Abstract: A brace or limb protector, which in hinging, matches the complex bending motion of the natural knee of a human being. The hinge mechanism has supports for the upper and lower leg which are attached to each other by a hinging mechanism which is connected to and pivots on the support at a first position (50) and a second position (72) respectively. Connection of the supports at the first position (50) is to the plate of the hinge mechanism and at the second position (72) to the arm which pivots on the plate at stud (61). This configuration of the hinging system allows the hinge mechanism of the brace or limb protector to follow the natural movements of the human knee at all degrees of natural movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area on a heart or other organ of a patient to enable a surgical procedures the apparatus comprising a bifurcated member having two elongated prongs and an elongated handle segment pivotally and rotatably attached to the bifurcated member. The handle segment can be movably attached to a rib retractor or other surgical device so that a person is not required to hold the handle segment. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a device to lock or fictionally hold the bifurcated member in a desired position both on the organ and relative to the handle segment during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: In the case of a joint support, and more particularly a knee joint support comprising an adjustment mechanism for an adjustment lever (24) limiting the pivot range of the distal splint (1) in relation to the proximal splint (2), the adjustment mechanism comprises a manually operated gear wheel drive with a drive gear wheel rotatably mounted on the distal splint (1), said drive gear wheel being in engagement with gearing provided on the adjustment lever (24).

Abstract: There is disclosed a medical correction device for correcting the attitude of a finger of the user which is prone to adopting an undesirable attitude, as is the case, for example, in conditions such as clawed fingers. The device comprises a base portion that can secure the user's hand or wrist to which a resilient member such as a coiled spring, and a rotatable projection member are attached. The resilient member is also attached to the rotatable projection member and subtends an angle therewith. In use, relative rotation between the projection member and the base portion gives rise to a restoring force exerted by the resilient member, a component of which acts on the finger. As the user bends his or her finger, the projection member rotates away from the base portion and reduces the angle subtended between the projection member and the resilient member.

Abstract: A non-invasive halo-type cervical brace includes an anterior vest overlying the patient's chest and secured tightly by straps extending behind the patient's back. The vest carries a rigid frame structure, including a U-shaped halo frame extending under the patient's chin and around the sides of the patient's head. The halo frame fastens to the frame by upright supports with adjustments aligning the orientation of the halo frame around the patient's head and relative to the anterior vest. A non-invasive halo mask affixed to the halo frame includes a two-part flexible halo immobilized in a position encircling the patient's head, extending generally horizontally around the forehead, the sides and back (occipital region) of the head.

Abstract: A knee orthosis to prevent hyperextension having a top portion secured to a patient's thigh, a lower portion secured to the patient's lower leg and a joint portion. A connection bar of variable width connects the two hinges of the joint portion in or near the popliteal space of the patient. The connection bar, the top portion and the lower portion include stop surfaces, which inhibit hyperextension of the patient's knee beyond a first predetermined angle and which inhibits bending of the patient's knee to less than a second predetermined angle. In addition, the top and lower portions include brace members having ventral and dorsal slits vertically offset from each other in order to produce a torquing action on the brace.

Abstract: A jaw exercising device which includes an outer frame having spaced apart cross members and an inner frame with spaced apart cross members coupled to the outer frame for movement therealong and outwardly extending blades for engaging the jaws of a patient carried by adjacent cross members of the outer and inner frame.

Abstract: A harness suitable for teaching a sports activity such as skiing or skating, the harness having a body strap which encircles the body of a child, first and second shoulder straps extending between front and rear portions of the body strap, and first and second support handles extending upwardly from the shoulder straps, first and second user handles extending from the harness for grapsing by the child.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting body motion as a patient lies down includes a pad shaped to prevent the patient from rolling over the pad. The pad is shaped so that it projects outwardly 3 inches or more from the patient when attached to the human body. The base of the pad contacts the patient's skin or sleep clothes. The pad has sidewalls which make an angle of greater than approximately 35° degrees with respect to the base. A removable, washable covering is placed on the pad. An attachment mechanism associated with the pad and the covering attach the pad and cover to the human body. The attachment mechanism can be a hook-and-loop fastener, a sports bra type device, a series of straps, a series of snaps, or a series of hooks. In each instance, the pad can be positioned at several positions on the body, including positions to the right or left of the patient's medial plane. More than one pad can also be used to limit the body motion of a patient.

Abstract: Bandage for the ankle joint, consisting of an elongate strip and of a strap secured on the elongate strip, the first transverse edge of the elongate strip being arranged essentially vertically on the medial side of the ankle joint, the elongate strip being guided round the heel, across the lateral side of the ankle joint, across the back of the foot in the medial-plantar direction and across the sole of the foot in the lateral-plantar direction, the first transverse edge of the elongate strip being secured on the elongate strip itself, and the strap being joined to the second transverse edge, the said strap being guided from the lateral side of the sole of the foot across the back of the foot to the medial side of the ankle joint, round the heel to the lateral side of the ankle joint and across the lateral side of the ankle joint and being secured.

Abstract: An ankle and foot therapeutic device for use in supporting a patient's foot and leg and selectively immobilizing the patient's ankle. The brace is of a multiple part configuration having a heel portion, leg portion and foot portion. The leg portion and foot portion being interconnected by a range of motion assembly. The range of motion assembly having a pivot point for adjustable plantar and dorsi flexion by the patient's foot. The heel portion having a configuration to provide a space with the patient's heel.

Abstract: Exercise devices in the form of gaiters and gloves for use during exercising in water, particularly in “deep water” with the user in generally vertical orientation. The devices are form fitting, resilient so as to preclude inadvertent injury during use, and adaptable for use by young and old, the physically fit, the lame or somewhat infirmed. When not in use, the devices are generally oval in cross-section. During use the devices conform to the user's arms and/or legs and provide a snug fit for precluding or minimizing slipping and misadjustment and provide a buoyant force on the order of two to ten pounds, more or less; a force of approximately three to six pounds is about right for a young adult lady.

Abstract: A system and methods for the production of cranial remodeling orthoses are described. The patient's head is scanned to produce three dimensional data. The scanned data is modified to produce data which is representative of a preferred head shape. The preferred head shape data is used to produce a custom cranial remodeling orthosis for the patient.

Abstract: A compression device for exerting pressure on an arm, shoulder, and/or trunk of a patient in need thereof (for example, a patient with hyperalgia or recovering from surgery in which the lymphatic system is affected), including an arm compression hose, a shoulder part for exerting pressure on the shoulder and trunk area, and a band-shaped fastening means for positioning the shoulder part and exerting pressure on the shoulder part. The arm compression hose exerts a pressure that decreases from a maximum pressure at the wrist or hand to a minimum pressure near the shoulder end of the arm, where the minimum pressure is approximately 70% of the maximum pressure. One or more lining pockets can be constructed on the inner lining of the compression device, where each lining pocket can hold one or more compression pads to increase tissue pressure in one or more body areas in need thereof. The compression pads each can have a shape that approximately conforms to the shape of the body part to which it is applied.

Abstract: A back support comprising a back support belt having flaps with fastening material for releaseably securing the flap ends in overlying relationship. Side pulls extend from the back portion of the support belt and also are provided with fastening material for securing the ends of the side pulls to the support belt and to each other. The side pulls are formed of overlying inner and outer portions in a known manner. The support belt has mounted thereon quick lock release buckles for attaching to the back support accessories, such as a standard apron having waist ties. The quick lock release buckles have male and female halves and pass through type securements on the separable halves. Preferably one of the securements is a double pass through type on the male halves in order to provide adjustability in securing the waist ties of a standard apron. Another feature of the invention is the provision of a means for holding the side pulls adjacent the secured flaps when the back support belt is mounted on a wearer.

Abstract: An orthotic device developed and customized to control the desired movement of the patient's defective lower limb. The device incorporates a footplate made of a rubber-like elastomeric material and a proximal segment that encompasses the foot at the metatarsophalangeal joints and the shin portion of the leg. This proximal segment is made of a rubber-like elastomeric material laminated into multiple layers of fabric throughout the proximal segment. Additional strips of fabric are positioned within the proximal segment of the device to limit or promote certain motions within the foot and ankle. This device incorporates a continuous closure from the foot to the proximal segment, creating total contact and hydrostatic containment of the foot and lower leg.

Abstract: A knee hinge appliance has a pair of hinge assemblies that are secured on the leg of a wearer on opposed lateral sides of the knee joint. Each hinge assembly is formed of juxtaposed first and second disks that rotate relative to one another about a transverse axis extending through the knee joint. The first disk has an upper arm secured to an upper strap or band that encircles the thigh just above the knee joint, and the second disk has a lower arm which is secured to a lower strap or band that encircles the lower leg just below the knee joint. The disks have a cam that slides freely in a circular channel with stop members that allow normal flexing of the knee joint but prevent rotation when the knee is subjected to a blow from the front and prevent excessive lateral movement between the upper and lower leg.

Abstract: The pneumatic Achilles wrap comprises a wrap including at least one strap for fastening the wrap around the foot and around the ankle. The wrap positions an arch cell which contains a dynamic volume of air within the wrap under a human foot. The arch cell is fabricated from a flexible material and is in communication with a conduit member. Upon application of external pressure to the arch cell, air is expelled from said air cell through said conduit member. The wrap also positions a tendon cell which contains a dynamic volume of air within the wrap against the Achilles tendon. The tendon cell is in communication with the arch cell via the conduit member. The tendon cell is also fabricated from a flexible material. Upon the expelling of air from said arch cell, the air enters through the conduit member into the tendon cell which exerts a greater pressure against the Achilles tendon.

Abstract: A weight plate having rotatable handles is disclosed. By rotating, the handles provide a sure grip to the user, while allowing the user to perform various exercises without adjusting his or her grip on the device. The handles also facilitate the safe loading and unloading of the device on plate-loaded exercise equipment. The weight plate may thus be used as a stand-alone exercise device, as a weight plate loaded onto a barbell or dumbbell bar, or as a weight plate used on plate-loaded exercise equipment.

Abstract: A cervical spine orthosis includes a neck collar, a load bearing chest plate and a support strut coupling the neck collar to the load bearing chest plate. The support strut can be pivotally connected to the neck collar so that when necessary the entire chest plate and support strut can be moved relative to the neck collar so as to permit access to a chest area of the patient without completely removing support for the patient's head and neck.