Abstract: There is disclosed a short leg walker comprising a rigid sole and calf shell and an articulated rigid skin and dorsal shell. The shells are padded at some locations with a non-inflatable padding such as foam or a fiber padding and at other locations with an inflatable bladder and a second bladder between the inflatable bladder and the limb of the patient. The second bladder is responsive to deforming pressure exerted on it and will maintain its support of the limb when the pressure is removed.

Abstract: A spine relaxing device includes a base and a support column vertically supported on the base. An adjustable main support member, an adjustable head support member and an adjustable foot support member are mounted on the support column. The head and foot members are movable relative to each other support member. A hand operated control device can be operated by the user to move the position of the head support member and the foot support member relative to the main support member. The main support member and head support member are adjustable in width.

Abstract: An improved ear pressure dressing or splinting device 10 of the suture compression type is provided for treatment and prevention of recurrence of auricular hematoma. The splinting device 10 includes a pair of first and second backing members (12 and 14), a pair of first and second pressure pads (16 and 18), and a fastening assembly 20. The backing members (12 and 14) and pressure pads (16 and 18) are assembled in pairs in opposing, facing relation to compressibly engage the injured portion of an ear 22. The fastening assembly 20 includes a wire element 56 and a pair of first and second holdfasts (58 and 60). The wire element 56 is passed through the injured portion of the ear 22 and through apertures (36 and 38, 52 and 54) present in the backing members (12 and 14) and pressure pads (16 and 18).

Abstract: Traction apparatus for medically and physically treating herniated nucleosus pulposus or sprain and strain is disclosed. The traction apparatus comprises an upper support frame, a lower support frame, and a plurality of tubes. The traction apparatus further includes an exercising device. The upper support frame encircles the upper part of the therapy region and has two free ends positioned in space relation. The lower support frame encircles the lower part of the therapy region and hits two free ends positioned in space relation. The tubes are expandable to provide traction on the therapy region and are filled up with fluid which is generated by a fluid generating device. Preferably, the fluid generating device is a programmed controller including additionally pressure regulating function, timing function, intermittent ON and OFF function, etc.

Abstract: A lower limb orthotic comprising a foot orthotic, a pair of lateral supporting members, a detached or removeable anterior support member, a posterior support member, and strips of composite materials to resist plantar flexion, dorsiflexion and various of movements of the foot and ankle. The lateral supporting members further having strips of composite materials having fibers orientation substantially parallel to the length wise axis of the lateral supporting members. The foot orthotic and posterior supporting member further have composite strips extending across the bottom portion of the foot orthotic and rear side of the posterior supporting member respectively.

Abstract: An adjustable size ankle brace that can be configured to be fitted on feet of differing sizes. The brace includes a base that wraps around the foot and ankle on the sides and rear thereof. The base has forward edges that come toward one another over the front superior foot and ankle region but do not meet. The edges are spaced apart by a gap that is closed by an adjustable closure assembly. Lateral and medial movable flaps are releasable fixed to the sides of the base by means of hook and loop type fastening material. The flaps carry lace eyelets. The eyelets are connected by a common lace. The flaps can be moved on the base to vary the circumference size encompassed by the base and accordingly the size of the brace.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a resilient ball, a flexible strap assembly, and a resistance member coupled to the resilient ball via the flexible strap assembly. The resilient ball is configured such that a user rests a portion of his or her body on the resilient ball while pulling the resistance member in an elongation direction. The strap assembly includes first and second straps adapted to surround and couple to the resilient ball. A loop formed from one of the straps receives the resistance member.

Abstract: A wobble board is provided with the capability of varying the height between its sphere section and board. The wobble board includes a board with centrally protruding and downward extending bolt. A sphere section having legs, preferably four in number threads to the bolt. In between the sphere section and board underside, a variable height spacer is utilized. Preferably, the variable height spacer is provided with at least two sets of leg receiving notches. These sets of leg receiving notches are each at differing heights relative to the board. At the same time, the position of the notches within each set is complimentary in position to the legs. In operation, height between the sphere section and board is changed by unthreading the sphere section relative to the board without release of the variable height spacer between the sphere section and board. Unthreading continues until leg access to one set of the variable height notches occurs.

Abstract: A splint assembly is provided for use by health professionals in the positioning of a human hand. The arrangement includes a splint which is made of thermoplastic material in the shape of a hand, with open spaces between the fingers and thumb so that a glove may be placed simultaneously over the hand and splint for positioning of the hand. The cross-sectional shapes of the finger and wrist support areas resist movement of the fingers and wrist with the resistance increased or decreased by selection of thermoplastics with a higher or lower modulus of elasticity. A splint cover, made of a moisture absorbent material, acts as a cushion and prevents direct contact of the skin of the hand with the plastic material of the splint. An outer glove covering, made of a combination of stretch and/or non-stretch material, serves to maintain the position of the hand in the splint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exoprosthesis for the human knee joint consisting of a thigh part (1) which can be connected to the human thigh as well as a lower leg part (6) which can be connected to the human lower leg or which can replace it. The lower leg part (6) and the thigh part (1) are connected through a four-bar arrangement which consists of two parallel arranged partial joints, specifically a medial joint (11) and a lateral joint (10) each of which has the joint geometry of a link chain with two articulated axles (M.sub.u, M.sub.o ; L.sub.o, L.sub.u) (dimer link chains). The joint geometry of the medial joint (11) is designed as an overlapping, dimer link chain in which the articulated axle M.sub.u of the lower leg part (6) is displaced in the direction towards the thigh part (1) with respect to the articulated axle M.sub.o of the thigh part (1) and the joint geometry of the lateral joint (10) is designed as an extended dimer chain in which the articulated axle L.sub.

Abstract: A sleeping device for infants having trachea malacia and/or gastro-intestinal reflux including a foam wedge having a cutout formed therein. A plastic casing is dimensioned for securement over the foam wedge. A fabric cover is dimensioned for removable coupling over the plastic casing and the foam wedge. The fabric cover includes a pad for positioning within the cutout of the foam wedge.

Abstract: A collapsible cervical collar is disclosed with an elongated neck encircling band and a chin support brace. The chin support brace has first and second ends and a concave edge separating the first and second ends. A hinge connects the elongated neck encircling band to the chin support brace. The hinge enables the chin support brace to rotate more than 180 degrees relative to the elongated neck encircling band from an inoperable or flat condition to an operable three-dimensional condition.

Abstract: A foot supporter body is formed into a cylindrical shape using cloth having excellent elasticity and it has an approximately X-shaped acupressure projection on its inner side including first to fourth linear ribs extending in four directions from the center. The acupressure projection is formed in a symmetrical shape on the right and left sides of the center. When this foot supporter is fitted on the foot in the region somewhat back from the base region of the toes, the acupressure projection stimulates the surface of the foot to produce the effect of treating hallux valgus and the like and reducing the pain in the sole of foot caused by the this problem.

Abstract: An ankle brace for limiting and controlling pivotal movement of the foot about the ankle joint of the wearer which includes an upper cuff attachable to the leg of the wearer, a lower support member attachable about the shoe of the wearer, and a pair of longitudinally extending braces arranged to extend downward along on the inside and outside of the ankle of the wearer. Stop members are provided for engaging the brace member and restricting pivotal movement of the foot about the ankle joint to prevent injury-causing excessive inversion or eversion movement of the foot about the ankle joint.

Abstract: A longitudinally symmetric arm sling for supporting a forearm of a person has first and second substantially identical panel sections which are sewn to each other so that the sections define a trough with a closed aft end and an open front end into which the arm can be placed. A single strap has a first end attached to the aft end of the panel sections and a second end attached to the front end of the panel sections so that portions of the strap and of the panel sections adjacent the front end define opposing openings into which a thumb can be extended irrespective of whether the sling is worn on a right arm or a left arm. The strip is relatively wide and sewn to the panel sections so that wide sides of the strip are parallel to the panel sections. The sling and the strap are constructed of a relatively soft, stretchable material. A buckle can be provided to make the strap length adjustable.

Abstract: A knee orthosis in which the lateral and medial hinges are articulated asymmetrically. The medial hinge, having a first variable axis of rotation, has a first pair of parallel concentric shells in the shape of the segment of a sphere defining a first opening between them, fastened to the medial portion of the thigh cuff, and three rivets, forming a first equilateral triangle having a center coincident with the first variable axis of rotation, fastened to each shell. The medial hinge also has a first shell in the shape of a segment of a sphere designed to be inserted into the first opening, fastened to the medial portion of the shank cuff and three grooves to receive the three rivets.

Abstract: A striding exerciser comprises a pair of pedals or platforms, each suspended from a frame by a linkage such that the pedals move back and forth through an arc to simulate a natural walking or striding motion. Preferably the linkage is a triangulated four bar linkage, which permits the pedals to move freely back and forth while providing substantial lateral rigidity to resist side-to-side motion. In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of handles are pivotally attached to the frame behind and to the side of a user standing on the platforms. Each of the handles is connected to the corresponding four bar linkage, such that motion of a platform is translated into motion of the corresponding handle. In another embodiment the triangulated four bar linkages share a common pivot shaft and are acted on by a common resistance mechanism such that equal resistance is applied to both platforms.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an elastic girdling belt which serves to secure and maintain in a normal condition the connective structure of the coxae and lumbar vertebrae which support the pelvis in the human body, thus correcting the figure and not only serving to cure daily life affecting diseases caused by abnormalities in those regions such as lumbago, neuralgia, or internal organ disorders, but also producing significant effects in the prevention of these diseases. The girdling belt, while easy to handle, also produces noticeable effects in shaping the body and raising the hips, and at the same time allowing the greatest to the subtlest range of motion required for daily life without producing tight, uncomfortable feeling.

Abstract: A hand orthosis has a base member including wrist, hand, and finger portions and a cover on the base member. A cylindrical pouch is pivotally secured to the cover adjacent the hand portion and is normally movably positioned adjacent the finger portion. The pouch has an opening therein adapted to receive a detachable cylindrical pad. The cylindrical pad in the pouch has a securing element to secure the pouch in a pivotal position on the orthosis adjacent the finger portion in a position to accommodate the patient's thumb. A strap element is on the outside of the pouch to extend over the thumb of the patient wearing the orthosis to retain the thumb of the patient whose hand and fingers are supported on the hand and finger portions of the orthosis.

Abstract: A flexible and removable leg cast/brace handle comprises a first strap and a second strap permanently interconnected by a longitudinally extending third strap, and at least one loop handle being connected to the third strap. In one embodiment, a single loop handle extends between the first strap and the second strap. In another embodiment, a single handle is connected to the first strap, the second strap, or the third strap, or to a combination thereof. In still another embodiment, two loop handles are provided, each handle extending between an intermediate portion of the third strap and a respective one of the first and second straps.