Abstract: An improved air pulse generator produces high frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) and has an improved user interface. The user interface allows the patient to select from a plurality of modes, which correspond to stored treatment protocols. Once selected, the air pulse generator performs the protocol corresponding to the selected mode.

Abstract: A method for producing a non-linearly varying therapeutic signal for therapy wherein a string of randomly or nonlinearly varying data increments the input to a mathematical function such as incrementing the phase angle of a sine function to produce a non linearly varying signal for application as therapy. This method also includes inserting upward chirps and sequencing different therapeutic signals to create a composite signal.

Abstract: A compression belt cartridge for use with chest compression devices. The compression belt cartridge has a double-oar shaped belt and a cover plate through which the belt is threaded. The cover plate is provided with hooks and snap latches that fit into a belt drive platform. The cover plate is sized and dimensioned to fit within only selected platforms. The belt attaches to the means for tightening the belt via a spline attached to the belt. The means for tightening a belt then repetitively tightens the belt, thereby accomplishing chest compressions.

Abstract: A method for treating medical disorders manifesting themselves in the blood, including diabetes and anemia, by exposing the sufferer to audible acoustic waves from a transducer immersed in liquid. The person is preferably placed between one and twenty feet from the wave source, and is preferably exposed to waves at a frequency of about 600 Hertz for approximately twenty five minutes. In one embodiment, the person sits in a jacuzzi-like container together with the transducer.

Abstract: Safety mechanisms for compression belt cartridges used in chest compression devices. The safety mechanisms include a breakable link, liner socks, belt guards and a rapid-release connector. The breakable link ensures that unsafe belt tension will not occur. The liner socks protect the patient from friction and contain the breakable link. The belt guards protect foreign objects from entering the belt drive platform. The rapid-release connector allows the belt to be removed safely even during compressions.

Abstract: In combination, vertically percussive vibration and non-symmetrical forces are applied to a patient. The non-symmetrical forces may be generated by a variety of unevenly applied weights that are supported at appropriate body locations in a manner that upsets normal body load symmetry. The non-symmetrical forces in combination with vertically percussive vibrations induce neuromusculoskeletal proprioceptive re-education and development within a living body to correct musculo-skeletal disorders including but not limited to scoliosis. A special posture modifying chair and head-orienting glasses may be used instead of or in addition to unevenly applied weights. An additional force concentrating treatment apparatus is also presented.

Abstract: A furniture includes an inflatable body and a plurality of vibrating units. Each of the vibrating units is mounted on the inflatable body, and includes a vibrating plate that is spaced apart from the inflatable body and that is formed with protrusions thereon, and a driving member for driving vibration of the vibrating plate.

Abstract: An acupressure apparatus for applying pressure to the LI4 acupressure points on both of a user's hands simultaneously includes a pressure applicator assembly with an upper plate and a lower plate overlying each other and pivotally connected at one aligned edge, each plate having a pair of knobs with the respective upper and lower knobs aligned to come together and apply pressure to a user's hand placed between them. In a first embodiment the upper plate of the pressure applicator assembly is connected to a footplate by a flexible cable so that a user may hold the pressure applicator assembly in his or her hands, place his or her feet on the footplate with the lower plate of the pressure applicator assembly on his or her knees, and apply pressure to the hands by raising his or her knees to bring the lower plate and knobs upward against the upper plate and knobs.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an assist torque to be applied to a human joint, in a human assist system in order to reduce the load on muscles, according to the present invention 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. In one embodiment of the present invention, various criteria are used such as mechanical energy, metabolic energy and/or a stability/equilibrium factor. In addition, the present invention can account for the situation where there is substantially no relative motion between segments of a given joint and thus, where the mechanical energy component of gravity compensation is approximately zero.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a handle capable of manipulation by a human hand, and one or more head portions to mate to various types of treatment attachments, which may be moved over an area of skin and/or body part by a motion generator moving the head portions, and/or by a user manipulating the handle. Various suitable attachments include applicator attachments having abrasive surfaces, oxygenating attachments having pores through which oxygen may travel, brush attachments for cleaning and polishing, thermal attachments for heating and cooling, and light radiating attachments. The motion generator may move the attachments by vibrating, spinning, oscillating, or propagating sonic waves through the head portions. Thus, attachments may be attached and removed from the head portions to treating skin and/or body parts by abrasion, cleaning, polishing, lighting, or oxygenation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a therapeutic device comprising a mechanical orthotic element (2, 3, 4) designed to constitute a contact surface with at least the patient's lower limbs and a neuromuscular stimulation element (33) including at least a pair of electrodes (37, 38) designed to act on the muscle or muscular group concerned of said patient's limb. The orthotic element comprises two orthoses including each three segments (2, 3, 4) designed to co-operate (11, 13; 12, 14; 15) with respectively the patient's thigh, leg and foot. The first segment is connected at one of its ends through a first motorised articulation (9) to an element (10) designed to co-operate with the patient's body at his hips and at its other end through a second motorised articulation (7) to one of the ends of the second segment. The other end of the second segment is linked through a third motorised articulation (8) to the third segment.

Abstract: A vest for a human body has a bladder coupled to a pulsator operable to subject the vest to repeated pulses of air which applies and releases pressure to the body. The vest has a cover having a pocket accommodating the bladder, shoulder straps, and end flaps. The bladder is permanently connected to the cover. Releasable hook and loop fasteners connect the straps to chest portions of the vest and end flaps to each other. A releasable retainer secured to the end flaps prevent the end flaps and releasable fasteners from disengaging when air pressure pulses are applied to the vest. The bladder has an air chamber and a sleeve having an air receiving passage and openings to allow air to flow from the air receiving passage into the air chamber. An oval-shaped coil spring within the sleeve maintains the air receiving passage open.

Abstract: A system for performing chest compression for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The system includes a motor, drive spool and associated couplings which allow for controlling and limiting the movement of the compressing mechanism and includes a control system for controlling the operation and interaction of the various components to provide for optimal automatic operation of the system.

Abstract: A closure device (10) is disclosed for use with an access port (62,72,82,92) of a medical respiratory apparatus (60,70,80,90). The closure device (10) comprises a cap (14) that seals the access port (62,72,82,92) save for an opening (28) in the cap (14), and a closure (16) for sealing the opening (28). The cap (14) includes a portion of flexible material (26) in which the opening (28) is formed, and is hingedly mounted with respect to the access port (62,72,82,92).

Abstract: A mattress vibrator comprises a mat having a hard plate and an elastic plate which are laminated on each other, and the mat is provided with a vibration generator, a vibrator which generates vibration by operating a moving body in an axial direction of the vibrator is used as the vibration generator, the vibrator is disposed on substantially a central portion of one end of the hard plate, an axis of the vibrator is disposed within a plate thickness of the hard plate.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating and mobilizing the patella and patellar tendon following injury to the knee or surgery thereon to reduce pain, reduce the formation of scar tissue about the patella and eliminate stiffness and loss of range of motion of the knee, is formed by an elongated, rigid bar having a first end, a second end and an elongated portion extending between the ends. The elongated portion has a central section intermediate the ends defining a V-shaped notch. The first end defines a generally rectangular flattened blade having a lateral beveled edge. The second end defines a generally triangular flattened blade having a lateral arcuate beveled edge. An elastomeric coating is provided on the central section defining the V-shaped notch, on the rectangular blade and on the triangular blade. A method for using the tool is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for the quick and easy releasable attachment of any applicator to the operative head of any massage machine including a generally annular first plate threaded for permanent attachment to the massage machine head, the first plate including a series of openings formed therein and spaced at equal distances around the first plate, and a second plate for positioning on the top surface of the first plate and releasably attached to the base plate by hook and loop fastener, the second plate having the applicators attached at the top surface and including a series of studs spaced at equal distances around, and extending downward from, the bottom surface of the second plate so that the studs engage the openings in the first plate to appropriately align the first plate and the second plate and to resist dislodgement of the second plate, and the attached applicator, by eccentric forces incurred during use.

Abstract: Devices and methods for attaching a belt cartridge to a belt drive platform. A spline attached to the belt is inserted into a slot in the drive spool of the belt drive platform. The cover plate of the belt cartridge fits into a channel beam in the housing of the belt drive platform, thereby securing the cartridge to the housing. Belt guards, for protecting the cartridge, belt drive platform, patient and rescuer, are rotatably attached to the cover plate and are secured around spindles disposed on the sides of the housing.

Abstract: A lightweight electro-mechanical chest compression device. The device is provided with a motor, a brake, a drive spool, a control system, and a metal channel beam to brace the device and guide a compression belt. The belt is provided in a belt cartridge that attaches to the channel beam. In use, the belt is secured around the patient and to the drive spool. The motor tightens the belt by turning the drive spool. The electro-mechanical chest compression device weighs less than 30 pounds when fully assembled with its power source.

Abstract: A traction device for use on a support surface which includes a body contacting assembly which releasably contacts the a suitable anatomical region of the patient, a gas spring and associated assembly, the gas spring variable between an extended rest position and a contracted force exerting position, and means of relieving traction force exerted by the gas spring and associated assembly.