Abstract: A massager for incorporation internally of a seat, and the seat, which may be reclinable, either in a seat portion thereof or a backrest or in both the seat portion and backrest for massaging an occupant seated or reclining on the seat. The massager has a pair of rotatable massage rollers extending longitudinally in opposite directions on a common longitudinal axis and are transported on a self-propelled carriage which travels alternately on two rectilinear paths in the form of parallel tracks. The carriage carries a pivot normal to the longitudinal axis of the massage rollers about which the longitudinal axis is selectively rotated by an electric motor so that the massage rollers are rotated in a circular path for massage different body parts of the seat occupant than when travelling on the rectilinear paths.

Abstract: A bone screw screwdriver and method for securely, positively locking a bone screw to the screwdriver. The screwdriver includes an extending handle through which a drive rod is slidingly disposed. A tongue at one end of the drive rod interlocks within a groove in the bone screw. The drive rod selectively locks within the handle to positively interlock the bone screw with the screwdriver. A tab on the screwdriver engages a corresponding recess on the bone screw to prevent rotation and removal of the bone screw from the screwdriver.

Abstract: A tubular support for positioning about a body joint is made of closed-cell neoprene and has an opening with an insert therein of a thinner elastic material to provide breathability and avoid bunching when flexing the joint. The thinner material of the insert is preferably attached to a frame that is then secured in the opening prior to forming the panel into the tubular shape.

Abstract: A foot sole massager includes a machine base supported on the ground by stands. A center opening is provided in the base, and two handrails extend upward at two opposite sides. Two lines of different massaging rods are arranged within the center opening. A first massaging rod includes plurality of raised portions, and a second massaging rod includes a plurality of tubular portions arranged in parallel. Each tubular portion includes a through hole, so that the second massaging rod is elastically deformable. A slide plate is disposed in contact with the massaging rods, and a motor is controlled to reciprocate the slide plate through an eccentric wheel and a link, causing the slide plate to turn the massaging rods to massage the user's soles. An adjusting mechanism is provided to change the turning angle of the massaging elements.

Abstract: A massage apparatus which includes a support platform mounting spaced bifurcated supports, each having a respective pivot leg mounted thereto projecting from the platform, with the pivot legs pivotally mounting a U-shaped handle thereto, with the U-shaped handle having extending therefrom a support shaft in a spaced relationship relative to the handle, and the support shaft having roller cylinders mounted thereon such that upon oscillation of the handle, the roller cylinders may be directed across an individual's back for massage thereof.

Abstract: Laser shields including the MEROCEL.RTM. brand hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal foam material, for covering an endotracheal tube, for covering parts of a patient's body, and for covering instruments and the like, and laser shields including a micro-corrugated metal foil layer.

Abstract: A belt for providing individual pressure points in a user's lower back region in order to alleviate back pain. The belt is secured about the waist and includes a main panel positioned against the lower back region. The main panel includes several apertures corresponding to possible points of therapy. Threaded pins are inserted into the apertures corresponding to a point in the lower back where pain is being experienced. The pins are rotated through the main panel into the lower back thus providing pressure to the point of interest in the lower back. The pressure can be adjusted by rotation of the pin as desired.

Abstract: A method of preventing skin abrasions and the like in patients whose legs are substantially locked together in juxtaposition. The method comprises the taking of an elongated flexible planar pad with a length extending from above the patient's knees to the bottom of the patient's foot. The width of the pad is approximately one-half of the girth of one of the patient's legs. The pad is placed between the patient's legs so that the opposite sides of the pad cover the inner surface of at least one leg from a point above the knee to a point substantially to the bottom of the foot of one leg. The pad is affixed to one leg of the patient at points above the knee and above the ankle of one leg to hold the pad against any substantial movement with respect to the one leg. The apparatus of this invention comprises a pad for the foregoing method. The pad is a flexible planar pad having a top, bottom, side edges, and opposite leg engaging surfaces.

Abstract: A multi-functional automatic circular massaging device including at least a pair of motors respectively disposed in a pair of housings to rotatively drive cams for creating a vibrating massaging effect, a soft pad formed with two lateral recesses for receiving the housings, a heating coil sandwiched between two layers of unwoven fabrics, a surface layer covering the soft pad, and a controlling box connected to the motors and an external power source. The surface layer is formed with alternating X-shaped protuberances and spherical bosses and alternating long and short rod-like protuberances disposed on four side edges of the surface layer. The controlling box includes a circuit board having a specific chip which controls the motors to output varying power at a predetermined time interval, creating sequential automatic circularly varying at least eight stages of massaging effect from strongest stage to weakest stage.

Abstract: A chair-type polyfunctional automatic massager which can be used selectively for either a rubbing motion or a finger pressing motion, is driven by one motor and can provide 5 different kinds of movements selectively at will by making the starter apparatus installed in the back of a chair raise and lower. The massager is made up of a driving mechanism which can independently rotate two kinds of driven shafts depending on the direction of rotation of a main spindle rotated by a starter motor. A driven shaft is attached to a rubbing ball mechanism and another driven shaft is attached to a finger pressing mechanism, with both mechanisms linked to a starter device through a connecting mechanism provided between the two mechanisms. A raising and lowering mechanism for the unit is connected with a tapping spindle which can rotate in a forward or reverse direction and is linked to a motor for raising and lowering the unit.

Abstract: Blood circulation in an injured human foot is involuntarily promoted in a cuum over-pressure cycle and in synchronism with the heart's systolic and diastolic pressure pulsations. In a preferred embodiment the circulation apparatus comprises an air tight boot contoured to the injured foot, a pulsed synchronized tourniquet for inhibiting blood flow to the injured foot during an over-pressure cycle and a control circuit which monitors the heart's systolic and diastolic pressure pulsations and provides electrical control signals to the pressure modulator to assure that the over-pressure and vacuum pulses are cyclic and in synchronism with the heart's systolic and diastolic pressure pulsations.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in spinal stabilization for fusing contiguous vertebra in an animal spine. The tool includes a distal end having external dimensions sized for the distal end to be inserted within the animal body and located against a tissue layer between contiguous vertebra. Cutting blades are carried on the distal end for cutting at least a portion of the layer and at least a portion of vertebra bodies to form a chamber within the contiguous vertebra. The cutting blades are selected for the chamber to be sized greater than the external dimensions of the distal end. A control element is provided for controlling a depth of cut of the cutting blade between at least first and second positions with the cutting blade retained within the external dimensions when in the first position and with the cutting blade extended to form the chamber when in the second position.

Abstract: A massaging machine includes a motor-driven hollow shaft including two ends each defining a slot. A shaft which includes a right-hand thread and a left-hand thread is insertable through the hollow shaft. A first distance-adjusting member includes a T-flange on an external surface and includes a right-hand thread on an internal surface for engaging with the right-hand thread on the shaft. A second distance-adjusting member includes a T-flange on an external surface and includes a left-hand thread on an internal surface for engaging with the left-hand thread on the shaft. Two cylinders each include an inclined face at an end and defines a T-slot in an internal surface for engaging with one of the T-flanges. Two sleeves are each insertable in one of the cylinders and are each mountable on one of the ends of the hollow shaft so that the T-flange of each sleeve is slidably received in one of the slots of the hollow shaft. Two wheels are each mounted by means of bearing on one of the sleeves.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating a patient by electrotherapy and fluidized bed thermal therapy. A body portion of a patient is submerged in a fluidizable bed of solid particles, and the bed is selectively fluidized and de-fluidized as desired while controlling the temperature of the bed of solid particles. Electrotherapy treatment is applied to the portion of the body of the patient submerged in the bed of solid particles through electrodes attached to the body part which are connected to an electrical generator which produces radio frequency signals in continuous or modulated modes. The electrotherapy and fluidized bed thermal therapy may be applied consecutively or concurrently to the body part for treatment thereof.

Abstract: A generally C-shaped support flange mounted to a footrest of a reclining chair that permits the pivoting of the footrest relative to the chair. The support flange structure mounts adjacent massaging rollers thereon and is secured to the support flange at a rear end wall portion thereof to permit an individual to selectively direct the individual's feet across the rollers for massaging action.

Abstract: An infant reflux restraint apparatus according to the present invention preferably has a wedge-shaped support member for readily positioning an infant on a support surface to thereby support an infant in a reclined position. A pair of side strips are secured to the wedge-shaped support member and are positioned on an upper surface thereof. The pair of side strips are spaced-apart in a generally parallel relationship and a sufficient amount so that an infant can be positioned therebetween. Each of the pair of side strips also longitudinally extends along adjacent respective sides of the infant. The apparatus further preferably has a head support member connected to the wedge-shaped support member and positioned on an upper medial portion of the upper surface thereof for supporting the infant's head when reclined thereon.

Abstract: An improved intra-uterine device which is a deformable element in the form of a plastic fibre (1) releasing a substance which is active into the uterine cavity, the fibre has several strands (3, 3') or loops (2) placed side by side and held together in one assembly zone (4) of reduced dimensions in relation to the length of the said strands or loops, and of an element for attaching it in the uterine cavity, the element being in the form of filament (5) carrying a securing element (6) for hooking to the tissue of the uterus, suitable for insertion with the aid of a needle, and integral with the the fibre. The device is applicable to the field of the intra-uterine contraceptive devices and of the devices for the treatment of the uterus.

Abstract: A multi-function cushion is provided having a slip cover, a soft pad enclosed within the slip cover, and having a plurality of magnets on the front side. A control panel with an outer instruction cover coupled to an inner housing chamber is disposed within a recess formed in the soft pad. The control panel includes a vibration switch, a heating switch and a power socket. A heating device is mounted between the front side of the soft pad and the slip cover, and is electrically connected with the heating switch of the control panel. A vibration motor disposed in the rear side of the soft pad is electrically connected with the vibration switch and the power socket of the control panel. A pressure switch is installed in the rear side of the soft pad and electrically connected with the power socket, the vibration switch and the heating device, whereby the cushion not only can support the user's lumbar region, but can also provide heating and massaging effects, and magnetic stimulation of the user.

Abstract: A screw and driver combination designed so that the screw is releasably axially couplable with the driver and so that the screw is positively rotatably engageable with the driver. The screw comprises an axial bore of circular cross section and a counterbore of polygonal cross section. The driver comprises a radially-compressible front portion sized to engage the axial bore of the screw with a minor spring interference fit and an intermediate portion sized to positively rotatably engage the counterbore of the screw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing accurate measurement, in the course of an A method andprocedure, of the length dimension of a bone joint movable between an extended and flexed position.