Abstract: A traction adjustable cervical collar transferring weight of the head from the cervical spine to the shoulders. A collar portion releasably encircles the neck and is inflated by inflating apparatus. A bladder of the inflating apparatus is a part of the collar portion and a squeezable hand bulb of the inflating apparatus selectively inflates the bladder. The bladder has a lowermost surface that is flat for preventing slippage along the shoulders of the wearer. The bladder has a pair of side walls and contains a plurality of ribs extending upwardly from the lowermost surface thereof and which have a portion of the pair of side walls of the bladder adjacent thereto being attached thereto so as to provide rigidity to the bladder and prevent it from rolling over onto itself during use.

Abstract: Surface micro-machined micro-needles (32) are formed as single needles (32) or in two-dimensional or three-dimensional micro-needle arrays (30). The micro-needles (32) are fabricated on a substrate (12) which can remain attached to the micro-needles (32) or can be subsequently removed. The two-dimensional or three-dimensional micro-needle arrays (30) can have cross-coupling flow channels (36) which allow for pressure equalization, and balance of fluid flow within the micro-needle arrays (30). Each of the micro-needles (32) has a micro-channel (36) therethrough that provides communication between at least one input port (37) at a proximal end of the micro-needles (32), and at least on output port (39) at an opposite distal end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folded medical cover (30) for use in operation rooms, especially for instrument tables (2) or operation tables or for the extremities of a patient. The cover comprises a tubular section (36) with at least one first open end (32) for putting the cover onto the table (2) or the extremity, and has a second, preferably closed end (34). The tubular section (36) is folded at least once transverse to its longitudinal direction (16) and the second end (34) functions as a stop (53) when the cover is pulled over the table or the extremity. The aim of the invention is to simplify handling of such a cover.

Abstract: An orthosis that provides hinging action between two shell parts that are on opposite sides of a skeletal joint of a limb is provided with joint components on the medial and lateral sides of the skeletal joint. A spherical bearing connection between two parts of each of the joint components is used. The spherical connection is such that the pivot axes of the medial and lateral joint component do not have to be precisely coaxial when hinging due to the accommodation by the spherical bearing. Also, in fabricating an orthosis, a dummy joint component is used in the molding process, or, for metal frame fabrication and repair, the joint is plugged in neutral alignment during the fabrication process.

Abstract: A hinge system for a knee brace features a flexion-extension regulating device which is adapted to engage an end portion of the knee brace's upper strut. An elongated main slot is formed through the regulating device to provide a fixed boundary for limiting range of motion. A motion limiting member is connected to the regulating device and is further adapted for connection to an end portion of the knee brace's lower strut. The motion limiting member includes a motion limiter that is disposed within the main slot. The motion limiter is caused to move therealong when the upper and lower struts pivot about a user's knee joint. By confining the motion limiter within the fixed boundary formed by the main slot, the hinge system ensures that the user's knee joint flexes and extends within the prescribed range of motion.

Abstract: A pressure generating system and method for generating a flow of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The system includes a pressure generator and a pressure regulator downstream of the pressure generator. The system monitors a characteristic associated with the pressure regulator, the fluid flow downstream of the pressure regulator to the patient, the fluid flow upstream of the pressure regulator, the fluid flow exhausted from the pressure regulator, or any combination thereof. A controller coupled to the pressure generator controls an operating speed of the pressure generator based on the monitored characteristic(s) so that the output of the pressure generator is only kept as high as needed to provide the desired pressure to the patient.

Abstract: A surgical drape provides a volume to accommodate radiological equipment such as a C-arm x-ray device without pulling the bottom of the drape up which could otherwise interrupt the sterile field. In one preferred embodiment, the space is created with pleated or gathered section, which receives the equipment as it is brought up laterally without lifting any portion of the material overall. A different embodiment of the invention includes a tunnel or tent formed in the material, generally without pleating. In this case, the tunnel or tent extends from the bottom of the drape to or above a patient-contacting procedural area. As a further option, in either the pleated or shaped configurations, additional material may be included to form a slit to further shroud the radiological equipment when positioned for a medial-lateral exposure.

Abstract: An orthotic foot device that can be fastened to a person's bare foot is provided. The orthotic has a U-shaped hindfoot supporting region and an arched midfoot supporting region. A method for stabilizing and supporting a bare foot with the orthotic is also provided. The orthotic can be taped to a bare foot so that the foot is held in a neutral position upon foot impact. The orthotic is particularly suitable for bare foot athletes such as dancers and gymnasts.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat from a first fluid to a second fluid, which is separated from the first fluid, having a stack-like or saucer-like structure comprising at least two plies (1, 2, 3), in particular plates (1, 2, 3), whereby each ply (1, 2, 3) comprises a heat-transferring area that has numerous passages (11, 12, 13), an inlet area located in front of the heat-transferring area in the direction of flow, and an exit area located behind the heat-transferring area in the direction of flow is proposed in which a relatively large heat-transferring surface area is realized in a small volume, hereby ensuring uninterrupted operation, even when the pressure differential between the two fluids is great. This is achieved according to the invention in that the inlet and/or exit area comprises at least one support element (18).

Abstract: A cervical collar comprising an inner and an outer region, a spinal support region, an occipital support region and a neck support region, said spinal support region including upper edges, lower edges, and side edges, a fastening strap affixed to said upper edge of spinal support region, a bridge member connecting occipital support region with spinal support region, said bridge member adapted to fold with a hinging means, said occipital support region including an upper edge, lower edges, a side edge, and anchoring strap affixed to said side edge, said neck support region including an upper edge, a side edge, and a sternum edge, said upper edge affixed with cooperating hooks, a dual adjustment system located on neck support region including tabs, female members, locking teeth, windows and bars, said tab affixed with said pawl, said pawl to engageably fit said locking teeth, said inner region comprising foam adhesively affixed to plastic, said inner region including a mandible support on neck support region, s

Abstract: Contraceptive intrauterine devices made of thin film shape memory alloy materials. The devices are formed in three-dimensional shapes which contact uterus tissue of a human or other mammal to prevent conception. In certain embodiments, structural features such as tails, fenestrations, ridges or grooves are formed on the devices to enhance the contraceptive effect.

Abstract: A harness assembly for a nasal mask for communicating breathable gas to a patient's airways, for example, in the administering of CPAP or like breathable gas delivery treatments, includes a cap portion adapted to engage, in use, the occipital region of the skull. The cap portion includes a connector at each end. The harness assembly also includes a pair of upper and lower straps, each of the straps extending between one of the cap connectors and the nasal mask. The harness assembly grips the head in a region substantially fixed relative to the face and, as such, tension of the straps is not substantially affected by head movement.

Abstract: A casting product for forming a hard structure about an object including a flexible fibrous substrate impregnated with a fluid-activated resin and a protective flexible casing surrounding the impregnated substrate. The casing includes a sealable passageway defined between the atmosphere and the interior of the casing, and is configured to permit injection of fluid, and removal of vapors and extant fluid with a vacuum from the casing.

Abstract: An adjustable vaginal pessary (2) comprising a body (4) with an outer periphery, and an inner periphery defining an aperture (10). The pessary further comprises at least one adjustable portion (12,13) located on the body between said inner and out peripheries. The adjustable portion is bounded by two ends (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) of the body interfacing therewith. T portion is adapted to vary the distance between the two ends in the direction along the body's perimeter, thereby adjusting the length of the peripheries.

Abstract: The dismountable multi-position stander has a carriage, a body support assembly, and a mounting assembly detachably mounting the body support assembly onto the carriage in a single coupling direction. The mounting assembly has upper and lower mounting elements detachably engaging with each other in the coupling direction. The lower and upper mounting elements are respectively connected to the carriage and the body support assembly.

Abstract: A shelter frame kit is adapted for detachably mounting in front of a primary spectacle frame wherein the shelter frame kit for supporting two auxiliary lenses includes a bridge extended between the two auxiliary lenses, two shelter arms having two pivot hinges affixed on upper sides of the two auxiliary lenses respectively, and two interlocking device provided at two ends of the two shelter arms respectively for interlocking with two rim lockers of the primary spectacle frame such that the auxiliary lenses are adapted for pivotally folding from a closed position to an open position, wherein in the closed position of the shelter frame kit, the two auxiliary lenses are respectively positioned in front of two lenses of the primary spectacle frame, and in the opened position of the shelter frame kit, the two auxiliary lenses are 180-degree flipped over the two lenses of the primary spectacle frame respectively.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: The device for creating a curtain of air across the face is a headset with a fan mounted thereon. The outlet of the fan has flexible tubing or cowling which allows for control of both direction and cross section of a curtain of air that crosses the face. The curtain of air prevents airborne particles and chemicals from making contact with the face.

Abstract: A barrier device for applying a surgical cloth adjacent to the location on a patient's body where a surgical intervention is to be performed, the barrier device having an upper side of which a part is intended to abut against the underside of the surgical cloth. An underside is intended to abut against the patient's skin. The barrier device has a front edge and a rear edge near and at a distance from, respectively, the location on the patient's body where the surgical intervention is to be performed. The barrier device is on its underside at the front edge provided with a first adhesive portion, and on its upper side provided with a protruding, elongate and flexible fastening flap which on the side facing the rear edge is provided with a second adhesive portion for adhesion to the surgical cloth.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter mask for filtering air inhaled and exhaled from the mouth and nostrils while providing a positive facial lock at all edges of the mask. The filter mask has upper and lower edges which are provided with malleable stiffeners for conforming to the shape of the wearer's nose and cheek area and the lower jaw and chin area, respectively. The material of the filter mask is folded to have an omega pleat for forming a breathing chamber and a secondary pleat for assisting in securing the mask to the lower jaw and chin area. A pair of headbands are used to hold the mask on the head. The peripheral edges of the mask are bound. The mask provides excellent filtration since the positive facial lock around all edges of the mask substantially prevents air from leaking between the mask and the face.