Abstract: An improved bandage for application to a wound scab is provided. The bandage comprises a bandage strip defined by a material having an air porosity of at least 50 cubic ft./min./sq. ft. The strip includes three sections, two end sections and a middle section, all of which are preferably made from one continuous integrally formed porous material. The end sections have an adhesive which is applied to the underlying portion thereof to enable the bandage strip to be fixedly positioned over a wound scab. The central section, which is applied over the wound scab itself, solely comprises the porous strip material.

Abstract: A breathing mask with a mask body, which has a seal at its edge, which said seal is in contact with the user's face, wherein at least part of the seal that is in contact with the user's face is elastically deformable with spring characteristics ranging from linear to progressive and at least part of the seal that is in contact with the user's face is elastically deformable with degressive spring characteristic.

Abstract: A water-curable orthopedic splint, which can be immediately applied to an affected limb includes a water-curable orthopedic casting material, which is in the form of a splint, and a gel container. The word gel is meant to apply to a viscous semi-solid which can be applied over surfaces in an adherent film and will disperse and move in response to the movement of the practitioner's hands in molding and forming the adhesive bandage around the limb or in the formation of various shapes as splints prior to application to the patient. It is to be distinguished from a free-flowing liquid which drips when applied to a limb resulting in a messy environment.

Abstract: A knee band is composed of a band of an elastic fabric (1), the whole external face (3) of which has a dense population of tiny loops of a suitable non elastic thread, interwoven with other elastic and non elastic threads that constitute the fabric, that extends perpendicularly to the surface such to provide for an anchor surface to the hooks of a Velcro® (i.e., fabric hook-and-loop) fastener portion (2d). The band is tightened essentially around the lower portion of the articulation of the knee, without being wrapped around the whole articulation. A preformed shell (5) shaped for adapting to and shielding the front and side portions of the knee is superimposed externally to the elastic band (1) and is fixed on the outer surface of the latter by means of Velcro® (i.e., fabric hook-and-loop) fasteners.

Abstract: A product pump for pumping separated product gas from an oxygen concentrator which produces oxygen-rich product gas by utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process. The oxygen concentrator comprises a cartridge containing an adsorbent material for separating the product gas from ambient air, a vacuum pump which provides a vacuum source, a valve for selectively connecting the vacuum pump to the cartridge and product pump, and a reservoir. The product pump comprises a pumping chamber having a product gas inlet and a product gas outlet, a piston movable in the chamber, a vacuum inlet in the chamber on an opposite side of the piston from the product gas inlet and outlet for providing a vacuum to cause the piston to draw product gas through the product gas inlet into the chamber, and a spring for providing a spring force to force the product gas out the product gas outlet.

Abstract: A dose tape for use in a dry powder inhaler has blisters formed in a formpack layer. A lidstock layer is attached over the formpack layer, to seal a dose of dry powder within each of the blisters. A tear strip is attached to the lidstock layer over each of the blisters. Pulling on the tear strip shears out an area of the lidstock over the blister, unsealing the powder contents.

Abstract: The invention is a portable, non-pressurized oxygen generation device. A first chamber holds an oxygen liberating chemical, and a catalyst from a second chamber begins the oxygen liberating reaction when the two chemicals mix. The chemicals are pre-measured, and oxygen generation can begin within seconds of activation.

Abstract: In an orthopedic aid with two parts (15, 16) which are movable relative to one another and with a locking device for locking the two parts (15, 16) in a predetermined relative position and for unlocking the parts (15, 16) in order to permit movement of the parts (15, 16) with respect to one another, the unlocking can be advantageously controlled by the fact that the locking device can be actuated electromechanically from a control module (8, 8?), and an actuating signal can be sent by wireless transmission from an actuating unit (9?, 14) to the control module (8, 8?).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for a tracheotomy to be performed on a patient. The apparatus includes an applicator base with an aperture placed over the trachea. A firing mechanism is triggered by application of manual force to an actuator to propel a cutting instrument and grommet through the aperture of the applicator base to insert the grommet into the trachea. A supply of breathable gas may be provided through an air passage of the grommet and into the trachea and lungs of the patient. The methods provide for placing an applicator base of a tracheotomy device onto the neck of the patient so that a curvature of the applicator base fits to the curvature of the trachea and so that an aperture is over the trachea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for syndactyly of at least two fingers or toes, said device being in one piece and comprising at least two rings joined via at least one connection bar in such a way as to permit sliding of the syndactylized fingers or toes relative to one another.

Abstract: A positioning system used to limit movement of the leg, such as when required after hip surgery. In at least one embodiment, a boot, which extends around the foot and lower leg, is secured around each foot. As such, the boots can be used to cushion the feet while applying traction to the leg during surgery. After surgery, the boots are secured together in a side-by-side relationship. In addition, a leg strap is preferably used in conjunction with the boots to help hold the legs together. The leg strap preferably has a cushion that is positioned between the knees with a strap that is secured around each leg. Consequently, the positioning kit restricts certain motion of the affected hip while not restricting movement of the hips and knee and ankle joints unnecessarily.

Abstract: A diving snorkel assembly includes a snorkel tube and a casing. The snorkel tube includes a first portion and a second portion telescopically disposed relative to each other. The snorkel tube further includes an inner surface that defines an air passageway. The air passageway extends through the first portion and the second portion between a first end and a second end of the snorkel tube. A casing surrounds at least part of the first portion and the second portion. An interior of the casing is in fluid isolation from the air passageway. Due to the fluid isolation between the air passageway and the interior of the casing, mechanical mechanisms are sufficient to secure the casing in place such that the diving snorkel assembly may be made without the use of glue.

Abstract: A flanged interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion at least in part between adjacent vertebral bodies has opposed upper and lower surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies from within the disc space, a leading end for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies, and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The trailing end has a height greater than the maximum height of the disc space forming a flanged portion adapted to overlie a part of the anterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent and proximate the disc space to be fused. The flanged portion has at least two bone screw receiving holes, at least one each adapted to overlie each of the adjacent vertebral bodies at least in part. The implant has at least one locking element to lock one or more of the bone screws inserted in the bone screw receiving holes. Instrumentation for inserting the implant, forming screw holes in the vertebral body, and for locking the locking elements are disclosed.

Abstract: A liner for a patch used for covering the surface of a base agent layer of the patch may include a tear line portion for dividing and peeling the liner off the base agent layer is provided at a predetermined location. The thickness of the tear line portion may be made thinner than a generally average thickness of the liner. Therefore, when the patch is about to be used, the liner may easily be torn at the tear line portion and peeled off the base agent layer.

Abstract: A foot orthosis includes a generally “L”-shaped splint having a generally upright leg-engaging section and a forwardly-extending foot support section with at least a portion of the splint being substantially transparent. A generally flexible foot receiving and retaining boot is removably mounted on the splint for releasably securing a foot on the splint, and a tongue-receiving pocket is mounted on one of the splint and the boot, the tongue-receiving pocket having at least one opening and a tongue retaining section therein. A generally planar skid pad includes an attached tongue section projecting from the skid pad, and the tongue section of the skid pad is insertable into the tongue-receiving pocket such that the tongue is releasably secured in the tongue-receiving pocket and the skid pad is thus releasably secured on one of the splint and the boot.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for the nasal or oral delivery of a medicament, comprises: (a) a sealed flexible container (3) containing the medicament and a gaseous propellant for the medicament; and (b) a delivery device (5), comprising: (i) a main body part (5a) which, at least in use, holds the sealed flexible container (3); and (ii) a compressive part (5b) which, when actuated in use, causes the sealed flexible container (3) to be ruptured and the propellant to expel the medicament from the container, thereby delivering the medicament.

Abstract: A medical balloon, implantable in human tissue, of unitary silicone construction. The balloon is self-sealing upon removal of an inflation implement. The balloon device comprises a molded valve portion which is dip-coated in a silicone dispersion to create a balloon wall around and integral with the valve portion. Preferably, both the valve portion and the balloon wall are comprised of the same silicone material. The dipping process, combined with a vulcanizing process, creates a laminar wall which is strong and resistant to separation during inflation. The balloons may be used in for the treatement of urinary incontinence or vesicoureteral reflux, alternative procedures such as emboliztion or blocking of veins or arteries to accomplish the treatement of enlarged blood vessels in the brain or for treating severe uterine bleeding.

Abstract: A treatment device having an antimicrobial sheet material operably connected to an appliance. The antimicrobial material includes a first layer of polymeric material such as a gel composition containing a block copolymer and mineral oil, and a second layer that contains a bactericidal metal such as silver. The appliance retains the antimicrobial material in a selected position in the user's mouth, nose, or other body cavity; it may assume a variety of configurations depending on position and extent of the treatment site.

Abstract: An organizational treatment device and method for the treatment of obstructive pulmonary disease comprising both controller and rescue medications such that the need for rescue medication and consequent need for controller medication can be more certainly determined than at present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in a primary electronic mode or in a back-up pneumatic mode during primary electronic mode failure. A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in an advanced mode, having a number of ventilatory modes, or in a basic mode, having a limited number of ventilatory modes is also disclosed.