Abstract: An improved ventilator which delivers ventilatory support that is synchronized with the phase of the patent's respiratory efforts and guarantees a targeted minimum ventilation. Improved synchronization is achieved through an instantaneous respiratory phase determination process based upon measured respiratory airflow as well as measured respiratory effort using an effort sensor accessory, preferably a suprastemal notch sensor. The ventilator processes a respiratory airflow signal, a respiratory effort signal and their respective rates of change to determine a phase using standard fuzzy logic methods. A calculated pressure amplitude is adjusted based upon the calculated phase and a smooth pressure waveform template to deliver synchronized ventilation.

Abstract: An orthotic device for absorption of heel shock, treating edema and swelling and for lessening pain. It is comprised of an elastic sleeve adapted to fit over the foot and heel of a person. The sleeve includes a shock absorbing heel pad inside of the sleeve in a position to be disposed under the heel when the sleeve is worn around the heel. The sleeve is of elastomeric material providing compression to treat edema and swelling. The pad may be a polymeric plastisol material which can be cooled to provide cold therapy and positioned under the heel to provide cushioning and shock absorption.

Abstract: A traction device for applying traction to a patient's leg while supporting the patient's foot to avoid foot drop and heel or lateral malleolar pressure ulcers. The device includes a body having forefoot and lower leg portions, a continuous cavity within the forefoot and lower leg portions, and an anterior opening sized to permit a patient's foot and lower leg to pass therethrough into the cavity. The body supports the patient's lower leg so that the patient's heel is suspended within the cavity. Elements adjustably close the anterior opening and traction straps are removably attached to lateral regions of the body and extend from the forefoot portion. The interior surface of the cavity provides a sufficiently high friction interface with the patient's lower leg to prevent sliding of the body on the lower leg when full traction loads are applied through the traction straps.

Abstract: A planar wound dressing for the heel of the foot, having an adhesive layer with a backing layer, and three slits which can be reversibly closed and joined to form a non-planar wound dressing that conforms to and adheres to the heel of the foot. The wound dressing is constructed so that one slit is placed over the Achilles tendon, the second slit is placed over the inner ankle, and the third slit is placed over the outer ankle. With this orientation after closure of the slits the wound dressing covers the heel uniformly without wrinkles, gaps, leakage, contamination, or infection. The wound dressing is particularly useful in protecting and preventing blisters on the heel that occur in sports such as soccer, track, and the like.

Abstract: An inhaler for holding a canister (2) of medicament. The canister (2) has a mount (26) secured thereto mounting an indication member (41) movable slidably from a first state to a second state. A ratchet arrangement (41a, 42) is provided between the mount (26) and the indication member (41) to make the movement irreversible. The inhaler has a catch (49) for moving the indication member from the first state to the second state on removal of the canister (2) from the inhaler. An electrical switch contact (48) detects the state of the indication member (41), thereby providing an indication of whether the canister (2) has been used before. An LCD display is controlled in response to the detection.

Abstract: A hip orthosis includes a hip engaging unit that can be secured to the contours of a human hip. An appendant orthotic member is formed to extend diagonally about and to be fixed to a human appendage. A connector assembly, with a support plate with a curved configuration at an anchor location to permit adjustment, interconnects the hip engaging member and the appendant member and includes an articulated joint member to control flexion, extension, abduction and adduction. The joint members can include an adjustable linkage system extending across and connected to both sides of the articulated joint. A first link member can be adjusted in length to control the movement of the articulated joint.

Abstract: An orthotic foot device that can be fastened to a person's bare foot is provided. The orthotic has a U-shaped hindfoot supporting region and an arched midfoot supporting region. A method for stabilizing and supporting a bare foot with the orthotic is also provided. The orthotic can be taped to a bare foot so that the foot is held in a neutral position upon foot impact. The orthotic is particularly suitable for bare foot athletes such as dancers and gymnasts.

Abstract: A barrier device for applying a surgical cloth adjacent to the location on a patient's body where a surgical intervention is to be performed, the barrier device having an upper side of which a part is intended to abut against the underside of the surgical cloth. An underside is intended to abut against the patient's skin. The barrier device has a front edge and a rear edge near and at a distance from, respectively, the location on the patient's body where the surgical intervention is to be performed. The barrier device is on its underside at the front edge provided with a first adhesive portion, and on its upper side provided with a protruding, elongate and flexible fastening flap which on the side facing the rear edge is provided with a second adhesive portion for adhesion to the surgical cloth.

Abstract: The device for creating a curtain of air across the face is a headset with a fan mounted thereon. The outlet of the fan has flexible tubing or cowling which allows for control of both direction and cross section of a curtain of air that crosses the face. The curtain of air prevents airborne particles and chemicals from making contact with the face.

Abstract: A casting product for forming a hard structure about an object including a flexible fibrous substrate impregnated with a fluid-activated resin and a protective flexible casing surrounding the impregnated substrate. The casing includes a sealable passageway defined between the atmosphere and the interior of the casing, and is configured to permit injection of fluid, and removal of vapors and extant fluid with a vacuum from the casing.

Abstract: The present application discloses an open air wrist brace for use in supporting the wrist in an anatomically neutral position, or in a position that permits therapeutically-useful extension, without increasing pressure on the carpal tunnel, median nerve or flexor tendons in the forearm.

Abstract: A harness assembly for a nasal mask for communicating breathable gas to a patient's airways, for example, in the administering of CPAP or like breathable gas delivery treatments, includes a cap portion adapted to engage, in use, the occipital region of the skull. The cap portion includes a connector at each end. The harness assembly also includes a pair of upper and lower straps, each of the straps extending between one of the cap connectors and the nasal mask. The harness assembly grips the head in a region substantially fixed relative to the face and, as such, tension of the straps is not substantially affected by head movement.

Abstract: A wrist brace for relaxing extensor musculature in a forearm having a first body, a second body, and at least one hinge joint hinging the first and second body together. The first body is arranged to be secured to a forearm while the second body extends from the hinge to a palm of the hand belonging to the forearm. A force generator, such as a leaf spring, is adapted to generate a moment of force between the first and second body, such that the second body, hinging relative to the first body, presses against the palm of the hand in a direction directed towards the upper side of the hand belonging to the palm, and wherein the moment of force is at least exerted on the hand when the hand is extended in line with the forearm.

Abstract: An ankle guard consisting of a band-shaped padding (14), with a substantially U-shaped longitudinal cross-section, which is configured to essentially cover the circumference of the foot in the vicinity of the ankle. A closure device (18) is provided to close the open section of the U-shaped padding, allowing the ankle guard to be put on in a particularly simple manner. The padding (14) comprises an internal section (20), facing towards the foot (12) and an external section (22), facing away from the foot (12) which consist of a durable material and are connected in a fixed manner at the edges of their outer peripheries. A foam cushion (24) is positioned between the internal section (20) and the external section (22).

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for achieving control and stabilization of bone fractures in mammals, most specifically humans. Stabilization and traction is often required to support fractured bones of the arms or legs. The devices and methods disclosed herein are especially useful in the emergency or military setting. The devices utilize a collapsible frame that may be expanded and locked into position. The frame is fabricated primarily from polymeric materials with low radiodensity. The limb contact regions are adjustable to fit a wide variety of limb sizes and fracture locations. The traction applied by the splint is adjustable, controllable and measurable. The traction splint of the current invention is sufficiently compact that it will fit in a compartment of most ambulances and emergency rescue vehicles, thus making it more available for use than standard traction splints in use today. The traction splint is either a separate device or integrated into a backboard.

Abstract: A modular ankle-foot orthosis includes a lower leg and ankle support and a plantar foot support. The two components may be secured together to provide more complete support for a patient, as required. The two supports may be attached in various ways, such as a bottom heel clip extending from the foot support component, which secures through a passage in the heel of the lower leg and ankle support component. A tongue extends from the foot support clip, to capture the material at the edge of the lower leg and ankle support passage between the tongue and the foot support plate. The two components are quickly and easily assembled together and disassembled as required, to provide more versatile treatment for the patient. The complete structure, or any components thereof, is sufficiently thin to allow wear within a conventional walking shoe or the like.

Abstract: An adjustable knee brace for immobilization of a patient's knee in multiple adjustment angular inclinations for use in therapeutic applications. The knee brace has a sheet of cushion material which is adapted to be wrapped about and secured to the patient's leg by a pair of interconnected rigid upper and lower leg engagement plates and associated straps. The leg engagement plates are determined to be registerably engaged against the medial aspect of the leg above and below the knee and have an adjustable articulated locking interconnecting hinge assembly extending there between. An independent knee engagement pad provides knee stabilization in cooperation with leg engagement plates.

Abstract: Advancements in bandages for treating puncture wounds shown and described herein include sealed bandage with flexible adhesive strips disposed on more rigid carriers with at least one separation line. Bending the sealed bandages separates the carrier along the path of the separation line(s) to thereby pull the strip away from the carrier in the vicinity of the separation line such that at least a portion of the carrier may be pulled from the strip and the bandage applied to a patient. This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules requiring an abstract to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure contained herein. This abstract is submitted with the express understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An externally mounted fixation device for craniomaxillofacial distraction osteogenesis, the device having a helmet to secure the device in a relatively rigid and immobile manner to the head of a patient, support structure to receive distraction components in fixed or adjustable spatial location relative to the patient's head, and distraction components to apply traction to the bones of the patient to be distracted.

Abstract: A bobbin assembly is provided that is suitable for dispensing webbed material using a power driven coupling in a toilet seat assembly having a housing with wall portions. The bobbin assembly comprises an extruded thermoplastic hollow tube having a plurality of splines disposed longitudinally therein and an end cap assembly adapted for connection to the wall portion. The splines are constructed and arranged in mating inter-engagement with the power driven coupling. The end coupling is spring biased toward the hollow tube to mate with the hollow tube. The bobbin assembly allows for identical supply and take-up bobbins.