Abstract: A head immobilization device for an accident patient and a manufacturing blank of sheet material, such as cardboard, for making such a device are described. The manufacturing blank is H-shaped and provided with fold lines. The blank is folded to form the head immobilization device with a pair of triangular cylinders which extend longitudinally upward from the top surface of a head support center section on opposite sides of such section to prevent lateral movement of the head. The head immobilization device is provided with adhesive tape on the bottom surface of the center section to attach such device to a flat support such as a back-board. Ear hole slots are provided in the inner sides of the triangular cylinders to enable examination of the ears. The sides of the triangular cylinders are releasably fastened by hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A massage device having kneading balls includes a vibrating device provided between each of the kneading balls and a connecting member for vibrating the ball. The connecting member is a spring, such as a coiled spring, which is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to its axis. The connecting member is attached to a rotary plate rotatable inside a housing, eccentrically with respect to the rotary plate and rotatable relative thereto. The housing is further provided therein with a rotation control device for preventing the connecting member from rotating about its own axis with the rotation of the rotary plate. This prevents the vibrating device on the connecting member and the kneading ball from rotating with the rotation of the rotary plate.

Abstract: A sublaminar wire for connecting a spinal column corrective device to a spinal column has first and second end portions. A flat center portion extendable under the lamina of a vertebra of the spinal column has a larger cross-sectional area than each of the cross-sectional areas of the first and second end portions.

Abstract: An improved rotary bed apparatus with a supplemental pneumatic support is provided for imparting rotary motion to a bed supporting a subject thereon. Switches associated with the apparatus are provided to cut off rotary power and move the bed to a safe dismount position when the power is cut off by the subject or attendant or in the event a subject accidentally falls or moves from the bed surface.

Abstract: The present invention sets forth a cover for orthopedic splinting rods which in its broadest sense consists of a single sheet of material which is formed into a cylinder having a longitudinal slit up its side and a curved top of the cap to allow for natural resilience of the cap to hold the walls of the cap against the edges of the ends of the splinting rods to insure retention of the cap on the ends of the splinting rods. An embodiment for external use encases the metal cap in a plastic housing having a gripping means to assist in the installation of the cap on the ends of the splinting rod. The external housing has smooth surfaces to avoid and minimize any trauma to surrounding body tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to splints and the method of manufacturing these splints for first aid or emergency rescue use, and has particular reference to an improved hinge and pivot splint having angular adjustment and securing devices.

Abstract: The baby teething gum massager has a body in the shape of a figure eight with a forward curved portion dimensioned to fit within a child's opened mouth and a rearward curved portion which is wider than a child's mouth, the forward curved portion containing a plurality of tufts of bristles embedded on opposite sides of the forward portion in a conventional manner to provide a large number of contact surfaces and permit flexing of the bristles when the infant bites down so that the cusp tips of the unerupted teeth can bite into the bristles to assist in forcing the teeth through the soft tissue of the gums.

Abstract: A birthing drape for catching body fluids expelled during birth and for precluding the fluids from splashing onto assisting personnel has a web of plastic material having first and second spaced apart ends and a pair of laterally spaced apart edges extending between the first and second ends. A support portion upon which the buttocks of a birthing woman may be positioned is defined at one end and a catch portion extends from the support portion to the second end. A splash guard in the form of a bulbous formation is formed at the second end and an opening is formed in the catch portion between the support portion and the splash guard. The opening has a mouth for receiving and storing body fluids. Elastic strips extend within pockets along the respective lateral edge, each strip having an end secured to the support portion and to the catch portion adjacent the splash guard but being free to move within the remainder of the respective pocket.

Abstract: A device for stimulating the skin of an individual by an applicator which has a head containing solenoid-operated plungers. The solenoids' windings are duty-cycle operated by associated oscillator/driver circuits to cause their plungers to repeatedly impact the skin with relatively small force impulses so that the skin as distinguished from muscles is affected. By repeated minute stimulation of the skin in the vicinity of pain, a hypnotic type of effect that can alleviate pain symptoms has been found to occur. The solenoids are operated in particular modes which are other than one in which all solenoids are simultaneously energized and de-energized in unison.

Abstract: The finger splint an elastic sleeve for enclosing a finger with an injured joint includes. The sleeve is tapered slightly to conform to the shape of the finger. A gel pack is incorporated into the sleeve to either heat or cool the injured joint. A strap is attached at each end of the sleeve, to be wrapped around the adjacent uninjured finger to hold the injured finger to the adjacent finger, while permitting normal active motion of the fingers. Velcro (.TM.) patches are provided to secure the straps to hold the two fingers together.

Abstract: A motor operated massager has a DC motor and an applicator driven thereby at a variable operation speed to apply a massaging action to a user's body during which the motor suffers a varying load in consequence of that the applicator means is pressed at a varying force against the user's body. A control is made to keep the operation speed at a selected level in accordance with a varying load requirement until the load reaches a tolerable load limit which is determined in correspondence to the selected operation speed. When the load increases beyond the tolerable limit, the motor is controlled differently to decrease the operation speed to such an extent as to follow the load increase until the load reaches a predetermined maximum load limit. Upon reaching the maximum load limit, the motor is stalled while limiting a motor current to a fixed level.

Abstract: A medullary nail (10) has a cavity (12) in which an inner part (20) can slide longitudinally without being able to rotate. The wall (11) of the medullary nail (10) which forms the cavity (12) is traversed on opposite sides by an elongated hole (16) in the region of the driving-in end (14). At least one fastening hole (22) aligned flush with the elongated hole (16) is provided in the inner part (20). When the connecting screws are driven into the spaced fastening holes (15, 16, 22) and an osteotomy is located between the connecting screws (15, 22), the edges of the osteotomy are moved apart as the inner part slides longitudinally, and the slowly widening gap between the edges of the osteotomy becomes filled with bone tissue.

Abstract: A bone rasp for preparing the medullary canal of the femur includes a rasp blade portion shaped and tapered so as to conform to the medullary canal and a handle portion which is designed to be manually attached to the rasp blade and detached from the rasp blade for sterilizing and storing. The handle portion is arranged into two components which are pivotally connected and pinned together. The stationary portion of the handle attaches directly to the rasp blade and the movable or adjustable portion is pinned to the stationary portion at a pivoting location and secured in a selected orientation by a second pin. A series of seven oblong slots are disposed in the stationary portion and arranged on 71/2.degree. intervals so as to give the adjustable portion of the handle an approximate 45.degree. range of adjustment.

Abstract: A three dimensional spine fixation system includes a rigid rod spanning the length of spine to be fixed, a plurality of threaded fasteners to be embedded in the spine, and at least two connectors for connecting the rod to the fasteners. The connectors are extremely adaptable to virtually any desired path for the rod, being fixably movable longitudinally, transversely, or angularly relative to the fasteners, as well as rotationally about the fasteners and rotationally about a predetermined axis angled with respect to the fasteners. By properly positioning the connectors and fasteners, the rod can be easily positioned without bending for virtually any anatomy, due to the ability to move the connectors multi-axially and in three dimensions.

Abstract: A foot massager in which dual soapstone massaging rollers are maintained at a temperature commensurate with the individual users' particular needs. The rollers are first removed from the foot massager and then heated by any of the following methods: soaking in hot water; sunlight; placed on a stove/range or any other known method of thermal transfer. The rollers are then placed back onto the foot massager unit. The massager unit consists of a wooden base frame which provides both support for the rollers and further provides an upwardly extending slot for encapsulating the rollers allowing both freedom of rotational movement and ease of removal and replacement.

Abstract: A modulator apparatus for use in the preparation of bone surfaces and the implantation of a modular total knee prosthesis in a patient, which apparatus comprises cutting guides, templates, alignment devices, a distractor and clamping instruments which provide modularity and facilitate bone resection and prosthesis implantation.

Abstract: A plurality of individually controlled pressure applying devices with a scalp contacting member, which are controlled by a computer, is attached to a helmet or a cap-like unit, each over an opening formed at locations which would correspond to the desired pressure points of the scalp. Each of the openings receives a pressure applying device, such as an electrical servo motor, stepmotor, or solenoid, and a hydraulic or pneumatic plunger, etc. The pressure applying device may be non-adjustably or adjustably mounted to the helmet. The pressure applying device can be attached to the helmet in any conventional manner so long as the pressure applying device is rigidly attached to the helmet so that the scalp contacting member can make a firm contact and apply pressure to the scalp. Each of the pressure applying devices is individually controlled, i.e., for time duration and the frequency of pressure application.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for enhancing venous circulation in persons having venous insufficiencies and/or for effecting muscular massage for preventing muscle atrophy. This is attained by a wrap or sleeve adapted to circumscribe the portion of the body to be treated which includes an inflatable flexible tubing or tube which is inflated and deflated for producing a smooth, progressive massaging force on the body portion being treated. In one form of the invention, a plurality of independent inflatable tubes are arranged to circumscribe the body portion to be treated and are arranged to be sequentially inflated by a valving piston reciprocating in a supply manifold disposed in communication with each of the independent inflatable tubes.

Abstract: A novel vacuum massage device adapted for speedily massaging the male genital organ. The vacuum massage device comprises an elongated cylindrical receptacle having first and second ends, a deformable cone-shaped member detachably coupled to the first end of the receptacle and having an opening provided at the central region thereof, and a pump mechanism coupled to the second end of the receptacle via a flexible hose for producing a vacuum within the receptacle. The receptacle includes a relief valve for controlling the vacuum produced therewithin.

Abstract: A process of normalizing soft tissue in a human subject by a therapist includes the steps of locating dysfunctional soft tissues in the body of the subject, lightly palpating the area in such a way as to detect restrictions in the skin, detecting rope-like barriers or patterns, sensing the potential movement of the patterns, allowing the presence of the therapist's fingers to stimulate movement of the patterns, following the movement with the fingers of the therapist without applying substantial force, so that the presence of the therapist's fingers against the patterns continues to stimulate movement without forcing the movement, until the dysfunctional soft tissues are normalized