Abstract: A finger-pressure substitutive stimulator comprises a supple, net-like sheet member having many stripe-like projections on one surface thereof and formed of various hard or semi-hard synthetic resin materials. The finger-pressure substitutive stimulator is fixed to the surface of the skin of a human body at a part to be treated using an appropriate fixing means—e.g., commercially available adhesive tapes, bandages, and supporters—or an adhesive sheet fastened to the smooth rear surface of the sheet member; it serves to ease or remove pain by correcting such ailments as rheumatism, neuralgia, shoulder stiffness, lumbago, and visceral disorders. The stripe-like projections pressed against the skin surface provide uniform, sustained stimulation to the peripheral nerves in the human body surface layer over the entire wide region to which the stimulator is attached and effectively correct disorders and abnormalities of the human body, thereby removing or easing pains.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an assist torque to be applied to a human joint, in a human assist system for applying an assist torque to the human joint to reduce load of muscles, and the human assist system are provided. The method comprises the step of obtaining a moment due to gravity, acting on a joint of each human segment, based on equations of force and moment balance on each segment. The method further comprises the step of obtaining an assist torque to be applied to the joint to compensate for the moment due to gravity, acting on the joint. The human assist system comprises a motor for delivering an assist torque to a joint and a motor driver for driving control of the motor. The system further comprises a controller for determining a desired value of an assist torque, comprising a processor and a memory.

Abstract: A method of pressing on pressure points and/or muscles in a back or other part of a user using a round ball is improved by pressing on the pressure points and/or muscles using a gel ball having a diameter of between about 45 and 70 millimeters. The density of the gel ball ranges between about 0.75 and 1.2 gm/cm3, and the ball being made of a polyether polyol gel material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cardiopulmonary resuscitation apparatus comprising: a device having a piston for compressing the sternum; and a device for thoracic constriction having a chest band for fastening and constricting the chest when the piston compresses a patient's chest, characterized in that the length of the chest band can be adjusted according to the size of the patient's chest. The apparatus further includes a protection pad to be attached to the chest when the chest band is tightened, thereby easily adjusting the length of the chest band according to the size of the patient's chest and protecting the patient's chest when it is compressed.

Abstract: Portable, lightweight manually actuated CPR device for performing enhanced external thoracic massage. When applied to the victim, the device is used to perform chest, or chest and abdominal compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The device provides mechanical force advantage over manually-performed external thoracic massage and permits performing multiple, repeatable and controlled compression/decompression cycles in rapid succession. The system requires less physical strength and endurance than the traditional external thoracic massage, and can be used by persons who otherwise are not strong enough to perform effective CPR. The device can be used with external ECG and defibrillation electrodes and equipment, is lightweight and portable, and can be used by both professional and lay rescuers.

Abstract: A wearable massage apparatus is formed from a main body having a first side. At least one massage head is positioned on the first side of the body. The apparatus further includes an arrangement for securing the main body to a user. A control module is connected to the at least one massage head for controlling movement thereof. The massage head on the first side of the main body is positioned adjacent the user's body and upon being secured thereto by the securing arrangement, the control module is selectively activated thereby causing the at least one massage head to oscillate and massage the user.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable orthotic system that performs predefined or user-controlled limb movements, collects data regarding limb movement, performs data analysis and displays representations of the data and data analysis results in real time, and modifies current operational parameters based upon such data so as to optimize the rehabilitative process performed by the system.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a massage unit wherein means for massaging the affected part of the person to be treated is provided with means for moving the affected part so as to give massage to a desired position. The massage unit of the invention comprises a recessed receiving portion 14 having a bottom wall 18 and opposite side walls 20, 21 extending upward from respective opposite sides of the bottom wall 18 for accommodating the affected part of the user therein, position adjusting means 15, 15a provided on the inner surfaces of the respective side walls 20, 21 of the recessed receiving portion 14 and movable toward the other side wall, and massage means 24 disposed on the bottom wall 18 of the recessed receiving portion 14 for massaging the affected part.

Abstract: A system is provided for persons who must remain seated for extended periods of time, such as persons working in offices and the like. The system includes one or two support surfaces for the feet of the user, which are moved by a motor driven base. The support surfaces perform an alternating longitudinal movement, a lifting and lowering movement or a movement combining the two movements. The support surfaces are moved by, in one example, support rods hingedly connected to a central point of the support surfaces and at the other end to eccentric pivots allocated to respective toothed wheels which are mounted so at to rotate about their respective axis. An intermediate motor-driven pinion conveys rotational movement in the opposite direction to the wheels and are placed between the wheels. The support surfaces may be a bar that is transverse relative to the motor-driven base, which is preferably used in mass transit vehicles such as motor coaches, airplanes, etc.

Abstract: A lower leg massage device includes a rotatable shaft having two actuating pins, two actuating devices solidly secured on the shaft, and two rotatable actuating devices rotatably attached onto the shaft and each having two opposite seats for selectively engaging with the actuator pins of the shaft. Four massage members are attached onto and to be vibrated by the actuating devices. The actuator pins may selectively engage with the one of the seats to rotate the rotatable actuating devices in one direction, and may engage with the other seat to rotate the rotatable actuating devices in the other direction, and to allow the massage members to be arranged either opposite to or parallel to each other.

Abstract: A device for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject includes a body-engaging element configured for engaging a region of the subject's body inferior to the lumbar vertebrae while the subject lies in a supine position. A drive mechanism is configured to move the body-engaging element through a repetitive cyclic motion which includes an operative motion along a first path including a primarily vertical lifting motion followed by a primarily horizontal tensioning motion, and a return motion along a second path, the second path lying generally below the first path. The body-engaging element preferably includes at least one surface configured for engaging a rear surface of both of the subject's legs from the knees downwards.

Abstract: A system for performing chest compression and abdominal compression for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The system includes a motor and gearbox including a system of clutches and brakes which allow for controlling and limiting the movement of compressing mechanisms operating on the chest and the abdomen of a patient.

Abstract: A cranial massage helmet includes a plurality of resilient massage wheels mounted on its inner surface for application to the head of a user. The massage wheels travel along a number of tracks bonded to the inner surface of the helmet. An individual stepper motor drives each wheel. A control system, which may be contained within a hand-held controller, contains a programmed logic controller for directing drive cards that are wired to each individual motor for independent control of each massage wheel. A variety of massage modes are made possible by the control system. The control system also includes audio components allowing a user of the helmet to select an audio program that may be heard through earphones mounted in the helmet.

Abstract: A system of heat/massage devices for a user's body parts needing heat and massage therapy. Conformable pads, made from a flexible, water-resistant material such as neoprene, nylon, vinyl, or GORE-TEX®, hold vibration and heating elements, which are electrically connected to a control unit with variable control switches. Several of the pads can be used simultaneously, and each can be controlled individually. One pad can be connected to another pad in series to increase the number of pads that can be used at the same time.

Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigating handpiece with both a discharge line through which fluid is applied to the site and a suction line through which the discharge fluid is drawn away. The handpiece has a variable speed pulse pump. A single, variable-speed motor actuates the pump to regulate the pumping rate. Power to actuate the motor comes from a battery pack that remote to the handpiece. A control mechanism attached to the handpiece regulates the energization signal applied to the motor so as to regulate motor speed.

Abstract: Featured is an injectable intraocular lens system including an insertion and injection device and an injectable intraocular lens. In its broadest aspects, the injectable intraocular lens is a deflated flexible bag that is disposed within the insertion and injection device prior to insertion into the eye. In use a portion of the insertion and injection device is inserted into the eye and the flexible bag is deployed out from an aperture in the inserted portion into the eye. Following deployment, the insertion and injection device injects an optical medium, such as a liquid, into the interior of the flexible bag, thereby inflating the bag. In an illustrative embodiment, the amount of medium being injected is selected so that the inflated bag provides the desired corrective power to the intraocular lens so formed.

Abstract: A resuscitation device for automatic compression of a victim's chest using a compression belt operably attached to a platform upon which a patient rests. In use, the compression belt is wrapped around the patient and at least one spindle operably attached to the platform.

Abstract: The device with vacuum bag for pressure therapy solves the problem of accurate measuring of the under-pressure created in the vacuum bag and the problem of appropriate adjustment of the liner clothing to individual patients. he device with vacuum bag for pressure therapy according to the invention consists of a vacuum bag, specially designed liner clothing, and a control and measuring unit, situated in a housing, including a pressure gauge, which has direct connection to the vacuum bag through a tube. The air is sucked out from the bag through tubes attached on the one side to six connections on the vacuum bag and on the other side to connections provided on the housing. The liner clothing consists of several pieces designed for different parts of the body. The liner clothing pieces are made of two layers of porous fabric sewn together with longitudinal seams.

Abstract: A method and a robotic device for locomotion training. The method involves shifting a subject's pelvis without directly contacting the subject's leg, thereby causing the subject's legs to move along a moveable surface. The device comprises two backdriveable robots, each having three pneumatic cylinders that connect to each other at their rod ends for attachment to the subject's torso. Also provided is a method of determining a locomotion training strategy for a pelvic-shifting robot by incorporating dynamic motion optimization.

Abstract: A method of processing a raw acceleration signal, measured by an accelerometer-based compression monitor, to produce an accurate and precise estimated actual depth of chest compressions. The raw acceleration signal is filtered during integration and then a moving average of past starting points estimates the actual current starting point. An estimated actual peak of the compression is then determined in a similar fashion. The estimated actual starting point is subtracted from the estimated actual peak to calculate the estimated actual depth of chest compressions. In addition, one or more reference sensors (such as an ECG noise sensor) may be used to help establish the starting points of compressions. The reference sensors may be used, either alone or in combination with other signal processing techniques, to enhance the accuracy and precision of the estimated actual depth of compressions.