Abstract: The sling of the instant invention is carried or supported by an abdominal belt, such that the weight of the leg of the user is carried by the hips and/or back of the user. The foot is supported in a portion along the vertical line of the body or forward of the vertical line of the body, relative to the body line when the user is not walking. In use, the person will support the body on the good leg, swing the crutches forward and the move the upper body forward until the body is supported by the crutches. The sling is essentially, a U-shaped member, with the bottom of the U forming a cradle for the foot. The upper ends of the sling, that is, the elongated legs of the U, are attached to the abdominal belt. The attachment mechanism can also consist of looping the free ends of the sling over the abdominal belt and securing the ends of the sling to a midsection or lower section of the sling legs, by fastening means, such as VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A cast or bandage protector comprises a lightweight, plastic bag having a rectangular shape that is open at one end. The user can insert an arm or leg through the open end of the bag to protect a cast or bandage from getting wet. A strap encircles the bag adjacent the open end thereof. The strap is also made of plastic and has a buckle at one end that is free relative to the bag to allow access to be had to the underside of the buckle. The other free end of the strap can be threaded through the buckle and cinched back on itself to tighten the strap, and hence the open end of the bag, around the arm or leg of the user. The free end of the strap is secured in place by an adhesive patch that is pressed against the strap or bag. The protector is disposed of after a single use by stripping the protector off the arm or leg and throwing it away.

Abstract: An outrigger system for use with a custom fit splint to achieve precise alignment of dynamic splint forces following traumatic injury, disease or surgery of the hand.

Abstract: An spotting assistance apparatus for use in conjunction with a horizontal bar apparatus for providing support for a gymnastics spotter. The apparatus includes a pivoting support platform which is pivotable about a horizontal axis, such that the platform can be moved from a nonoperating position to an operating position. The operating positions of the pivoting support platforms can be adjusted among different operating positions.

Abstract: A posture training device comprising a substantially rigid support member including a plurality of slots and a plurality of straps. The straps are detachably coupled to the support member by inserting and sliding each of the straps into and through one of the slots. The slots extend between the support member's two opposing outer surfaces that are aligned substantially perpendicular to the individual's back when the device is worn. Each strap includes couplers at the ends of the strap for connecting ends each strap.

Abstract: A lower back support apparatus for supporting the user's lower back when seated. The lower back support apparatus includes a support frame and a support belt which is supportable on the frame. The support belt defines a belt portion and straps secured to the belt portion. The belt portion is securable around the waist of a user, and the straps extend from the belt portion and are configured to fit securely on the shoulders of the user. The straps carry two rings one each positionable at each shoulder. The support frame is configured to releasably secure to a seat. Two spring and hook assemblies mounted on opposing sides of the support frame and each includes a hook for hooking onto each of the rings.

Abstract: A wrist brace useful for therapeutic recovery and restraint of hand pronation and supination, with respect to the forearm, of approximately plus or minus 10.degree., while allowing relatively unrestricted lateral movement of said hand with respect to said forearm.

Abstract: An enveloping elastic sock for treating Plantar Fasciitis, wherein the sock has a heel opening and exerts compressive forces along the longitudinal and transverse axes of a patient's foot.

Abstract: This invention relates to a finger restraint device to be worn by sufferers of hand and wrist injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, arthritis, and wrist sprain. The device comprises a finger restraining system in the form of a finger, hand and wrist covering which will support the wearer's fingers in a curled position, or to provide a core around which the fingers would normally grasp and be restrained by the covering. This places flexor and extensor tendons in a state of isotonic tension, and promotes a natural position with alignment of the wrist and tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels in the hand and wrist.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical traction device is provided which includes a motor driven linear actuator connected to a guided carriage. A second carriage is mounted in tandem with the first on a common guide. The two carriages are connected by a spring. A patient engaging device is connected to the second carriage. The linear actuator and carriage guide are mounted to a common surface. When power is provided to the linear actuator motor, it moves the first carriage. The motion is transmitted through the spring to the second carriage and patient engaging device to provide traction to the patient. Reversing the motor relieves the traction force.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in which a pump is used with a sanative protector of the type having a flexible envelope which wraps around and seals a cast, bandage or dressing on an arm, leg or other appendage of a person responsive to vacuum established in an interface region beneath the envelope. The pump comprises a bulb having a wall which encloses a pumping chamber. The wall is formed of a material and wall thickness which provides elasticity sufficient to enable inward deformation from a distended shape toward a collapsed shape, and further having an elastic memory which causes the wall to produce an elastic pressure sufficient to urge the wall outwardly from the collapsed shape toward the distended shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable elastic thermal knee wraps having one or more thermal packs comprising a plurality of heat cells, wherein heat is applied to specific areas of the user's knee, for pain relief. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable elastic thermal knee wraps having good conformity to user's knee which provide consistent, convenient and comfortable heat application.

Abstract: In a cable-based external knee ligament system, tensioned cables are disposed in a zig-zag pattern on each side of the femoral, patellar and tibial areas, and the load on selected ligaments can be varied by laterally moving cable guides above and below the knee which form the zig-zag pattern.

Abstract: A stationary baby jumper apparatus is provided. The jumper apparatus includes a support frame having a U-shaped base leg with upstanding ends. A cantilevered seat-support leg is mounted upon the upstanding ends of the U-shaped base leg. A chair seat is suspended from the seat-support leg. Connectors are provided and are positioned in spaced-apart relation to one another about the cantilevered seat-support leg. The chair seat is suspended from the seat-support leg by shock cords that extend between the chair seat and the connectors. Each shock cord includes a first end coupled to a respective connector, a second end coupled to the frame of the chair seat, and an extensible center portion extending between the first and second ends.

Abstract: An orthopedic base garment and strap system is provided for treating pathologies of the scapula, shoulder girdle, or upper trunk or quadrant or else which affects posture. The system includes an elastic base garment that has at least one upper arm encircling portion, a torso encircling portion, and an arm-and-shoulder portion spanning between and interconnecting the upper arm encircling and torso encircling portions. The base garment has diverse inner and outer surfaces such that the inner surface is adapted for high friction contact with the patient's skin or else with a thin undergarment worn by the patient, whereas the outer surface is provided with hook-fastener securing areas. The torso encircling portion is configured as opposite belt straps, one of which belt straps has hook fasteners. That way, the belt straps allow releasable formation of a belt around the patient's torso underneath and clear of the breasts.

Abstract: A seat supportable device for relieving lower back pressure is provided. The device includes a seat portion arranged to be supported on a seat and to be sat upon by a user, a rib cage engagement portion arranged to removably engage the rib cage of the user when he is sitting on the seat portion and user controlled tensioning apparatus for selectably applying tension between the rib cage engagement portion and the seat portion, thereby to relieve lower back pressure on the user.

Abstract: An adjustable finger support for the flexion or extension of stiffened interphalangeal joints of a finger of the human hand including an elongated, hinged support base adapted with means for securely, yet comfortably holding the phalanges of the finger in place throughout the course of treatment. The elongated base is divided at hinges into respective support sections for the proximal, middle and distal phalanges of the finger, depending upon which of the DIP and PIP joints of the finger are to be treated. Jacking mean, such as a screw jack in the form of an elongated set screw operates in conjunction with hinged attachments to the respective proximal, middle and distal phalangeal support sections to 1) maintain the set position of the angle of the respective base portions and 2) to provide firm, controllable articulation of the joint over a wide range by selective operation of the jacking means.

Abstract: A resistance jump rope for strength and cardiovascular conditioning, wherein the jump rope includes a first handle having a first end and a second end and a second handle having a first end and a second end. The jump rope further includes a first elongated, flexible cord having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cord is rotatably coupled to the first end of the first handle and the second end of the cord is rotatably coupled to the first end of the second handle. The jump rope also includes a second resilient cord which is substantially shorter than the first cord. The second cord includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second cord is secured to the first handle and the second end of the second cord is secured to the second handle.

Abstract: A post-operative hip brace for preventing hip dislocations during recovery of a patient including a waist strap and an upper leg strap that fits around the upper thigh of the patient. The two straps are spaced apart and extend generally parallel to each other, and support the top and bottom of a vertically extending thin, generally flat semi-rigid hip support for extending along the side of the hip. The hip support includes a plurality of long narrow, generally parallel, vertically-extending, horizontally spaced, semi-rigid metal stays extending between the waist strap and the upper leg strap along the side of the hip joint. The stays are malleable and can be shaped manually to a desired configuration for matching the shape of the patient's hip in the area of the surgical incision. The stays are each removable from long narrow sleeves on the support. The inside of the hip support also includes a spacer that overlies the incision to provide cushioning.

Abstract: A therapy device for conducting rehabilitative exercises that includes a base having a receptacle. A standard is capable of being positioned in the receptacle in a substantially vertical position and has a plurality of adjustable arms slidably mounted on it. A locking mechanism is used to secure the standard in the vertical position. Each arm has means for being slidably mounted to the standard and a locking mechanism for fixing the arm at a height along the vertical, longitudinal axis of the standard. Each arm also includes a fastening means for removably securing occupational therapy exercise items, such as hooks, rings, and other items. The base of the therapy device include a slot for receiving the standard and may be shaped and sized to resemble an attache or brief case and to include a handle and one or more bins for holding occupational therapy exercise items. The bin may be compartmentalized and have a lid to secure exercise items therein.