Abstract: A massage machine for massaging a person's body comprising: a robot hand comprising a first digit and at least one second digit that is opposable to the first digit, wherein the first digit and at least one second digit are moveable towards and away from each other; and at least one digit actuator for moving the first digit towards and away from the at least one second digit to massage a region of the person's body to which at least one of the digits is pressed.

Abstract: A desk chairmat includes a substantially planar member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge; the planar member having at least one foot massage area in a selected part thereof; and a foot massage panel secured within the selected area, the foot massage insert having a base and a plurality of upwardly projecting foot massage nodules. The foot massage panel may also be in the form of a peel and stick pad that is adhesively secured to the upper surface of the desk chairmat.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for clearing obstructions in a body cavity opening behind which a volume of fluid has been accumulated comprising a housing having a longitudinal internal conduit having an end interconnected to a suction source and a motor mechanically interconnected to a second end attachment portion and adapted to impart vibratory movement thereto. Actuation of the motor imparts vibratory movement to the second end attachment portion, and thereby to an attached tip and, when a housing first attachment portion is interconnected to a suction source, suction and vibration are simultaneously applied to the tip second end. Thus, when the tip second end is applied against an obstructed body cavity opening, the vibration acts to break up the obstruction and the suction contemporaneously acts to withdraw the accumulated fluid from the body cavity.

Abstract: An artificial heart device for minimizing the damage to blood cells having electromagnetically driven pistons which move the blood around and through a toroidal chamber. In first and second preferred embodiments no motor is used to drive the pistons and the pistons are suspended within the toroid by cycling of electromagnets. In a third preferred embodiment the pistons are moved with the use of motor-driven magnets. In each embodiment blood is sucked into the toroidal chamber through one or more intake openings and blood exits the toroidal chamber through one or more outflow openings.

Abstract: A therapeutic slipper for retaining heat or cold, and that is comfortable and permits normal and comfortable walking, comprises a sole, and an upper portion disposed in overlying relation above the sole. The upper portion has compartments comprising an outer layer of material and an inner layer of material, and containing a granular temperature retentive material. Preferably, the sole is void of granular temperature retentive material. Alternatively, a pouch contains temperature-retentive granular material and is disposed within a corresponding compartment of the upper portion. A method of fabricating a therapeutic slipper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device (1) for the treatment of a region of a body comprises the following components, i.e.: a housing (2) which can be held in one hand, a tool (10) provided for treating the region of the body, drive means (14) for driving the tool (10), and compression force definition means (65) for defining a desired compression force obtaining between the tool (10) and the region of a body under treatment, as well as adjustment means (66) accommodated in the housing (2) for adjusting the range for a desired compression force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the implantation of one or more prosthetic valve(s) in the pulmonary vein(s) of a subject for decreasing or preventing an increase in pulmonary venous pressure. The present invention accordingly provides for novel treatment strategies for the treatment of medical disorders associated with elevated pulmonary venous pressure, including congestive heart failure, as well as for prosthetic pulmonary vein valves and their delivery systems. Expandable as well as fixed-dimension non-expandable pulmonary vein prosthetic valves for implantation by a variety of surgical and percutaneous procedures are also described.

Abstract: Both feet independently supported and circularly rotating exerciser including a base seat, a driving motor, a pair of driven wheels, a transmission member, a pair of linking members and a pair of foot support members. When the driving wheel of the driving motor rotates, the transmission member is driven to make the pair of driven wheels rotate and further make the pair of linking members deflect and swing up and down. At this time, the foot support members move in a circular or substantially circular path to exercise both feet. The rotation mode of the exerciser can be changed to excerise both feet in different specific patterns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heart valve prosthesis having an annular body with a pair of flanges, and a closing element in the form of two or three flaps mounted through bearings into the body's recesses with freedom to be rotated. The annular body has a constant height on a greater portion of a ring circle, and a number of ledges equal to that of the flaps. The ledges are provided with flap rotation limiters. The flaps have ascending and descending surfaces oriented to the direct and reverse flow of blood, a side edge and an edge for joining the other flap. The descending surface of a flap is flat and the ascending surface thereof is spherically concave. The flaps have the minimal thickness on an axis of symmetry at the joining edge. The axes of rotation of the three flap embodiment are arranged relative to each other at an angle of 60° thereby to form the sides of an equilateral triangle. For the valve with two flaps the flange facing the direct flow of blood is thickened.

Abstract: A apparatus and a method for applying pressure to a human body, the apparatus comprising a compression sleeve with a plurality of inflatable annular cells, a control block with pneumatic valves, and a pressurized fluid source. The most distal cell of the sleeve is designated by number 1, while the most proximal cell is designated by number N. The control block is adapted to perform a regular therapy procedure starting by inflation of the most distal cell or group of cells, and a pre-therapy procedure, preceding the regular therapy procedure, including a succession of cell inflation-deflation subcycles. Each subcycle is performed at least once over a range of at least two adjacent cells, starting with an initial cell different from cell N, progressing towards and ending with cell N. The initial cell of the first subcycle is one of the most proximal one-third of cells, and the initial cell of each next subcycle has a number monotonously and gradually approaching 1.

Abstract: A desk chairmat includes a substantially planar member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge; and a plurality of foot massage nodules projecting upwardly from the upper surface located in a selected area of the planar member.

Abstract: A massage device includes a main body provided with a supporting groove in which a calf of a leg can be disposed, a sliding member slidably inserted into the main body, and a first massager for massaging the calf. The first massager is installed on a rear side of the supporting groove and includes an electric motor, a power transmission device for converting a rotational motion of the motor into a reciprocal motion, and a first massage member for massaging the calf while moving along the supporting groove. The first massage member is fixed on the power transmission device.

Abstract: A wound dressing garment includes an outer structure layer formed of a pliable material and an interior lining formed of a self-adhesive gel material which serves as a dressing for directly contacting wounds such as burns on a patient. The structure layer provides the overall shape of the garment as well as a framework for supporting the gel layer. The structure layer has at least two edge portions that are securable (i.e., either permanently secured or detachably securable) to each other to provide a partial enclosure suitable for enveloping a portion of the body. The structure layer can include one or more layers of material and can be made of one or more of a variety of materials, such as fabric or elastomeric materials. The self-adhesive, sheet-like gel layer serves as an interior lining of the garment, such that gel layer presents an interior surface for directly contacting the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A device for compressing a breast. The device includes a harness able to be releasably secured to a body of a user and a compression member adjustably connected to the harness for receiving the breast of the user. A control module is releasably secured to the harness for providing a pressure to the compression member for applying an equal compression force to the breast. The compression member includes a first compressing element positioned on a first side of the breast; a second compression element positioned on a second side of the breast opposite the first compressing element; and a structural member extending between the first and second compressing elements for retaining the first and second compressing elements on respective sides of the breast whereby an aperture defined by the structural member and first and second compressing elements for receiving the breast therein.

Abstract: A chiropractic adjustor apparatus includes a housing having a central interior cavity and a pair of opposite end portions oriented substantially the reverse of one another and extending in opposite directions from the interior cavity and having passages adapted to enhance heat dissipation from the housing, an electromagnetic drive mechanism mounted in the interior cavity of the housing, a force-transmitting shaft extending through the drive mechanism and opposite end portions of the housing and reciprocally supported by the opposite end portions of the housing in a substantially symmetrical relationship to the drive mechanism, an arrangement for actuating the drive mechanism to cause repetitive reciprocal vibratory movement of the shaft along a longitudinal axis thereof and relative to the housing, and a handle attached to the housing for gripping the apparatus.

Abstract: An orthotic device has first and second, elongated support members. The support members are pivotally connected at their respective proximal ends. The device further includes a tensioning member and a tensioning member retainer at the distal end of the first member. There are also first and second pairs of guides, each pair adapted to receive the tensioning member. Whereby the device may facilitate movement of a limb into either a flexed or extended position by placing the tensioning member in the first or second pair of guides respectively.

Abstract: Portable traction apparatus for applying traction forces to a human or animal body includes a support member and an elongated, double-ended traction arm pivotally connected to the support member. The traction arm is mounted for movement about orthogonally disposed pivots. A lock is employed to selectively lock the traction arm against movement relative to the support member at selected orientations. An attachment clamp is connected to the support member for releasably attaching the support member to a structure.

Abstract: A chest brace and method of using same that prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during patient breathing by providing a distending force on the patient's thorax. The chest brace also restores the normal anterior-to-posterior chest dimensions by providing a distending force in this direction. The chest brace includes an anterior member adapted to overly a patient's chest. An adhesive mechanism secures the anterior member to a surface of such a patient. A support structure is coupled to the anterior member such that, in use, the support structure imparts a force on the anterior member in a manner so as to distend a thorax of such a patient.

Abstract: A method for treating venous valve insufficiency comprising inserting a delivery device and a vascular device into a target vessel adjacent valve leaflets of the vessel, deploying the vascular device to an enlarged diameter to securely engage the internal wall of the vessel and reducing the diameter of the vascular device to move the vessel wall radially inwardly and bring the valve leaflets closer together.

Abstract: A programmable neck massaging device including a base member positionable at a lower back of a user. The base member has a massaging element disposed therein for providing a massaging action to the lower back of the user. A back support arm is removably coupled with respect to the base member. A neck support is positionable around a neck of the user. The neck support is secured to the back support arm. The neck support has a generally U-shaped configuration defined by opposed free ends. The neck support includes a pair of massaging elements disposed within the opposed free ends thereof. A control panel is secured to the neck support. The control panel is in communication with the massaging element of the base member and the pair of massaging elements of the neck support. The control panel includes a timer. The timer has control buttons. The control panel includes a display. The control panel programs the activation of the massaging elements at timed intervals.