Abstract: A suspension system for the care and prevention of wounds on the body of a user includes an array of removable suspension devices forming a flexible sheet. Each suspension device is removably coupled to at least on other suspension device. The suspension devices are selectably removable from the array in order to define a space within the sheet which approximates the size of a target area on the body of the user. A disposable garment for the body of a user includes an absorbent portion and a wound are and prevention suspension portion. The absorbent portion has fluid pervious inner sheet, a fluid impervious outer sheet and at least one layer of absorbent material disposed between the inner and outer sheets. The wound are and prevention suspension portion is coupled to the absorbent portion.

Abstract: A massage machine is provided which is adapted to give a suitable massage in accordance with the degree of stiffness or degree of relaxation of the person to be massaged, based on the results obtained by measuring the body outline of the person and physiological data as to the person such as the pulse rate and skin temperature. The massage machine measures the body outline of the person, and measures physiological data concerning the person which is produced by massaging the person. The body outline of the person, such as the position of the neck, shoulder, back and waist is measured, and the measured physiological data is used to discriminate between the part of great stiffness and the part of low stiffness so as to give an effective massage in accordance with the degree of stiffness.

Abstract: A massaging apparatus (1) with a casing (2) with casing walls (6, 7, 8, 9) of which part (10, 11) can be placed on the skin of a user during operation and moved over the skin, and with a suction chamber (17) which is designed to open towards the skin of the user and is bounded by suction chamber walls (18, 19, 20, 21), at least part (19, 21) of which transforms, in a transitional area (22, 23), into the part (10, 11) of the casing walls (6, 7, 8, 9) which can be placed on the skin of the user, the part (10, 11) of the casing walls (6, 7, 8, 9) which can be placed on the skin of the user being structured so as to be rough with a roughness of maximum 10 &mgr;m while in the transitional area (22, 23) a roughness of 0.4 &mgr;m at the most is present.

Abstract: An angularly adjustable traction apparatus (10) for applying traction forces to a patient's limb wherein the apparatus (10) includes a base platform member (20) provided with a rail unit (14) that is raised relative to the base platform member (20) and a limb immobilizing unit (12) and pulley unit (13) slidably disposed on the rail unit (14) and adapted to be angularly adjusted relative thereto; wherein, the pulley unit (13) includes a support post member (50) and a pulley member (60) suspended from the support post member (50) and provided with a bracket element (61) whose height can be varied to the base platform member (20).

Abstract: A minimally invasive device for performing direct cardiac massage including an inflatable bladder mounted on a rigid inflation tube. The rigid inflation tube is used to push the bladder into the sternocostal space through an incision in the upper abdomen just below the xiphoid process. After insertion into the sternocostal space, the bladder is repeatedly inflated and deflated to massage the heart and provide blood flow.