Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor, preferably a radial compressor, to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of at least about 85% or 90% oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas can be stored in a buffer tank and prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply an amount of the enriched oxygen to a compressor. The radial compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and has radially arranged pistons. The radial compressor is compact and lightweight.

Abstract: A rear entry ankle brace for providing support and stability to an ankle includes a rigid internal support member covered on both sides by a soft durable material. The ankle brace is secured about a leg with an adjustable strap. A flexible heel is provided for facilitating walking.

Abstract: A closure system for orthoses that permits a first body member conforming to a portion of a patient's torso to be connected through the closure system, with a second body member conforming to another portion of a patient's torso. The closure system includes a first connector member with a first series of plastic molded channels and a second connector member with a second series of plastic molded channels with an elongated flexible pull member operatively weaving around the respective first and second series of plastic molded channels to provide a mechanical force advantage when tightened by the patient to draw the first body member and the second body member against the patient's torso to exert compression forces. The elongated flexible pull member can comprise a cord such as a polyester cord with an exterior braided configuration.

Abstract: An external wound dressing retainer includes a frame having an opening substantially surrounded by the frame, wherein the opening is bounded by a plurality of edges, wherein the frame includes a first side and a second side including an adhesive for adherence to skin of a patient; a flap having a plurality of edges, wherein the dimensions of the flap substantially correspond to the dimensions of the opening, and the flap is attached to the frame via a corresponding edge of the flap and the frame; and a sealing mechanism for releasably engaging non-attached edges of the flap to corresponding non-attached edges of the frame. The sealing mechanism is a zipper arrangement that includes complementary interlocking first and second grooves situated on the non-attached edges of the flap and the frame, respectively, further comprising a sliding element adapted to sealably join the first groove to the second groove.

Abstract: A below-knee orthotic device in which dorsal flexion and plantar flexion are enabled by a support spring connecting a lower leg sleeve and a foot sleeve. The support spring is clamped in the foot sleeve, so that a gap is formed between the heel part and the foot sleeve, wherein bending of the support spring in stepping direction is limited through a stop on the foot sleeve.

Abstract: An ankle support apparatus which is designed to protect the lateral maleolus ankle bone and the medial maleolus ankle bone. A cuff band is wrapped around the leg and a pair of elongated strap members are supported on the cuff band and on the shoe worn on the leg so that one elongated strap member is in front of the ankle bone and the other elongated strap member is behind the ankle bone.

Abstract: An orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first arm member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second arm member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. The second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member and travels trough the first extension member along an arcuate pat when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first arm member.

Abstract: A dressing and a method of manufacturing a dressing. The dressing comprising an absorbent support fabric (2), and a polyester fiber sheet (1) attached to one surface of the absorbent support fabric to provide a wicking path such that exudates contacting an outer surface of the fiber sheet are wicked to the absorbent support fabric. The outer surface of the polyester fiber sheet is heat treated to hinder individual fibers from extending out of the surface and thereby produce a glazed effect. This glazed surface inhibits the dressing from sticking to a wound, and impedes exudate transported within the dressing from returning to the dressing surface.

Abstract: A system for treating sleep-related breathing disorders. In one embodiment, the system includes a first magnetically susceptible material attached to a left lateral pharyngeal wall and a second magnetically susceptible material attached to a right lateral pharyngeal wall. The second magnetically susceptible material is positioned opposite the first magnetically susceptible material across an upper airway. The system further includes a first magnet disposed outside the body and lateral to the first magnetically susceptible material, and a second magnet disposed outside the body and lateral to the second magnetically susceptible material.

Abstract: A low-cost, light weight portable lumbar fraction device for home use by a patient including a support structure having a longitudinal axis and a carriage slidable along a portion of the support structure parallel to the longitudinal axis. The carriage includes a restraining mechanism adapted to releasably restrain a portion of a patient's body to the carriage. The pneumatic fraction force generating apparatus includes at least one pneumatic chamber and at least one air inlet. The pneumatic traction force generating apparatus is operatively coupled to both the carriage and the support structure to move the carriage relative to the support structure when the at least one pneumatic chamber is in a pressurized state. The pneumatic fraction force generating apparatus is adapted to maintain a generally static fraction force for a period in excess of 10 minutes when in the pressurized state without additional pressurized air being supplied.

Abstract: A traction chair system for efficiently relieving an individual of lower back pain. The traction chair system includes a chair frame, a seat, a plurality of actuators attached between the chair frame and the seat for elevating/lowering the seat, a backrest, a harness attached to the backrest for securing an individual to the backrest, a motor mechanically elevating/lowering the backrest, and a control unit in communication with the actuators and the motor. A scale is positioned within the seat and in communication with the control unit for providing feedback to the individual regarding the actual amount of traction occurring. The amount of traction being applied to an individual is shown upon a display of the control unit.

Abstract: Medical adhesive dressings are disclosed having handle members adhered to polymeric film layers by a layer of adhesive which adheres firmly to the polymeric film layer, but does not adhere to skin or to the silicone coated surface of a release liner. A portion of the handle extends beyond an edge of the polymeric film to facilitate separation of the film from the release liner, and handling thereof during application to a patient. The adhesive adhering the polymeric film to the patient's skin is more aggressive with respect to the patient's skin than the adhesive on the undersurface of the handle is to the polymeric film, whereby the handle can be peeled away from the polymeric film after the film has been applied to the patient.

Abstract: A cervical collar has a back panel coupled to a movable element to provide adjustable pressure to the back of a wearer's neck, to thereby assist adoption of a proper cervical curvature.

Abstract: A hinged dorsal carpal tunnel brace comprises a first substantially arcuate splint portion for fastening to a dorsal side of a patient's forearm. The first splint portion includes at least one strap for fastening the first arcuate splint portion to the patient's forearm. A second splint portion attaches to a dorsal side of the patient's hand and includes at least one strap for fastening to the patient's hand. A hinge pivotally connects the first splint portion to the second splint portion and allows pivotal motion through a preselected arcuate distance in radial and ulnar directions.

Abstract: An eye-wear article (93) for use with a respiratory mask (1) comprises a flat piece of transparent polymeric material providing a visor portion. The flat piece of polymeric material has shaped portions in a lower edge that fit over respective selected parts of the mask, and elongate tabs (95) that extend from each side and are inserted into respective guides (97) on the head harness (7, 8) of the mask to cause the flat piece of polymeric material to adopt a curved configuration and locate the visor portion in front of the eyes of the wearer. The tabs (95) can slide in the guides (97) to permit the eye-wear article to be moved out of engagement with the mask and onto the top of the wearer's while the mask is being worn, without disturbing the position of the mask on the wearer's face and without affecting the respiratory protection provided by the mask.

Abstract: A garment comprising a stretch fabric wherein the garment covers at least a part of the lower body of a wearer, has a crotch part, and is worn by being fitted to the wearer's body, wherein the garment in part has a first portion with a strong straining force; first portion with a strong straining force is a strong straining portion (A); right and left parts of the portion (A) are connected at a second position on the back side of the garment corresponding to any region from os sacrum to vertebrae lumbalis of the wearer's body; and the portion (A) covers a region extending from second position through tops of bulges of the buttocks or vicinities thereof approximately in the direction of muscle fibers of musculus gluteus maximus at right and left to at least the vicinity of trochanter major.

Abstract: A sterile ocular cover for an eye during surgery which includes a sheet member with a centrally located hole. The sheet member is made from a flexible material and it is designed to be placed over and in contact with the surface of the conjunctiva. The hole is slightly larger than the size of the cornea and it extends through the central portion of the sheet member.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a wound dressing includes a wound treatment composition including at least one absorbent or adsorbent compound contained within a sheath having an operatively inner and an operatively outer wall. A surface of the operatively inner wall of the wound dressing, that is to contact a wound in use, is a substantially smooth continuous surface conveniently of a plastic inner wall, selected for easy release from a wound. The inner wall is perforated to enable exudates or slough to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, a wound treatment composition includes an absorbent material, preferably silica, for adsorbing moisture on or around a wound and a collagen, conveniently gelatin.

Abstract: An arm brace comprising an elongated relatively stiff support configured for application adjacent the inner side of the arm and for nesting adjacent the obtusely angled inner side zone of the partly bent arm opposite the elbow; retainer straps carried by the support near opposite ends thereof, to be independently tightened about the arm at retention locations spaced from a shallow angle shaped mid-section of the support, whereby the user's arm is maintained in shallowly bent condition by the brace.

Abstract: A traction collar includes a body having an axial extension. The body is equipped with inflatable sections and a device for supplying air to the sections or to dispose of air from the sections. The traction collar is manufactured from cellular plastic material, or a material having corresponding properties. Each of the sections has at least one compartment provided in the body and an air cushion is provided in the compartment.