Abstract: A uniaxial orthopaedic hinge (1000, 2000) has a substantially circular body forming a recessed housing (1022, 2022). A back plate (1006, 2006) has an extension into a stub arm (1004, 2004) for attaching to the arm of an orthosis and is fixed to the recessed housing (1022, 2022). A locking plate (1008, 2008) also has an extension into a stub arm (1002, 2002) and is disposed in a parallel manner between the recessed housing (1022, 2022) and the back plate (1006, 2006). The circular recessed housing (1022, 2022) is provided with a recess (1100, 2100) housing a lock actuator (1102, 2102) having a latching dog (1126, 2126) and also fitted with a biasing leaf spring (1104, 2104). The latching dog (1126, 2126) co-operates with a latching hole (1128, 2128) in the locking plate (1008, 2008) when the hinge (1000, 2000) is in the fully extended position.

Abstract: An orthopedic appliance that is designed to assist in the reduction of an anterior dislocation, during a course of treatment given to a person who is laying horizontal on a table or similar elevated surface, with the affected arm hanging directly downward. The appliance eliminates the need for a person to grip or in any way consciously hold on to weighted objects, thereby allowing the patient to fully relax during the treatment procedure. The appliance comprises one or more forearm straps which are wrapped around the forearm of the person receiving treatment, where one or more weighted units are attached to the forearm straps, with extending supports so that the weights hang down, so that a direct downward pull on the affected arm is possible. Said weighted units may be attached to the forearm straps using one or more descending loops, in which weights such as dumbbells may be placed.

Abstract: A heel support apparatus (10) has a substantially flat base portion (12) for resting on a bed surface. An inclined top region (14) of the support apparatus (10) slopes in the upward direction toward the distal region (15) of the support apparatus. The heel support apparatus (10) further includes a central downwardly extending well area (16) for receiving the heel of a patient's foot. A downwardly concaving trough (18) extends from the proximal portion (20) of the support apparatus (10) to intersect the well (16) for receiving the back of the patient's lower leg up to the Achilles tendon region, just above the heel. Substantially the entire length of the patient's lower leg is supported by the downwardly concaving trough (18) while the patient's heel is suspended above the bottom of the well (16), preventing the heel from having to bear the weight of the lower leg.

Abstract: A leg brace is provided including an upper support for engaging an upper portion of a shin of a user. An intermediate frame includes a plurality of generally vertically oriented rods coupled to the upper support and depending therefrom. Coupled to bottom ends of the rods of the intermediate frame is a lower support for supporting a foot of the user.

Abstract: A joint immobilizer includes a flexible wrap body with a central portion and two edges such that the central portion is adjacent an anterior or posterior side of a joint to be immobilized and the two edges are adjacent the opposite side of the joint when the wrap is disposed around the joint. The body is cut along the central portion to size the wrap to an actual joint. The body includes two chambers disposed to lie adjacent medial and lateral sides of the joint. A joint therapy method comprises sizing a lateral body member and a medial body member to a joint in a human or animal to be immobilized. This includes: identifying where the body members are to be cut relative to indicia on the body members; and cutting where identified.

Abstract: A support belt to be worn around the waist of a person includes an elongated multi-layer strip. The elongated multi-layer strip includes a center portion and a pair of ends. The elongated multi-layer strip is sized and shaped so as to encircle the waist of the person with the center portion positioned against the back of the person and the pair of ends positioned against the front of the person, the pair of ends being releasably fastenable together to secure the support belt around the waist of the person. The center portion of the elongated multi-layer strip is shaped to define an angle of lordosis of approximately 15 degrees in the lumbar spinal region. A pair of inwardly curved sections sized and shaped so as to urge against the iliac crests of the person wearing the support belt are mounted on the multi-layer strip. The multi-layer strip may comprise a layer of rigid plastic and a pair of layers of a soft compressible plastic.

Abstract: A nasal splint obturator for maintaining splint passageways open and unblocked having a yoke-like device including spaced-apart and parallel arms joined by a cross member with a downwardly depending finger-grasping element. The arms are elongated of semi-circular cross-section having opposing inner flat surfaces and curved outer surfaces. In another version, a single elongated member is employed of hollow construction and including a finger hole adapted to be temporarily covered to permit evacuation by suction techniques.

Abstract: An orthopedic protective device to protect limb extremities against injury. The device is typically used in conjunction with a cast, and encloses the limb extremity, while providing airflow within the device to reduce the risk of infection. A combination of gripping strips and gripping straps provide an easy means to attach and remove the device from the extremity. The device can also be used in combination with a surgical boot to protect the device and the cast from damage that may occur when the patient walks.

Abstract: The ulnar support splint is formed of a continuous spiral having a first end, a midpoint and a second end. The splint can be made of a semi-rigid material being molded to the user's hand. The splint provides lateral support to a user's fingers through at least three points of contact, including the ulnar medial side of at least one finger, the web space between the user's thumb and metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's index finger and the user's wrist distal the user's ulnar styloid. A method for providing lateral support to the fingers using the splint applies pressure at the least three points creating counterbalancing pressure points.

Abstract: An orthotic garment (1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) has adhesion bases (2) on injury-protective portions of the orthotic garment, injury-protective strips of material (3) attached selectively to the adhesion bases, and a body-protective wrapper such as webbing (4), an injury-covering strap (13) or tape (11) that is fastened selectively to an outside periphery of the garment on an injured portion of a person's body. A method includes determining advantageous support for an injury on a person; providing a garment that fits onto an injured portion of the person and has adhesion bases on injury-protective portions of the orthotic garment; attaching injury-protective strips of material to the adhesion bases; positioning the orthotic garment on the injured portion of the person and wrapping an outside periphery of the orthotic garment selectively to protect the injury.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for use in performing surgery upon a patient at a surgical siting includes an annular frame conformed to fit the surface of the patient's body at the site, the frame having a plurality of notches, each having a width. A plurality of stays are provided each including an elongated elastic member having a length, a width, and proximal and distal end portions. The width of each elastic member is preferably greater than the width of the notches so that the stay forms a connection with the annular frame by engaging a selected portion of the elastic member into a notch. At least a portion of one of the elastic members includes a section of hollow elastic tubing having a bore surrounded by a tubing wall. A tissue holding member includes a handle plate forming a first plane, the plate having a thickness, a length, and a height. A wide section of the tissue holding member is much wider than the diameter of the tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toe splint for an outer toe, having a rear holding part, which is to be placed against the metatarsus, and a supporting part, which is integrally connected thereto and is to be placed upon the toe to be supported. The holding part and the supporting part each have a side portion to be placed against the outer edge of the foot or toe. The improvement according to the invention consists in the fact that the side portions are continuously joined in the manner of a splint.

Abstract: A heel elevating device is adapted for being applied to the lower leg of a reclined patient to elevate the heel of the patient above a supporting surface. The heel elevating device includes a generally U-shaped lower leg support having a base and first and second opposed extensions. The extensions define an opening therebetween for receiving and supporting the lower leg of the patient. A comfort liner is secured to an interior of the lower leg support for cushioning the lower leg and providing a soft, protective surface against the skin of the patient. Adjustable fitting straps are provided for adjustably fitting the lower leg support to the lower leg of the patient.

Abstract: A cervical traction device which can be used on a support surface such as a bed which applies a tractive force to the back of the patient's skull approximate to the occipital bone through the use of contoured blocks which can preferably be positioned behind the patient's head and mounted on a head rest assembly. The tractive force can be administered in a continuous cyclical or intermittent manner controlled by the patient during a cervical traction session. The device has an integrated damping system which permits return of tractive force to the patient during each cycle in a gradual fashion. This gradual return enables this unit to closely simulate cyclic, and cyclic intermittent traction performed in the more expensive in-office equipment used by physical therapists. The head rest assembly slides on the bed or similar surface and can be vertically and laterally adjusted to vary the flexion-extension angle.

Abstract: A body support garment having a tubular elastic section for enclosing a body member is provided. The tubular section has an inner surface with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion providing a gripping surface and the second portion providing a predetermined circumferential strain ratio. The garments can be provided in the form of a pant or a vest.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axle or axis supported by the frame, a pedal bar which has first and second ends, a pedal that is secured to the pedal bar, an ellipse generator, and a track. The ellipse generator is secured to both the pivot axis and to the first end of the pedal bar such that the first end of the pedal bar moves in an elliptical path around the pivot axis. The track is secured to the frame and engages the second end of said pedal bar such that the second end moves in a linear reciprocating path as the first end of the pedal bar moves in the elliptical path around the pivot axis. Consequently, the pedal also moves in a generally elliptical path. As the pedal moves in its elliptical path, the angular orientation of the pedal, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, varies in a manner that simulates a natural heel to toe flexure.

Abstract: Patients' limb immobilizers for stabilizing fractured or broken limbs, which may be enclosed in casts, are structured to eliminate rolling movement of the limb, to promote comfort and healing. Laterally extending support bases resting on a bed or other underlying support surface are provided with a pair of upwardly-extending limb-embracing elements, which are adjustable to provide close embrace of the patient's limb. The elements may be rigid or flexible; they are releasably clamped on the patient's limb for optimum immobilization.

Abstract: A biomedical apparatus, particularly for detecting and evaluating the posture of the rear part of the feet (heels). The apparatus comprises a resting base provided with a flat upper surface on which, in the operating configuration, the feet of the patient being evaluated rest, and on which two removable reference heel units for the heel region of the feet are conveniently associated, so as to provide positioning of the feet. The surface has reference graduations in order to measure the gait angle or walking angle of the foot. The apparatus comprises a slider which is slidingly coupled to the base and is suitable to support and move a camera along a preset circular arc located to the rear of the heels of the patient, at a preset focal distance.

Abstract: A limb guard for protecting a part of a limb from an external impact force includes an elongate pad member to shield the part of the limb, and a one-piece resilient impact absorbing member. The pad member extends in a lengthwise direction of the limb and has a rear surface to face the limb, and a front surface. The impact absorbing member is disposed upon the pad member, and includes two lateral end portions and a plurality of cushioning units in the form of consecutive box pleats between the lateral end portions.

Abstract: A paraseptal splint for use in surgical nasal septoplasties and septovalvuloplasties. The splint comprises a laminar body made of biocompatible material which has a posterior portion meant to be arranged paraseptally in the nasal fossa and, in the medioposterior septal region, and an anterior wing meant to be arranged in the vestibular region, in the valvular region and in the anterior septal portion of the nose. The anterior wing has an anterosuperior portion which is pre-folded, or meant to be folded, with respect to the plane of arrangement of the remaining part of the laminar body, at an angle which corresponds to the anatomical angle between the septal cartilage and the triangular cartilage in the valvular region of the nose.