Abstract: A flexible lead screw and motor combination is provided that attaches to the body and has the ability to move body parts. The invention contains at least one motor actuated cincture screw that transfers torque over an articulating joint of the body. A high torque motor is mounted on a suitable location of the body, on one side of the articulating joint to be moved. The motor is attached, through a cable having an externally threaded cincture, to an internally threaded guide bushing mounted to a body location on the opposite side of the articulating joint. In certain mounting locations, the cable routing will be redirected by guide rings before entering the guide bushing. Activation of the motor rotates the cable and, depending on the threads and the direction of rotation chosen, either pulls the threaded guide bushing toward, or away from the motor. Thus, the joint lying between the attached motor and attached guide bushing can be either closed or opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a user's back while supporting the user's back and hips includes a support defining a longitudinal axis, and a seat pad disposed along the support at a position corresponding to the user's hips for supporting the user's hips. The seat pad is rotatable around the longitudinal axis and has an attached seat belt for holding a user on the seat pad. A pair of handles are provided, one on each side of the seat pad, which are coupled to the seat pad and which are movable in reciprocal back-and-forth motion to control rotation of the seat pad around the longitudinal axis. A resistance device is coupled to the seat pad or elsewhere for providing resistance to reciprocal back-and-forth motion of the handles, and two mechanical stops are provided, one on each side of the apparatus, for limiting rotation of the seat pad. The mechanical stops each have plural settings for adjusting a maximum angle of rotation of the seat pad.

Abstract: An active and continuous passive motion (CPM) devices for exercising and/or providing therapy to the upper and lower extremities comprising a frame, a disc pivotally mounted to the frame and hand or feet support members attached to the disc. A motor is provided and is coupled to the disc for rotating the disc in the active mode. A control circuit is provided for adjusting the speed of the disc in the passive mode and for adjusting the resistance to movement of the disc in the active mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising abdominal muscles comprises a load cable which is received by a pulley. The pulley is connected to a structure through a connector, and a single handle is connected to the first end of the load cable. A neck collar is connected to the second end of the load cable. In the method of exercising, the user lays on a surface and contracts the abdominal muscles to raise the torso no more than halfway to the normal position. Concurrently, the user pulls the handle such that a load is communicated between the handle and the neck collar to assist the abdominal muscles in raising the torso.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise adapter comprising two wedges and a telescopic pole extending between the two wedges. Each wedge has a vertical edge, a horizontal edge, and a third edge extending between the former two. The third edge is concave shaped. A channel runs through the bottom of the horizontal edge. Vertical members of a lower frame of an abdominal exercise device fit in the channels of each wedge, thereby allowing the adapter to rest firmly on the exercise device. Vertical members of an upper frame of the exercise device cradle in the third edge of the adapter, thus preventing the frame from returning to a resting position. When the adapter is in use with an exercise device, a user endures a more challenging exercise session since the wedges of the adapter block the upper frame from descending past a certain point. Thus, the user is forced to keep her head off the head rest, and her stomach and abdominal muscles remain tense.

Abstract: An exercise device used to develop a user's torso and upper body muscles. The device has a tubular support frame with two upper side members connected by a lateral support and two space curved side supports. An adjustable pull down handle is centered on the frame's lateral support. Four resistance pneumatic cylinder with pistons, two on each side, connect the upper side members to a lower support structure. The curved supports extend downwardly from each of the upper side supports and have a head rest strap connector between them. A head rest with a back support extends from it is connected to a lateral strap member to a lateral strap in the lower support. A user lies down and grasps and pulls the overhead handle. By pulling down towards their chest on the handle against the resistance cylinder and their pistons, the user exercises torso and upper body muscles.

Abstract: A hooked plate is pivotally attached to a generally straight plate which is strapped between the user's wrist and forearm with the pivot near the wrist. An elastic strip holds the fingers on a tongue on the outer circumference of the hooked plate. The appliance walls, openings, and the fastening arrangement for the strip to the hooked plate and for attaching the straight plate to the users arm are for enabling self mounting on the hand by the quadriplegic user.

Abstract: A translator apparatus for achieving omnidirectional translation of the mandible of a human patient and having a maxillary translation plate having a maxillary mouthpiece thereon for temporarily fixing the maxillary dentition of a patient thereto. A mandibular translation plate is provided, also having a mandibular mouthpiece for temporary fixation with the mandibular dentition of the patient and the mandibular element. A translation control plate is interposed between the maxillary and mandibular translation plates and establishes linearly moveable guiding relation with elongate guide slots of both the maxillary and mandibular plates. The guide slots of the respective translation plates which may be straight or of curved configuration are arranged in 90 degree relation to permit relative omnidirectional translatory positioning and movement of the translation plates for consequent selective omnidirectional therapeutic or diagnostic positioning or movement of the mandible of a patient.

Abstract: A device for therapeutic treatment of a body including a segment comprising spatially separated bulges. A plurality of segments may optionally be linked together so as to increase the area of the body upon which the device is placed.

Abstract: A combination slant board and abdominal rocker includes a slant board which comprises a rigid body support elevated at one end to incline the body support. The abdominal rocker has a frame with a base section pivotally mounted adjacent to the body support and a grip section spaced from the base section. A neck rest is mounted to the frame between the base section and the grip section. The grip section and the neck rest are located above the body support.

Abstract: A diagnostic and therapeutic apparatus for re-educating the posture of the backbone includes in combination mechanism for controlling the orthostatic posture of the patient, mechanism for carrying out a differential traction on the same patient at different levels in order to cancel out all or a part of his weight, mechanism for correcting the postural defects in the three planes of the space and for blocking the patient within postural limits in order to prevent him from assuming postures other than that therapeutic even during the deambulation.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for treating upper extremity disorders is detachably secureable to a wheelchair frame or other suitable support. A mounting bar is positionable at differing heights and at differing angles of adjustment relative to the frame and both the height and the angle are easily changed without tools as the patient progresses in response to treatment. The mounting bar also detachably receives any number of therapeutic devices to further aid the patient's recovery, and those devices are attachable to the mounting bar without tools.

Abstract: A chest brace apparatus prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during spontaneous breathing efforts and provides negative distending intra-thoracic pressure to a patient. The apparatus includes a protective adhesive layer placed on the patients skin and a brace structure that is designed to attach to the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface adapted to adhere to a chest region of the patient and the outer surface manifesting an outer adherent layer for attachment to the brace structure. The brace structure is placed about the patient's chest region and includes a frontal resilient segment with a patient-side adherent layer for joinder to the outer surface of the adhesive layer, and flexure strips connected to the frontal resilient segment for imparting an outward flexure thereon so as to distend the patient's chest region by outward pressure exerted on the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A aquatic abdominal exerciser apparatus including an exerciser frame having a pair of side bars each having a central linear extent having a top end and a bottom end. Further provided is at least one arcuate extent integrally coupled to each central linear extent. The exerciser frame also has an adjustable crossbar coupled between the linear extents adjacent the bottom ends thereof. Lastly, a support frame is pivotally coupled to the exerciser frame thereby allowing the exerciser frame to pivot about an axis defined by the cross bar. The support frame is, in turn, fixedly coupled to a bath tub thus allowing use of the exerciser frame therein.

Abstract: Therapy apparatus for the exercise of the patient's trunk, back, spine, abdomen and shoulders consisting of a platform having a periphery and upper and lower sides. A pedestal or column extending vertically above the platform upper side supports a seat receiving the patient, and the platform lower side includes a central supporting projection extending below the platform periphery wherein the platform will engage a flat supporting surface, such as the floor, at the support projection and the platform periphery in a tilted manner and a patient located upon the seat may shift their weight to change the angle of platform tilting for exercising the patient's trunk, back, spine, shoulders and torso muscles and ligaments. Support projections of various vertical dimension may be employed to vary the extent of tilting from the vertical, and the apparatus may be utilized with computerized equipment to obtain accurate determination of the extent of exercise and body flexibility.

Abstract: A stepper exerciser of the teeter-totter type with foot platforms maintained horizontal and in which the foot platforms are rotatable about a vertical axis and its method of use.

Abstract: An exercise device for use in exercising the abdominal muscles by performing sit-ups, which device protects the neck and upper back while the user performs such exercises.

Abstract: A torso trainer has a user platform mounted on a pivoting, rotating shaft. The lower torso of the user is strapped to the platform with the upper torso supported by the user who employs the waistline muscles. As the platform rotates, different muscle groups are worked so that during the course of a complete 360.degree. revolution all the waistline muscles are exercised. The user effort required varies with the degree of tilting of the shaft and platform. At a nearly vertical tilting position user effort is minimal, while, at a horizontal tilting position, user effort is maximum. A user hand control starts platform rotation and overrides the stopping of platform rotation so that there can be multiple rotations.

Abstract: An improved recreational device of skill and balance, having an elongated base, a pair of downwardly projecting feet which are spaced apart, and on the inboard side of spaced footrests on the upper face of the board, the feet being rotatable about a vertical axis, and preferably being a resilient material. An optional rope or J-hook is also provided to engage with the center of the board. Methods for using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Gait therapy aid or trainer controls the movement of the feet of the user to travel in substantially a straight line, coordinates the walking movement of the user with that of the aid so that movement of the body of the user and of the training device in the direction of walking are essentially the same by interconnecting a pair of foot pieces and the body of the device via a motion controlling mechanism.