Abstract: A system for intermittent, sequential, graduated compression of a multicompartment inflatable cuff by means of a single pulsing air pump and a single air tube connecting the pump to the cuff. Each more proximal compartment is inflated through a fluid restrictor communicating with its adjacent more distal compartment. The maximum pressure in the most proximal compartment is limited by a fluid restrictor bleeding air to atmosphere and the pressure in the most proximal compartment is always less than the pressure in the adjacent more distal compartment. The maximum pressure in the most distal compartment is controlled by a pressure relief valve. In a second embodiment, deflation is through a restrictor located in the supply line to the cuff and deflation of each more proximal compartment is through a one-way check-valve that permits flow of air from a proximal compartment to a distal compartment but not in the reverse direction.

Abstract: The abdominal exerciser device is made of a one piece skeletal frame. The frame defines a pair of support rails, a pair of arcuate rocker portions, a pair of arm rest portions and an upstanding arch-shaped portion connecting the support rails together. Removable cushions are disposed on the arm rest portions to receive the elbows of the user when in a supine position. The head and neck of a user are supported on a support extending across the arch-shaped portion. The rocker portions are curved on a circular arc to mimic the curvature of the spine of the user.

Abstract: A resuscitation breathing apparatus includes a high pressure source of breathable gas and an inhalation chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A face mask is connected to the outlet of the inhalation chamber. Inhalation and exhalation check valves in the face mask allow air to enter and exit a patient's lungs. An inhalation valve, connected between the inhalation chamber and the high pressure source, is controlled to open and close the inhalation valve when the pressure reaches first and second values, respectively. The inhalation chamber is vented to lower the pressure within the chamber after the inhalation valve is closed. The apparatus further includes a chest compressor in the form of an inflatable cuff for applying pressure to the patient's lungs during the exhalation phase. The cuff is inflated by gas from the high pressure source when the inhalation valve is closed.

Abstract: An active compression/decompression CPR device capable of providing both complete cardiopulmonary support and cardiopulmonary assistance includes two or more thoracic compressors, preferably inflatable bladders, positioned so that the chest can first be flattened and compressed, increasing the pressure in the chest, and then circularized and decompressed, decreasing the pressure in the chest. When inflatable bladders are used, they can be surrounded with a rigidifying vest which resists outward bladder expansion. Compression and decompression can be performed along with abdominal compression, and the device is capable of shifting between support and assist modes when the patient's condition so requires.

Abstract: Disclosed is a limb exerciser mainly including an outer wheel housing and an inner wheel set in the outer wheel housing. With frictional members disposed between the contact surfaces of the outer wheel housing and the inner wheel, as well as actuating members oppositely disposed at two sides of the inner wheel, the inner wheel can be rotated relative to the outer wheel housing by pushing or pedalling the actuating members to produce frictional force or resistance and thereby helps the user to conveniently take hand or foot exercise at a desk top or on a floor or ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for administering interposed abdominal counterpulsation cardiopulmonary resuscitation (IAC-CPR) to a patient. A generally rectangular board-like device having a chest compression pad and an abdominal compression pad depending from the underside is positioned on the torso of the patient and gripped at opposed ends by the hands of a person treating the patient. Force is applied alternately to each opposed end in a "see-saw" fashion to administer chest compressions in alternating sequence to abdominal compressions corresponding to the systole and diastole heart phases. The device may have a locator aperture through which the person treating the patient may manually or visually locate the breastbone of the patient to facilitate proper positioning and the pads may be adjustably positioned relative to one another to fit various size patients.

Abstract: An exercise frame includes an upstanding back rest and an intersecting seat, with a pair of exercise arm assemblies supported along corresponding sides of the back rest and exercise leg assemblies supported along corresponding sides of the seat. Each arm and leg assembly is segmented and linked together so as to limit and restrict movement of the distal ends of each arm or leg assembly along a straight line passing through the corresponding proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: An apparatus to relieve back and leg pain comprising a housing with fasteners for mounting the housing to a ceiling. A pair of cable lines extend downwardly from the housing, while a foot support is affixed to the lower ends of the cable lines. A mechanism is for controlling the vertical movement of the foot support by raising and lowering the cable lines. A person can lie down on their back upon a horizontal surface under the ceiling adjacent the foot support and place their feet upon the foot support when lowered. The foot support can be raised to assist in easing the back and leg pain the person is suffering from.

Abstract: A hand held aquatic exercising device includes a handle and relatively moveable hydroresistive elements at respective ends of the handle. The hydroresistive elements can be moved to different positions relative to a longitudinal axis through the handle. In another embodiment the hydroresistive elements are selectively removable from the handle. The hydroresistive elements can be assembled in different relative positions with the handle. The handle is selectively solid or hollow. The device thereby presents a resistance to the water that can be varied according to the desires of the user. The hydroresistive elements may be cup-like and may be flexible to facilitate reversal about their bases. A hand gripping element facilitates rotation of the handle about the longitudinal axis while the gripping element is held in the palm of a user and the device is moved through water.

Abstract: A remedial hand wear article is for use by individuals who have suffered nerve damage which diminishes use of the hand. The article comprises (a) a glove for comfortably fitting onto a hand of an individual, (b) an enclosure permanently attached on the glove's top side and superimposed over at least one finger of the glove, and (c) a restraining member positioned within the enclosure so as to be operably associated with a finger of the individual to hold that finger in a desired position. The hand wear article is designed to remedy problems caused by different nerve damage in that one to five enclosure elongated sections are permanently attached over glove fingers depending on which finger(s) of the individual is affected by the damaged nerve. The glove portion of the hand wear article provides comfort to the user while also serving to lessen the noticeability of any hand or finger grotesqueness.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a therapeutic exercise device having a polyhedral foam body. The body may comprise a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side for supporting a top side. The top side may include a sloping surface and a plurality of arcuate surfaces cooperating to properly support and position an exerciser's legs, pelvic region and spinal vertebrae system to develop and maintain the musculoskeletal system.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which is capable of producing multiple motions. The apparatus is useful in one embodiment as a continuous passive motion foot or hand machine.

Abstract: An aquatic exercise device which has a dual configuration of (1) a hand-held buoyancy swimming kickboard; and (2) a buoyancy device worn around the human's midsection. The device is a buoyant board element which is substantially elongated, of greater length than width, and having large surface areas at opposite sides thereof. Affixed to and/or projecting from the buoyant board element are opposing limbs of band elements. When secured around the human midsection, the device is used in deep water to support the human in a relatively or substantially vertical position. This allows upright exercise while the human is freely suspended with the head and most or all of the neck above water, and the lower extremities bearing no weight, feet not touching bottom. When the band is folded and/or wrapped and fastened around the board or removed, the board can be used as a kickboard. An auxilliary buoyant element is provided for location in different selective positions relative to the band and/or board.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable hand mounted device for tractioning a finger having a fractured bone and at the same time continuously flexing and extending the joint to which the fractured bone is proximally attached in order to prevent joint deterioration. More particularly, the device may be made in an inexpensive manner by medical personnel and is a light, less cumbersome device than that in the prior art. A drive motor is carried by a cast-like support which is attachable to the forearm and hand for substantially immobilizing the wrist joint and joints of the hand proximal to the joint which is immediately proximally connected to the broken bone. The support carries a frame or hoop defining a substantially arcuate path of motion for carriage travel while flexing and extending the joint of the fractured finger. The carriage rides on the hoop first in one direction and then in the other direction along the arcuate path.

Abstract: An exercise unit for applying a rectilinear vibration and a swing vibration to the user. The exercise unit is divided into a lateral vibration part and a swing vibration part which are driven by two separated driving motor respectively. The lateral vibration part converts a rotative motion of the motor into a rectilinear vibrating motion to provide the user with the rectilinear vibration. The swing vibration part converts the rotative motion into a swing vibrating motion to provide the user with the swing vibration. The two parts may be selectively driven by a single driving motor.

Abstract: An exercising machine that has an adjustable actuator arm assembly coupled to a weight stack by a pulley/cable assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm that lifts the weight stack when rotated through an arc. The machine is constructed with a frame that has a vertical bar. The actuator arm is coupled to a sleeve assembly that can slide along the vertical bar, to provide a number of operating locations. The machine also has a first cable that is coupled to the actuator arm. The cable is looped around a first tension pulley, a first floating pulley and then fixed to the sleeve assembly. The first floating pulley is coupled to a second cable that loops around a second tension pulley and is attached to the weight stack. When the actuator arm is rotated, the first floating pulley is pulled in a downward direction. The movement of the first floating pulley pulls the second cable and lifts the weight stack in an upward direction.

Abstract: A kinetic rehabilitation device employing controlled passive motion for use in the rehabilitation of the lumbar spine. The device includes a frame, a body support secured to the frame, a control panel, a first and second member secured to the support and pivotally attached to diametrically opposed sides of the frame, and a screw drive assembly for pivoting the first and second members about said frame. A first optical sensor assembly is mounted on one of the pivoting members to zero the body support about its longitudinal axis. A second optical assembly is mounted on the screw drive assembly to feed positional information to the control panel.

Abstract: An ankle calf exerciser/phlebo pump adapted to reduce the development of deep vein thromboses (DVT), leg edema, muscular atrophy and ankle joint stiffness in postoperative orthopedic patients. An efficient and simple driving mechanism is provided from imparting an alternating and reciprocating movement of a pair of foot paddles. The foot paddles are coupled to the driving mechanism such that only the patient's ankles will be flexed while the knee and hip remains stationary. This device is ideally suited for patients with hip fractures, and hip replacement with prosthesis. The speed of paddle reciprocation can be selected, as can the arcuate path of travel of the foot paddles by adjusting the length of a driving rod.

Abstract: An interactive robotic therapist interacts with a patient to shape the motor skills of the patient by guiding the patient's limb through a series of desired exercises with a robotic arm. The patient's limb is brought through a full range of motion to rehabilitate multiple muscle groups. A drive system coupled to the robotic arm is controlled by a controller which provides the commands to direct the robotic arm through the series of desired exercises.

Abstract: A multipurpose method and apparatus for: a) applying continuously variable suspension traction and decompressive forces to the spine to alleviate certain types of back pain, b) stretching, elasticizing, exercising, and strengthening, the muscles which affect an individuals's spine, appearance, and posture, c) spinal manipulation and adjustment, and d) relieving pain and stress in the neck and shoulders. The apparatus, which does not restrict normal activities, utilizes spring loaded tube assemblies which are biased apart, and extend from, supports under each arm of the user to each side of an adjustable, multilayered belt adjacent the pelvis. Longitudinal adjustment of the tubes can vary the degree of traction while temporary variations can be accomplished by forcibly lowering the shoulders down into their normal position against the resistance of the compression springs.