Abstract: In device for placing a toe of a patient's foot in traction may broadly include a shoe portion (e.g., a sole, counter, and strap(s)); a toe attachment apparatus (e.g., a Chinese finger trap) having a cable extending therefrom; a pulley, with the cable wrapped about the pulley; and an apparatus (e.g., a ratchet, an actuator, and the like) configured to apply tension to the cable to create traction in the toe. A second actuator may adjust lateral positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of adduction for the traction provided to the toe by the cable. A meter may be coupled to the cable to indicate an amount of tension provided thereto. Another actuator may adjust elevational positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of dorsiflexion for the traction provided to the toe by the cable.

Abstract: A device that decompresses the lower spine while the wearer is seated or standing. The device includes two belt-shaped straps. The first strap circles the upper torso just below the breast line. The second strap circles the waist at or slightly above the normal belt line riding on the hip. In embodiments of the invention, the lower strap can be a normal belt. The straps can be equipped with pockets that are aligned along the upper edge of the upper strap and the lower edge of the lower strap designed to receive and hold flat splints. Typically, two rigid flat splints extend vertically between the straps centered laterally on the left and right sides of the torso. When the device is worn, it decompresses the lower spine when the person stands or sits.

Abstract: A surgical boot system and sleeve accessory for hip distraction. The surgical boot system includes an L-shaped rigid shell having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A soft liner is attached to the rigid shell and extends along at least one of the proximal portion and the distal portion. The surgical boot system also includes at least one strap assembly (which can be a plurality of strap assemblies) extending around the rigid shell. A load transmission hoop is connected to and extends around the distal portion of the rigid shell and an attachment point is connected to the load transmission hoop. The rigid shell is pivotable about the attachment point. Specifically, the attachment point is configured to interface with a hip distractor apparatus in a way that allows for multiple degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention provides protective repositioning appliances, accommodating mouth guards, and covering guards that protect an orthodontic patient against impact-induced injuries, as well as related systems and methods. A protective appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and reposition a patient's teeth and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. An accommodating mouth guard can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to accommodate a patient's teeth from a first arrangement to a second arrangement and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. A covering guard can include a guard segment that covers at least a portion of an appliance. The combination of a guard segment and an appliance can provide an occlusal compliance that absorbs impacts.

Abstract: A method of splinting limbs of a patient by a single person and an elongated splint device, for use in the method. The splint device has a first track member and second and third elongated riding members movably held and positioned on the first track member. The riding members are freely movable on the first track member along a single longitudinal axis to obtain a proper length for splinting and a releasable locking mechanism is included to maintain the selected length. Two or more adjustable belt elements are removably connected to the riding member and serve to affix the splint device to a patient in a proper splinting position.

Abstract: A low profile, lightweight hinged knee brace is provided for use in providing support to individuals having injuries to their ligaments. The brace includes an upper component that can be formed to fit the thigh of a wearer. The brace further includes a lower component that can likewise be formed to custom fit the calf of the wearer. Both the upper and lower components are encapsulated in a continuous liner. Between the upper and lower components are inflexible rigid members constructed of a lightweight yet durable material to provide strength and rigidity to the brace. The brace is constructed from a two dimensional structure which allows for malleability coupled to a formed three dimensional structure which provides stiffness and enhanced protection of the knee. Methods of treating injuries to a ligament of the knee are similarly provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical drape configured to selectively allow or block a patient's view of the surgical field, as is desired in Caesarean section operations. Generally, the drape includes a main sheet, a substantially transparent sheet attached to the main sheet proximal the patient's head, and a substantially opaque screen attached to the patient-facing side of the substantially transparent sheet. This substantially opaque screen occludes the patient's visual access through the substantially transparent sheet but may be at least partially removed to permit the patient viewing access through the substantially transparent sheet towards the area of the surgery, without compromising the sterility of the surgical field. Desirably, the drape is provided with an adhesive strip disposed on the sheet or screen to permit reconnection to thereby again occlude the patient's view through the sheet.

Abstract: A facemask includes an air-filtering portion comprising an air-permeable filtering media; a see-through portion in the filtering media; and a layered portion on each opposing side of the see-through portion. The see-through portion is configured so that, in use, a mouth of a wearer is visible therethrough, and is formed from a transparent film covering a void in, and fixed along its periphery to, the filtering media. The film extends across the length of the facemask, including over the void, forming layered portions of film on filtering media on opposing sides of the clear-portion. A method of manufacture includes removing, e.g., kiss-cutting, the air-permeable filtering media away to form the see-through portion, after layering the film onto the filtering media.

Abstract: Spinal support devices and methods of use. Support devices have a base unit, a neck support unit defining a first end, an upper thigh support unit defining a second end, and a mid-back support unit positioned between said neck and upper thigh support units, wherein the neck, upper thigh, and mid-back support units each have a convex shaped topside with an apex that is configured to align within designated concave shaped areas on the user's backside.

Abstract: A shoulder hold-down is provided for use in securing at least a shoulder of a patient in position relative to a surgical frame. The shoulder hold-down includes a locking mechanism that is adjustable to afford positioning of a shoulder engaging portion for contacting the patient.

Abstract: A surgical drape having an attachable fluid control pouch and geometric alignment feature are described. The surgical drape may be fenestrated and include a base drape panel, an absorbent intermediate panel, and a mounting panel. The mounting panel may have a fluid impervious top surface that forms a higher quality adhesive seal with the adhesive attachment areas of the fluid control pouch. The surgical drape panels may be joined together by a continuous fluid impervious seal surrounding the fenestration. The fluid control pouch attachment edge may include a geometric structure that aligns with a corresponding geometric structure of the fenestration such that the fluid control pouch can be effectively positioned regardless of its rotational orientation relative to the surgical drape.

Abstract: An anatomical brace for dynamically stabilizing the elbow during elbow articulation, the anatomical brace comprising: a brace body comprising a distal portion for fitting over the forearm of a user and a proximal portion for fitting over the upper arm of a user; a hinge mechanism comprising a distal segment, a proximal segment and a pivot for pivotally connecting the distal segment and the proximal segment, the distal segment of the hinge mechanism being mounted to the distal portion of the brace body and the proximal segment of the hinge mechanism being mounted to the proximal portion of the brace body; a pivot cable guide mounted to the anterior portion of the pivot; an upper arm cable guide mounted to at least one of the proximal segment of the hinge mechanism and the proximal portion of the brace body, the upper arm cable guide being configured to change the direction of a cable extending through the upper arm cable guide; an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) cable guide mounted to the brace body and config

Abstract: A mandible support device for use with the maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth of a patient includes a first tray configured to engage one or more of the maxillary teeth, a second tray configured to engage one or more of the mandibular teeth, and a spacer having a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface is coupled to the first tray and the second surface is coupled to the second tray. The spacer is configured to position the first tray and the second tray in a centric occlusion orientation.

Abstract: A drape for a piece of equipment used during a medical procedure may be formed of a flexible sheet of polymeric material. The flexible sheet can have a basin portion shape-indexed to a basin or reservoir of the piece of equipment over which the drape is intended to be draped. The flexible sheet can also have a side sheet portion connected to the basin portion. The side sheet portion can drape down the basin or reservoir of the piece of equipment over which the drape is draped. The basin portion of the flexible sheet can be collapsible. As a result, the drape can be collapsed into planar package for storage. Upon being removed from the package, the basin portion of the drape can be expanded to conform to the walls of the basin of the piece of equipment over which the drape is deployed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fast-action clamping device includes a handle including rod recesses, a tension rod and a link lever that can apply a fast-action clamping to a portion of an object that can have a rod-shaped from. The device is formed in that sections of an object may be received in the rod recesses and clamped in a clamping position without a clamping position of the link lever, set by a user, being able to pass into a non-clamping position. It also relates to a surgical device which includes such a fast-action clamping device.

Abstract: A structure includes a base comprising a first ramp and an opposing, second ramp. The structure further includes a shell frame having an inner surface configured to a shape of a body part and an outer convex surface, wherein the outer convex surface of the shell frame rides upon, and moves relative to, upper surfaces of the first ramp and the second ramp to enable a pitch of the shell frame to be adjusted relative to the base.

Abstract: A rail assembly for a knee positioning system that includes a base and a pair of rails removably coupled to the base. Each of the rails defines a plurality of positioning slots formed therein, each of the positioning slots being at least partially aligned with a corresponding positioning slot of the other rail. At least one of the rails and the base form at least one cleanout channel therebetween that is configured to receive a cleaning fluid for removing contaminants that collect on the at least one rail and the base.

Abstract: A bandage system lances a skin tag from a person's body and thereafter projects the wound created. The system has a base layer that is adhesively attached to the person such that the skin tag passes through an opening of the base layer. A cutter is located atop the base layer and uses a pair of blades that are squeezed together to cut the skin tag protruding through the opening. After cutting, a protective layer is adhered to the base layer such that a medicine laden absorbent pad on the protective layer overlays the opening on the base layer absorbing any blood from the wound and applying the medicine to the wound. Thereafter, the system is worn as a typical bandage.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a base extending in a horizontal plane, a support post extending along a vertical axis, a detachable headrest subassembly attached to an end of the support post opposite the base, an arm rest subassembly attached to the support post between the headrest subassembly and the base, a thoracic support subassembly attached to the support post between the armrest subassembly and the base, A thoracic support cushion is attached to the support post by a bar. The attachment is reconfigurable to vary an orientation and location of the cushion with respect to the vertical axis, a footrest subassembly attached to the support post between the thoracic support subassembly and the base, and a digital device holder attached to the positioned device by a flexible arm, the flexible arm configured to support a digital device in view of the patient during use of the positioning device.

Abstract: A mandibular advancement device having a first frame and a second frame, the first frame having a first occlusal surface and a first generally U-shaped groove, the second frame having a second occlusal surface and second generally U-shaped groove, the mandibular advancement device having a first rib protruding from the first occlusal surface of the first frame, a first upstanding sidewall protruding from the first occlusal surface of the first frame, a first inner surface of the first upstanding sidewall, the first inner surface generally parallel to, offset from, and facing the first rib, a first set of teeth on the inner surface of the first upstanding wall, the first set of teeth facing the first rib and orthogonal to the first occlusal surface, a first channel of the second occlusal surface of the second frame, the first channel in relative position to interface with the first rib, an opening of the first channel, the opening of the first channel having a width that is narrower than a width of the first r