Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint comprises in one embodiment a base having an opening, a buttress secured to the base sheet member, a tensioning member secured to the base sheet member, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the buttress, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the tensioning member, a pair of compression members formed from the base, and a stabilizing member secured to an edge of the base. A method of stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint during physical activities comprises in one embodiment the steps of positioning a support brace having an opening against the knee, extending a portion of the brace against the knee to apply a first force against portions of the knee in the opening, and extending another portion of the brace against the knee to apply a second force against the knee.

Abstract: An orthopedic splint, which, as part of an orthosis, is intended to bear on a part of the body, can be used with different configurations. The splint consists of two round rods (2, 3) which are arranged approximately in a plane (9) and whose ends on both sides are inserted rotatably in round seats (8) of two endpieces (1, 4). Both round rods (2, 3) are designed with at least one angled part (5, 6) in the plane (9). The round seats (8) of an endpiece (1, 4) form an acute angle with respect to one another and are designed with an excess dimension relative to the inserted end so that, by rotating the round rods (2, 3), different relative angles extending out from the plane (9) can be set between the endpieces (1, 4) in two end settings.

Abstract: A leg support system for transferring weight support from the ankle region of a leg to the upper portion of the calf just below the knee includes a weight-bearing support cuff and a pair of support members each having a foot portion positioned even or slightly lower than the natural position of the foot of the user.

Abstract: A construction protective covering for covering and protecting delicate finishes on previously installed bathroom components on a construction job site from damage due to dropped tools and construction workers working in the vicinity of the installed component includes a double skinned, sheeted material protective covering having a center material between the double skins, the protective covering being sized to install within and cover either a bathtub or a shower stall enclosure including its front face and floor, the sheeted material having a thickness of from about ?? to about 5? thick, such that the sheeted material covering protects the shower stall enclosure and its floor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting movement of a patient's head. The apparatus includes a frame and a plurality of constraints engaged with the frame to exactly constrain the patient's head relative to the frame.

Abstract: A portable lumbar traction device wherein a variable tension system allows the user to manually manipulate a level of tension using a ratcheting device while undergoing a traction procedure. The invention easily and quickly anchors to a door frame and includes one or more springs to create tension in the device. A belt or harness worn by the user couples to a cable or tether in tension with the spring, and the ratcheting device incrementally increases the tension when actuated by the user until the desired tension level is achieved.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage allows one-handed (single-finger) lifting and placing, whereby the bandage can be quickly lifted from a supply container and accurately placed on a skin wound. The bandage consists of a tape whose upper surface has a finger-spot adhesive, and whose lower surface has adhesive for skin adhesion, and has a compressible-resilient pad for determinate pressure on a bleeding wound. Recessed embodiments are also taught. A tabbed-tissue is adhered to the bandage top as a separator in a supply container with a plurality of bandages, the tab useful as an alternative for lifting and placing the bandage.

Abstract: Devices and methods to heat and cool human beings, including inducing and maintaining hypothermia in human patients. Methods include inducing hypothermia to treat ischemic events, including heart attack and stroke, to limit damage caused by the ischemic event. Methods can include: using the lungs for heat exchange; using cooled gases for ventilation; using helium in the ventilation gas mixture, using medications to control reflex heat production; and injecting a perfluorocarbon mist into the gas stream to increase the cooling rate. The high thermal conductivity and diffusivity of helium results in greater inspired gas temperature equalization toward body temperature. Due to the latent heat of vaporization, addition of even small quantity of phase-change perfluorocarbon dramatically increases the heat carrying capacity of the respiratory gases. Hypothermia may be terminated by discontinuing the medications and warming the patient using a warmed helium-oxygen mixture.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube introducer (“introducer”) that slides within an endotracheal tube. The introducer has a tubular wall that defines a lumen extending between a split proximal end and a distal end of the introducer. The tubular wall has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the endotracheal tube. The tubular wall is circumscribed by an invertible shroud. The invertible shroud flexes distal-ward (“forward”) proximal-ward (“rearward”). The proximal end of the introducer is introduced into a distal end of the endotracheal tube and the shroud is manually retroflexed rearward to cover the sharp margins of the end of the endotracheal tube prior to its insertion into a patient's airway. After the endotracheal tube has been properly positioned, the introducer is withdrawn, the motion of its withdrawal anteflexing the shroud forward for removal through the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A hinge provided with a first part and a second part, which parts are able to turn relative to one another from a first position of the hinge into a second position of the hinge, the hinge being provided with a locking element for locking the hinge in the first position thereof, which locking element can move between a first position for releasing the hinge and a second position for locking the hinge. A locking element is fitted in a movable manner for moving under the influence of gravity, between the first position and the second position when the hinge sways.

Abstract: A suspension walker having a hard, outer boot shell with upright brace members attached on either side and a soft boot receivable thereon. The soft boot has a main pad in it with a removable, fitting pad or pads on top of the main pad. A cuff member is also provided that is securable to the patient's calf and to the upright brace members. In use, the fitting pad is removed during the initial fitting and subsequent uses to suspend the patient's foot in the walker. The cuff member is also infinitely adjustable along the brace members to vary the fit as desired.

Abstract: A system (A) for providing single continuous dose of a gaseous heliox mixture to a patient with breathing difficulty includes a device (1) providing a constant and continuous flow of the heliox mixture, and a gas storage tank (2) for the mixture. A flow control is selectively operated to initiate flow of the heliox to the patient. It has a locking mechanism to prevent it from being turned off after the flow begins. The regulator can be reset for reuse by a service entity.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly for mounting to the toilet bowl can be assembled and disassembled by aligning vanous components of the assembly at predetermined angles with respect to one another. The toilet seat assembly includes a housing defining a cavity for receiving a sleeve dispensing apparatus and a pair of mounting forks. The housing is rotatable between a predetermined assembly angle position where the housing can be installed or removed from the pair of mounting forks and positions beyond the assembly angle where the housing is securely seated within the pair of mounting forks.

Abstract: A lumbar support brace which is designed to create a tightening effect to push the abdominal contents and abdomen toward the spinal column and as a result creates and increases the hydraulic pressure inside the abdomen and pushes the tissues against the spinal column and straightens the spinal column. In addition, a U-shaped member supports the spine on either side and is connected to a pelvic support member so that the abdomen, spine and pelvis are concurrently supported. The key feature of the present invention is that the support is a dynamic support which enables the wearer to engage in vigorously physical activity.

Abstract: A spacer assembly for a ventilator or other respiratory equipment for dispensing aerosol drugs from metered dose inhaler (MDI) canisters or nebulized drugs from a nebulizer into a respiratory gas stream delivered from a ventilator or other respiratory equipment connected to a patient. The improvements involve optimizing the shape of the spacer assembly body member and providing an efficient MDI nozzle assembly to allow maximal evaporation of the propellant before the propellant droplets impact the walls of the body member while providing a compact volume for directing the output of an MDI canister or a nebulizer into the gas stream.

Abstract: Knee braces generally have been rigid in both the knee bending direction and in the knee straightening direction unless a manually operated release is incorporated in them to allow the knee to bend. Desirably a braced knee joint should effectively duplicate the compound, complex, actions of a normal knee. The key to knee braces is the knee joint housing. The housing herein carries a number of cam action pawls, with teeth adapted to engage the internal teeth of a ratchet ring mounted in the housing. Cam action return springs and the shape of the cam action pawl teeth allow rotation of the ratchet ring in a leg straightening direction while still supporting a load. The leg can then be extended during walking while at the same time being prevented by the cam action pawls from buckling in the knee bending direction.

Abstract: A system and method for the remote administration of respirator fit tests are disclosed, along with a system and method for administering qualitative respirator fit tests to two or more test subjects simultaneously. Remote administration of respirator fit tests involves the testing of test subjects located at one facility by a test administrator located at a different facility. The two facilities may be located, for example, in the same city, in different countries, etc. As a result, a single test administrator may, for example, be able to administrate fit tests with test subjects located in a variety of facilities in one day without traveling. Qualitative respirator fit testing systems and methods of the invention include multiple test stations and an aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering anaesthetic to human or animal patients. The apparatus is an anaesthetic machine which is arranged to mount components of an anaesthetic delivery circuit, and which includes a collector arrangement in the form of a manifold having a plurality of inlets and outlets. The manifold enables a reduction in the number of tubes connecting the various components in an anaesthetic system, which are normally required in prior art anaesthetic machines. The manifold also includes an arrangement which provides a Venturi effect on gas flow, and enables a pressure gauge to be mounted out of a patient breathing circuit. The machine is preferably portable.

Abstract: In an adjustable splint assembly having a lower strut and an upper strut, and having there between a pivotably mounted head portion defining a cam surface, the improvement comprising the lower strut being provided with a loading screw, a spring and a spring spacer with a graduated number series thereon all contained within an inner housing tube with a single window and wherein the lower strut has an outer lower leg tube provided with a series of windows, and depending on the length of the lower strut, the graduated number series will register with a window in said series of windows and the window of the inner housing tube so that the amount of tension being applied by the loading screw can be read at that particular window of the outer lower leg tube.

Abstract: An inflatable suspension harness/body jacket and method of use in medical partial weight-bearing therapy. The suspension harness/body jacket is fit onto a patient and has bladders that are inflated sufficiently to achieve a tight conforming fit. Deflating and re-inflating the bladders where necessary to re-achieve the tight conforming fit allows for successful weight-bearing therapy without discontinuing the therapy for an extended period or removing the patient. The suspension harness/body jacket has shoulder straps and jacket portions that may pass through D-rings that, when attached to a frame or other apparatus, provide additional offloading capacity.