Abstract: An intra-oral mandibular advancement appliance to be inserted in the mouth of a patient so as to maintain an open airway to the patient's throat and thereby improve breathing during sleep. The mandibular advancement appliance has particular application for use by those wishing to reduce the effects of snoring and/or sleep apnea. The appliance includes an upper tray assembly against which is seated the patient's teeth carried by his upper jaw and a lower tray assembly against which the patient's teeth carried by his lower jaw are seated. The lower tray assembly is mated to and slidably adjustable by the patient relative to the upper tray assembly. By virtue of the foregoing, the position of the patient's lower jaw can be selectively and continuously moved forward with respect to the position of the upper jaw to prevent an occlusion of the airway as the patient's condition changes over time.

Abstract: A dental appliance may have an incisor reception zone and first and second canine reception zones. The top portions of the canine reception zones may have a greater thickness that the top portion of the incisor reception zone. The top portions of the canine reception zones may also be elastic.

Abstract: A mechanically advantaged progressive spinal system and method, wherein a string- and pulley-free strap arrangement facilitates adjustment of tension and enhances patient delivered muscle strength, wherein posterior plate curvature may be quickly and easily adjusted to best accommodate a patient's lordosis and kyphosis, and wherein modular components allow for adaptation of mobility and support to improving patient needs.

Abstract: A surgical drape and method of providing a sterile surface therewith is provided. The drape is configured to cover an upper portion of a radiation shield and includes a flexible wall providing a cavity sized to receive the upper portion of the radiation shield. The flexible wall has a rear wall portion configured to cover at least in part a rear portion of the radiation shield and a front wall portion configured to cover a front portion of the radiation shield. The front wall portion extends to an upper front free edge and the rear wall portion extends to an upper rear free edge. At least one fastener is attached to at least one of the front and rear wall portions adjacent respective ones of the upper front free edge and rear free edge. The fastener is configured to releasably fix the front and rear walls to the radiation shield.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to the treatment of wounds using negative pressure. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide for a foam pad, which may be suitable for use in abdominal wound sites, and which may be sized in a dimensionally-independent manner. Additional embodiments provide for a wound contact layer, as well as a system for the treatment of abdominal wounds.

Abstract: A drape device is provided for use with a thermal treatment system, where the thermal treatment system includes a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle. The drape device includes a drape that can be placed within the receptacle to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle. The drape device further includes engaging structure configured to engage the drape and one of the basin and the receptacle. In one embodiment, the engaging structure includes an actuation member that facilitates operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater without the use of the basin.

Abstract: An oral appliance includes a one-piece tray system that fits over the posterior teeth of the user and is custom-made or customized using lining material that conforms to the dentition of the wearer. The device may position the lower jaw in a slightly protruded position with respect to the upper jaw.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and mandibular protruders and positioning devices, comprising, for example: an upper mounting bracket having an upper dental appliance; a lower mounting bracket having a lower dental appliance; and a rail system configured to couple the upper mounting bracket to the lower mounting bracket. Some embodiments comprise a drive motor and/or an initial position adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: The in-ear device is shaped to fit a wearer's ear morphology. The device includes a main body having at least three generally convex sides, an innermost face and an outermost face. A first side is shaped to fit the tragus of a wearer's ear, and a second side is shaped to fit an antitragus of a wearer's ear. At least three tips, generally rounded, join respective two adjacent sides. The main body is within an outer ear plane substantially perpendicular to an entrance of an ear canal of a wearer's ear.

Abstract: A compression bandage with a tubular, flexible flat material for surrounding a bodily member and with a number of elastic compression threads, whereby this flat material constitutes a main body that can be stretched in the circumferential direction. A number of elastic compression threads run in the plane of the flat material in the direction of the circumference, and create the compressive effect when the compression bandage is applied. At least parts of at least some of the compression threads protrude outside the flat material, allowing the compressive effect to be adjusted by varying the length of each of the protruding external portions.

Abstract: A sterile drape configured for isolating a portion of a surgical device within a sterile environment, comprising: a plurality of drape interface mechanisms comprising: at least one drape/handle interface mechanism comprising a first ring defining a first opening through the sterile drape and configured for coupling with a control mechanism, the control mechanism comprising a surgical device for controlling a surgical instrument; and at least one drape/shaft interface mechanism comprising a second ring defining a second opening through the sterile drape, and configured for sealingly receiving a shaft there through as the shaft moves with a piston and is detachably coupled with the piston, wherein the piston is configured for responding to a first set of control signals sent by a first mechanical manipulation mechanism via a first connector by moving between a proximal end and a distal end of a first mechanical slave cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase wherein a) the continuous phase comprises a water vapor permeable hydrophobic polymer; and b) the discontinuous phase comprises a water soluble salt.

Abstract: A CPAP device and a method for treating sleep apnea use a head appliance with an oral adaptor comprising a tube partially inserted in a person's mouth and a diaphragm applied over the tube against the mouth, such that the lips are formed into a tight seal with the tube. A nasal seal is described comprising two rollers to which a strap is attached, so that the nasal seal is easily put in place, adjusted and maintained by rolling the rollers on the nose sides or pulling the straps.

Abstract: An internal indifferent electrode device including a flexible shaft, an energy transmission device adapted to be inserted into the body supported on the shaft, and a connector adapted to mate with the power return connector of a power supply apparatus.

Abstract: A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body includes an adjustment element configured to allow in-situ adjustment of the implant body between first and second tensioning forces applied to the site. Methods of using such systems are also provided.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a product and method to restrain movement, and more particularly to a product and method to releasably restrain the movement of a part of the human body, such as an arm or a leg. In one embodiment of the invention, a first piece is releasably positioned at a part of the body the movement of which is desired to be restrained and a second piece is positioned at the desired location of restraint. The first piece and the second piece are adapted to be releasably connected to each other, such as by magnetic forces, the attractive magnetic forces of two or more magnets, or by mechanical forces such as by a snap, button, buckle, pin, hook and loop fastener or other device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a one piece customized disposable surgical drape to be used in any surgery, and more specifically to a one piece customized disposable surgical drape that includes one or more of the following: (1) a patient drape for use with a standalone non-draped image acquisition device (requiring circumferential access to the patient); (2) a patient drape for use with a standalone non-draped image acquisition device with image guidance navigation technology; (3) the means to provide temporary sterile coverage of an underlying sterile field; (4) the means to provide sterile separation of at least a portion, if not the entire temporary sterile coverage; and (5) the means to provide covering of the undersurface of the operating surface and enclosing any suspended medical devices, wires, cables, tubes, etc.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an anti-fatigue device includes a framework worn adjacent a body of a user; and interaction of a cable and the framework provides an anti-gravity support of the body that reduces user fatigue from an activity the user performs. In another exemplary embodiment, the anti-fatigue device includes a head support halo coupled to the framework, the head support halo provides an anti-gravity support of the head that reduces user fatigue while the user performs the activity. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the anti-fatigue device includes a leg support that substantially secures the framework adjacent the body while the user stands to perform the activity. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the anti-fatigue device includes a seat plate worn adjacent a buttock of the user substantially secures the framework adjacent the body while the user sits on the buttock to perform the activity.

Abstract: A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting a device into airway-forming tissue without affixing the device to the tissue and permitting a bioerodable portion of the device to bioerode to apply a force to the airway-forming tissue to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method.

Abstract: An occlusion device and catheter delivery system are disclosed. The occlusion device may include an expandable member, an extended arm directly connected to the expandable member and extending distally therefrom, and a distal ball tip on a distal end of the extended arm. The extended arm and distal ball tip can function to steer the catheter delivery system when tracking through a body lumen to reach the target delivery site.