Abstract: A hinge system for an orthopedic brace includes a distal section including a substantially circular pivot area including a ratchet having several angular saw-tooth teeth, each defined by alternating major and minor arms, intersections of the arms defining alternating outer and inner vertices, each of the inner vertices tilted in a counter-clockwise direction, the inner vertices each defining total included angles of between about 75 and about 95 degrees, in which a ratio of the length of each major to minor arm is in a range of about 2:1 to about 3.

Abstract: An arm sling comprises a sling pouch in which a retaining strap or belt is secured to a back panel of the sling pouch intermediate the ends of the sling pouch. The restraining strap is secured to the back panel intermediate the ends of the restraining strap and preferably at two points or along two sets of stitches. Opposite ends of the restraining strap are removably securable together by a fastener such that the restraining strap may be readily secured around the torso of the wearer with the sling pouch and the arm therein being held against the wearer's abdomen without pulling on the ends of the sling pouch. The restraining strap is preferably secured to the back panel at a slight angle, approximately five degrees, relative to a bottom edge thereof and from a wrist end to an elbow end of the sling pouch to support the wrist in a slightly elevated orientation relative to the elbow when the sling is donned.

Abstract: A wrist support band for use in the treatment of wrist ailments. The wrist support band provides support to the wrist while at the same time allows mobility of the wrist. The wrist support band includes an elastic sleeve that contains a flexible mold support. The mold support incorporates two elongated protuberances and a central recess intermediate the protuberances. The sleeve is slid over the hand and wrist until the elongated protuberances are proximate the wrist's proximal carpal row. At least one strap is wrapped about the sleeve to hold the sleeve and mold support in position firmly against the wrist. The interior of the sleeve may also be equipped with an anti-slip patch to prevent the sleeve from sliding up and down the wrist or forearm.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the joint area of a limb, in particular wherein the limb has undergone an amputation below the joint, for example a below-the-knee amputation of a leg. A generally tubular member, preferably fabricated from a resiliently stretchable material is provided. The tubular member may have both ends open, or a lower end may be closed. At one or more of the ends, an cuff is provided. The protector apparatus is configured to have a progressively variable capacity for resilient stretching, which capacity varies along the length of the apparatus.

Abstract: A hand orthosis has a base member supporting the palm and fingers of a patient. The base member has a cover which extends at least over the finger support area. A plurality of spaced parallel forwardly extending finger separators extend outwardly from said cover to form a plurality of finger channels therebetween. A flexible strap is secured to the base member and extends laterally across the separators and the channels. The cover and the separators are composed of a washable perspiration absorbing material.

Abstract: A wrist brace for correction of carpal tunnel syndrome and prevention thereof includes an elongated, flexible resilient member having a plurality of outwardly extending lips along an upper side portion of the flexible member. The outwardly extending lips are of preselected heights and lengths and at preselected positions to provide strategically located leverage and pressure points to relieve the restriction of the medial nerve and allows for substantially the normal use of the hand and wrist in a work or sport environment.

Abstract: The glove and associated structures provide both healing and support pressure on the user's tendons. When properly used, the integrated glove and associated structures will significantly aid in the support and healing of the hands, wrists and fingers of users. Not only will passive use of the tendon support structures help heal and soothe damaged tendons, but they will also help the user perform work tasks. In a first embodiment, an integrated glove provides finger and upper wrist support portion, along with a lower wrist band attached to the upper wrist support portion. In a second embodiment, a band system includes finger bands, a palm band, an upper wrist band and a lower wrist band which is used without interconnecting fabric, and the components of which may be used independently as needed. A third embodiment has a wrist band having palm band and wrist band portions.

Abstract: An immobilizing wrist brace in the form of a base conformable as a sleeve to a human wrist and including a longitudinal support member adapted to overlie the anterior portion of a wrist, the support member including a distal extension adapted to extend into the palmar area of the hand. A pair of anchor straps are fitted to the distal extension and extend therefrom in generally opposite directions to fit around different portions of the hand to allow ambidextrous use of the brace. A pair of straps encircle the brace to enhance wrist immobilization.

Abstract: The method of positioning the patella, as during knee movement, that includes providing a support wrap to extend about the knee, providing a first opening through the wrap to extend in registration with the patella; providing a buttress for biasing the patella, the buttress being apart from the support wrap, and positioning the buttress to locate the second opening in substantial registration with the first opening; and providing retainer flap means and attaching the flap means to the support wrap with the flap means extending over the buttress and holding the buttress in position biasing the patella.

Abstract: A hand held exerciser and key chain assembly includes a ball body having a plurality of elastomeric balloon layers and a particulate material packed within an innermost balloon layer. The balloon layers each have an opening therethrough. An inner attachment member having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of at least the opening of the outermost balloon layer is situated within at least the outermost balloon layer. An outer attachment member is snap engaged to the inner attachment member. A loop is connected to one of the attachment members and extends through the opening in at least the outermost balloon layer. A key chain is attached to the loop. As a result, an interesting and structurally sound hand held exerciser with key chain assembly is created.

Abstract: Time piece incorporated into a wrist brace to allow one to wear the wrist brace and a time piece. The invention comprises a wrist brace having a support web typically secured on the wrist by a strap which has a VELCRO.RTM. strip which is secured to a VELCRO.RTM. strip on the web. The time piece assembly comprises a looped band which has a two VELCRO.RTM. strips, one for engaging the VELCRO.RTM. strip on the web, the other for engaging the VELCRO.RTM. strip on the strap. The time-piece is operable from a control panel within the reach of the fingers on the hand extending from the wrist on which the wrist brace is worn.

Abstract: A wrist and two digit restraining device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome wherein the device comprises a palmar brace having a wrist support conformably receiving the wrist of a patient, a forward portion of the support supporting the heel and palm of the patient's hand and terminating at the base of the second, third and forth fingers of the hand, a thumb support extending at an angle from the forward portion of the support, a fifth finger support extending at an angle in the generally opposite direction from the thumb support, and attachment straps for the wrist support, the thumb support and the fifth finger support securing the device to the wrist, thumb and fifth finger over an extended period of time to create a fully abducted position of the thumb and fifth finger relative to the remainder of the hand with unrestricted motion of the second, third and fourth digits to relieve pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.

Abstract: An improved arm sling is provided comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member being joined together, a first curved member extending from the first elongated member and a second curved member extending from the second elongated member, the first curved member for engaging the neck of a user, and the second curved member for supporting an injured arm of the user. The method of using the improved arm sling according to the present invention comprises the steps of connecting the two elongated members, positioning the first curved member around the neck of a user, and supporting an injured arm of the user on the second curved member. The present invention has the advantages of being adjustable in length and being usable on either a right or a left arm.

Abstract: A disposable protective sleeve used for covering laryngoscopes has a sheath and a shield integrally formed of a flexible material. The sheath defines a hollow cavity adapted to enclose a laryngoscope blade. The shield is attached to the sheath and is suited to cover a portion of the laryngoscope handle. The disposable sleeve is molded of a flexible plastic in a size and shape to conform to a particular size and shape of laryngoscope blade. After use, the sleeve is disposed of and the laryngoscope is covered with a new sleeve before being used again.

Abstract: A therapeutic wrapping device for a limb, particular the ankle includes a wrapping member cut and sewn from an elastic fabric and defining a central strip portion with an opening for engaging over the heel and two wing portions for wrapping over the top of the ankle. Three separate bags are provided each containing a thermal gel material and each having a hook and loop fastener strip for engaging a cooperating strip on an inside of the wrapping member. The strips on the wrapping member are arranged so that two are at the top of the device spaced either side of a center line and the third is below the opening and arranged across the center line. The bags are placed over the strips so that two are arranged each on a respective side of the Achilles tendon and the third lies under the foot.

Abstract: A jogger exerciser including a first support frame and a second support frame pivoted together, two struts connected between the support frames, two knuckle members respectively and fixedly mounted on two top ends of the first support frame, two swing members respectively turned about the knuckle members and having a respective hand grip at the top and a respective foot plate at the bottom, and a transverse top frame connected between the knuckle members, wherein a pairs of pivoted links are respectively coupled between two opposite ends of a pivot in the transverse top frame and the two swinging members to guide the swinging of the swing members and to limit their swinging angle.

Abstract: An upper spine and neck support cushion. The cushion has a generally vertical spine support pillow which is held at its top end to a generally horizontal neck support pillow. The device is held onto the wearer by a pair of straps which hold the spine support pillow against the upper portion of the wearer's spine and the neck support pillow under the user's neck. When the user is resting against a chair or bed the spine support pillow gently provides support for the upper portion of the wearer's spine and the neck support pillow provides support for the neck while the head is rested upon the chair or bed upon which the user is resting.

Abstract: Hand, knee and elbow orthosis each have a deformable semi-rigid stiffener having two end plates joined by a narrow midportion and contained between thin foam sheets to make an insert. A launderable cover of terry cloth fabric with permanently attached straps and a zippered opening fully envelops the insert. The hand orthosis has symmetrical left and right thumb supports for ambidextrous application. A finger separator may be attached and adjustably positioned on the hand orthosis. The elbow and knee orthosis have a bifurcated center strap which receives the bony elbow or knee protrusion to hold the orthosis in place, and are symmetrical in length and width for convenient application insensitive to orientation of the orthosis on either a right or left limb.

Abstract: An isometric exercise device including a stretchable member and a vibratory portion. The isometric exercise device enables a person to perform an isometric exercise using the stretchable member while the vibratory portion generates vibratory pulses that are useful in providing a massaging action to a portion of the person's body.

Abstract: An exercise machine having a band connected at a first end to a longitudinally recipricable foot rest and sequentially extending around a first roller located at a first end of the machine, underneath the foot rest, and around a second roller located at a second end of the machine. A pair of handles is attached to the second end of the band.