Abstract: A chemical-biological protective mask having a weight distribution that imparts a balanced center-of-gravity to the wearer of the mask, and is adaptable for different operational requirements by adjusting or altering the air flow through the mask. The protective mask includes a head covering to fully cover the wearer's head including a hood, a face piece having a visor contoured to the wearer's face, ducting within the mask connected to a filtering system mounted at the rear of the head covering and a purge airflow through the hood. Additional side or front mounted filters can be added to provide either parallel or series filtration with the rear mounted filters. A blower system may also be used to impart an airflow into the mask and improve breathing resistance.

Abstract: A self-contained heating and cooling orthopaedic brace is described. The brace generally includes a main body having straps to support the brace on the desired area of the body. These areas can include the back, knee, elbow and shoulder. The brace further includes inner pockets having heating and cooling pads connected to a temperature controller that allows manual adjustment of the desired temperature. The heating and cooling elements in the pad typically utilize the Peltier Effect. The temperature controller can include a rechargeable battery for prolonged use. In addition, the brace is a material that allows temperature retention for further prolonged use. The user's own body moisture is also retained for moist heat applications.

Abstract: A closed loop system uses (a) the intensity of the diaphragm electromyogram (EMG) for a given inspiratory volume; (b) the inspiratory volume for a given EMG intensity; or (c) a combination of (a) and (b); in view of controlling the level of gas flow, gas volume or gas pressure delivered by a mechanical (lung) ventilator. The closed loop ventilator system enables for automatic or manual adjustment of the level of inspiratory support in proportion to changes in the neuro-ventilatory efficiency such that the neural drive remains stable at a desired target level. An alarm can also be used to detect changes in neuroventilatory efficiency in view of performing manual adjustments.

Abstract: An oxygen enriching apparatus which can supply oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas to a user at proper timings, as well as a controller and recording medium therefore. In step 100, a signal from a pressure sensor 53 is input. In subsequent step 110, on the basis of the signal output from the pressure sensor 53, a judgment is made as to whether the state of inhalation can be detected. When the result of judgment is “Yes,” this means that an anomalous state exists. In this case, the processing proceeds to step 120. When the result of judgment is “No,” this means that the patient and the apparatus are normal. In this case, the present processing is suspended. When start of inhalation cannot be detected over, for example, a period of 10 seconds or more, an anomalous state is judged to have arisen. In step 120, because of the anomalous state having arisen, the electromagnetic valve 47 is driven to open the supply passage 29 so as to supply oxygen-enriched gas over a period of about 4 seconds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying respiratory oxygen to a patient where the oxygen flow is monitored so as to control and conserve oxygen in response to the pressure in the nasal passages of the patient.

Abstract: A tool for treatment of an ingrown toenail includes a tubular member having a length of about 1–2 cm and being tapered such that a diameter at a root is about 2 mm and a diameter at a tip is about 2 mm. Holes are distributed over the tubular member. The tubular member has a slit with saw-tooth edges and has a C-shaped cross section. A side edge of a nail plate is inserted into the slit and the saw-tooth edges secure the tubular member to the nail plate. A super elastic wire is inserted into one or more holes to fix the wire to the tubular member. An elastic force of the super elastic wire applied to the side edge of the nail plate is distributed substantially over a whole length of the side edge to correct the side edge into a flat shape.

Abstract: A respiration assisting apparatus is provided, including a first anchor structure for fitting between the teeth and the cheek of a first side of a user mouth to retain the apparatus in operational position; and a lip separating structure extending forwardly from the first anchor structure for passing between and separating the lips of a user. The first anchor structure and lip separating structure preferably include venting openings for permitting oxygen to reach adjacent mouth tissue. The first anchor structure preferably includes an upright first anchor panel. The lip separating structure preferably includes a projection channel extending longitudinally forward from the first anchor structure. The respiration assisting apparatus optionally additionally includes a tongue suppressing bridge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a brace with an integrated lumbar support system includes a belt adapted to be positioned about a user's lower torso, the belt including a tube at least partially integrated within the belt. The brace includes a lumbar pad coupled to the belt, the lumbar pad adapted to be positioned proximate the user's lumbar region and to be inflated to provide lumbar support to the user. The brace includes a pump coupled to the belt, the pump adapted to provide air to the lumbar pad through the tube at least partially integrated within the belt to inflate the lumbar pad.

Abstract: A breathing gas humidifier system for a patient includes a replaceable, closed water reservoir (1) with stable pressure, provided for receiving a water reserve for the breathing gas humidifier system. An intermediate storage unit (4) with water is closed from the environment and is located under the water reservoir. The water reservoir (1) and the intermediate storage unit (4) have a valve (16, 14) each, with one of the valves cooperating with the other valve, so that there is a flow connection between the water reservoir (1) and the intermediate storage unit (4) only when the water reservoir (1) is received in a connector (2) of the intermediate storage unit (4). The intermediate storage unit (4) is connected via a water connection line (5) located below the water level to a heated evaporator chamber (7), which opens above the water evaporating at the boiling point into the breathing gas line to a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee brace with straps engageable with the upper and lower leg and disposed above and below the knee, said straps being connected by a hinged rail extending over the knee at the side, said hinged rail comprising a fluid-inflatable padding and a hinged connection in the region of the knee. The padding comprises two optionally inflatable hollow pads connected by a channel, said hollow pads each being so disposed between the knee-distal straps and the hinged connection that, when the hollow pads are inflated, the knee is forced in relation to the straps into a position away from the hinged connection.

Abstract: An orthopedic wrist splint with an initially generally planar malleable metal core covered by a layer of synthetic foam padding material on each of its opposite sides and protected by an outer cover of fabric. In one embodiment, depending on the orientation of the splint relative to the patient, the splint provides greater or lesser firmness of support when the core is bent to conform the splint to the patient's hand, wrist, and forearm. In another embodiment, a central part of the length of the splint lacks the metal core and is flexible, so that two parts of the splint are easily used on opposite sides of an arm or ankle, with the central part comfortably bent around an elbow or a foot, and with the splint firmly supporting the limb.

Abstract: A splint positionable about a user's hand for treating phalanx fractures includes a flexible body having a first opening for receiving a thumb therethrough and a second opening for allowing selected metacarpals to extend distally therethrough. The present invention further includes a mechanism for maintaining the end portions at selected spatial relationships and a flexible aluminum plate for engaging fractured metacarpals while allowing medial and distal metacarpal phalangeal joints to move along unrestricted paths respectively. The splint further includes a mechanism for adjusting a length of the plate so that the fractured metacarpals can be adapted between mobile and immobile positions.

Abstract: A front-worn respiratory tube without fastening assemblies namely fastening rings, hooks, buttons, clamps, sheaths or strips, includes a head-top-portion tube, a forehead-portion tube, a mouth-eyebrow-portion tube, a mouthpiece and a fish-mouth-shaped mouthpiece in a downward direction in sequence. Wherein, the aforesaid five parts are either wedge-type structures or join-type structures at three parts (from the head-top-portion tube to the forehead-portion tube, from the forehead-portion tube to the mouth-eyebrow-portion tube, and from the mouth-eyebrow-portion tube to the mouthpiece portion). The forehead-portion tube utilizes water drag force to have the tube steadily staying close to the user's head. A water-drop-shaped sectional area at the head-top-portion tube is capable of minimizing water drag. The aforesaid structure according to the invention is adaptable to head dimensions and a height of a nose tip of the user.

Abstract: A castliner in the form of a three-dimensionally knitted sleeve comprises a microdenier yarn, and/or a spandex yarn, in particular, a spandex yarn having a flatter stress-strain curve than traditional spandex yarns. The use of the microdenier yarn contributes to the superior cushioning effect. The stretch and recovery properties of the particular spandex yarn contribute to superior fit and reduction of pressure points on the limb or body part to which the castliner is applied. Furthermore, the castliner is rendered water resistant and has significantly improved antimicrobial properties, both of which reduce incidents of skin irritation and unpleasant smell. As a result, the patient wearing the castliner of the invention is able to bathe and get wet without otherwise replacing the hard casting and castliner after such events.

Abstract: A hands-fee anesthesia mask includes a mask for providing anesthesia to the patient, a mask strap for holding the mask against a patient's mouth, and a jaw raising strap for raising the patient's jaw up and forward so as to unobstruct the patient's airway.

Abstract: A device combining internal nasal filtration and internal nasal dilation operating synchronously provides air filtration by retaining particulate in a single piece foam nasal filter during inhalation through the nose. Internal nasal dilation is provided by the effect of a resilient member adhesively affixed to the nasal foam filter and which when bent from a planar surface applies outward biasing forces to each nostril so that breathing is facilitated. The soft, gentle foam of the nasal filter distributes the biasing forces over a large area and protects the inside of the nose from irritation. An improved internal nasal dilator filter functions to provide increased air flow through dilation while removing various sizes of particulate through filtration.

Abstract: A pressure support system has a motor, a switching element that supplies power to motor windings, and a blower coupled to the motor. Rotation of the blower elevates a pressure of fluid in a patient circuit coupled to an outlet of the blower. A rotational speed controller maintains the motor at a set rotational speed corresponding to a selected pressure for the fluid in the patient circuit. The rotational speed of the motor is maintained by a switching signal provided by a rotational speed controller to the switching element to control the actuation of the switching element. A fluid parameter monitoring portion monitors a parameter associated with the flow of fluid in the patient circuit, such as the magnitude, direction, or volume, based on a characteristic, such as duty cycle, of the switching signal, or based on a characteristic of a control signal that is used to generate the switching signal.

Abstract: An orthotic brace is adjustable in response to a sensed brace parameter or a treatment regimen to optimize the attachment of the brace to a limb and alter the support provided to the muscles and ligaments of the joint.

Abstract: Individual respiratory gas supply device comprising a respiratory mask and a facial respirator of the cannula or respiratory flexible oro-nasal shell type for comfortably supplying a subject with respiratory gas during a high-altitude flight. The respiratory mask and the facial respirator are adapted so that in the event of de-pressurization or the presence of toxic gases, the subject equips himself with the respiratory mask possibly after having previously removed the facial respirator. Switching means make it possible to cut off the oxygen supply of the facial respirator and dispense oxygen to the regulator when the subject is equipped with the respiratory mask.

Abstract: A gas administration apparatus, e.g., anesthesia machine, making use of three or more gas flow, e.g., vaporizer, units removably mounted thereon by an interlock exclusion system. The interlock/exclusion systems is operative to prevent opening of any gas flow unit if one gas flow unit is already open and irrespective of how many gas flow units are mounted on the apparatus at the time.