Abstract: Disclosed is a compression sleeve for use in systems for applying compressive pressure to a patient's leg. The sleeve has an improved design for facilitating proper placement on the leg and for providing increased comfort for the patient wearing the sleeve.

Abstract: To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control module can connect two splints of a knee brace so that the resistance to flexion and extension are programmed in accordance with the position of the leg and thigh with respect to each other.

Abstract: An improved gymnastic implement, particularly usable for physical reeducation, including a platform having, in a downward region, first supporting elements and second flexible rocking elements and, in an upper region, first seats for the user's feet and at least one second seat for one or more games of skill. The platform, or a frame for supporting it, has one or more pairs of lateral couplings for detachable supports with which user grip rods fitted with a shock absorber are rotatably associated. This gymnastic implement allows better and more gradual reeducation for rehabilitation and treatment of impaired parts of the body in disorders such as flat feet, talipes valgus, cavovalgus and cavovarus, bowleg, genu valgum, hip dysplasias, juvenile kyphosis, as well as habit and idiopathic scoliosis.

Abstract: A novel abdominal exercise machine is provided which is adaptable for a variety of strength exercises utilizing at least some of the weight of a user for resistance. The exercise machine includes a first frame having laterally spaced and parallel side arms adapted for at least partially receiving a user in a supine position therebetween for abdominal exercise. A second frame is pivotally attached to one side of the first frame and includes a support member for at least partially supporting a user's weight thereon during utilization of the exercise machine. When utilized for abdominal exercise, the support member can support a user's head thereon. When utilized for a variety of strength exercises, the support member can support at least some or all of the weight of a user thereon wherein the user can stand, sit, or kneel on the support member. The amount of resistance encountered during strength exercises can be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise device includes a first U-shaped frame member pivotally attached to a second U-shaped frame member. Each frame member includes a pair of spaced parallel legs and a cross section extending therebetween. A head rest is mounted on the cross section intermediate the legs of the first frame member. An adjustable pivot tube is telescopically mounted within each leg of the first frame member to adjust the length of the legs. The legs of the first and second frame members are pivotally attached to each other generally adjacent the free ends thereof. A pair of spaced flexible straps extend between the cross sections of the frame members. A spring-biased detent pin is mounted within the hollow interior of each of the legs of the first frame member and is selectively engaged in holes formed in the legs of the first frame member to provide linear adjustment to the first frame member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise bar for use in rehabilitative therapy of joint structures, especially those of an impaired limb of a user. The exercise bar preferably comprises an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis and two ends, a loop member comprising a loop attached to a first end of the shaft, and a handle member attached to a second end of the shaft at an angle to both the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the plane defined by the loop of the loop member. The loop preferably is in the shape of an isosceles triangle with the angles forming arcuated notches for receiving a portion of the user's impaired limb. Once the user's limb is seated within one of the notches, the shaft may be rotated about it axis to enable rotational, resistive stretching of a first joint complex or may be reciprocated along its axis to enable the performance of various exercises.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a base, a substantially U-shaped member, and a substantially U-shaped handle element. The base can be configured as pair of individual foot members. The U-shaped member and handle element are pivotally connected to the base at different positions. A head rest is connected to the U-shaped member at a position intermediate the ends thereof. The pivotal connections can include a resistance producing element. A linking member is pivotally connected to each side of the U-shaped member and the U-shaped handle element. Adjacent sides of said U-shaped member and U-shaped handle are connected by the linking member. The position of the linking member can be adjusted as necessary in order to alter the angular disposition of the U-shaped member relative to the U-shaped handle element.

Abstract: A therapeutic method, for simultaneously stretching and lifting a user's lower back while the user is lying on his back on the ground, thereby relieving and preventing lower back pain. The device includes a frame which features a horizontally extending upper cross frame for accommodating the back of the user's knees. In use, the lower end of the frame contacts the ground and serves as a fulcrum. The device further includes a foot rest for accommodating the user's feet. The foot rest is mounted to the frame at a convenient point between the cross frame and the lower end.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for applying compressive pressures against a patient's foot. The device comprises first and second panels of flexible material secured to one another to form an inflatable bag to be fitted upon the foot. The bag has first and second separate fluid bladders. The first fluid bladder is adapted to engage a first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder is adapted to engage a second portion of the foot. A boot is provided for holding the inflatable bag to the foot. A fluid supply is provided for applying pressurized fluid to the first and second fluid bladders such that the first fluid bladder applies a first compressive pressure upon the first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder applies a second compressive pressure upon the second portion of the foot. A safety vent is associated with one of the inflatable bag and the fluid supply.

Abstract: An oscillatory chest compression device includes an oscillatory air flow generator and a positive air flow generator. A first feedback system controls the oscillation rate of the oscillatory air flow generator, and a second feedback system controls the peak pressure created by the positive air flow generator.

Abstract: An exercise machine comprises a base, a abdomen-building mechanism and a leg-building mechanism. The abdomen-building mechanism is fastened pivotally with a slide rail frame of the base and is provided with two pull arms and a backrest pad capable of moving in relation to the slide rail frame. The leg-building mechanism is fastened pivotally with a main support rod and is provided with a first leg rod, a second leg rod, and a plurality of connection rods for connecting the leg-building mechanism with the abdomen-building mechanism. As abdomen-building mechanism is rotated upwards by the traction force of the hips and the abdomen of an exerciser, the leg-building mechanism is actuated to provided the exerciser with the leg-building exercise. The neck and the back of the exerciser are well supported by the bulged portion of the backrest pad of the abdomen-building mechanism when the exerciser is engaged in the exercise.

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 abcut the longitudinal axis while the gripping element is held in the palm of a user and the device is moved through water.

Abstract: A temporomandibular rehabilitator having (a) a lower planar member having a longitudinal center, first and second ends, and a segment connecting the first and second ends to one another; and (b) an upper angular member having first and second ends, and first and second planar faces having an obtuse interior angle between the faces. The angular member is pivotally connected at the vertex of the obtuse interior angle to the segment of the planar member which connects the first and second ends of the planar member to one another, so that the first planar face of the angular member can be brought into parallel contact with the first end and with a first portion of the segment connecting the first and second ends of the planar member to one another, or the second planar face of the angular member can be brought into parallel contact with the second end and with a second portion of the segment connecting the first and second ends of the planar member to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus are provided for flexing a body member to rehabilitate the same. For early motion of flexure tendons or the like, very small ranges, for example, 2.degree. to 5.degree. of tension and flexion may be set at opposite ends of a full range of motion for the joint. The drive motor is preferably a stepper motor or the like that is controlled by a microprocessor-based controller to travel through small, variable, early motion ranges for tension and flexion of variable distances and for a variable number of cycles. The illustrated apparatus for pulling a carriage for travel in a forward or reverse direction compresses a slide guide for guiding the carriage for sliding travel thereon about a predetermined path having a curved portion about which the carriage slides when being pulled in a forward direction and in a reverse direction.

Abstract: This invention provides a body mounted exercise device primarily for use in exercising the muscles of the buttocks, but preferably adaptable to also exercise the thighs and arms. The device preferably comprises two hinge plates which are each secured outwardly and to one side of a respective hip joint of a human user, each of the hinge plates provided with a pivot arm pivotable about the hinge plate. For exercise of the muscles of the buttocks, the pivot arms extend downwardly along the legs of the user, preferably engaging the backs of the legs between the hip joints and knees. The exercise device is provided with biasing means which exert a forwardly directed biasing force on the backs of the legs, the biasing force opposing rearward pivoting of the legs about the hip joints. During rearward pivoting of the legs, the muscles of the buttocks contract and are forced to overcome the biasing force exerted by the pivot arms on the legs of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing cardio-plumonary resuscitation with active reshaping of a patient's chest are disclosed. A piston positioned near a patient's sternum is intermittently activated to produce cycles of direct compression on the patient's heart while an annular collar is simultaneously placed securely around a patient's thoracic cavity to limit the circumferential changes in the thoracic cavity. The combination of the annular collar and piston combine to direct blood flow both by direct cardiac compression/decompression and by varying the intrathoracic cavity pressure. The annular collar can be formed by a single non-extensible membrane or by a non-extensible outer membrane and an extensible inner membrane with a bladder therebetween filled with a substantially non-compressible fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a traction force to an appendage of a subject which includes a one-way gripping device having a channel and a cam. The cam is pivotal so that a gripping surface of the cam can be positioned in the channel. A force applicator which can be a rope or cable extends through the channel of the one-way gripping device. The force applicator is free to slide through the channel of the one-way gripping device in one direction, but is gripped by the cam and prevented from moving in an opposite direction. One end of the force applicator is secured to an appendage of a subject. A traction force is applied to the appendage by pulling the force applicator through the one-way gripping device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel perineometer for domestic use and a method of using the same. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel perineometer which can be used by a woman at home or in a non-medically controlled environment. Its use is specific to the rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles by pelvic muscle exercises (PME) particularly following childbirth, to strengthen pelvic floor muscles to pre-childbirth condition, thereby reducing risk of future urinary incontinence.

Abstract: Hand, knee and elbow orthosis each have a deformable semi-rigid stiffener having two end plates joined by a narrow midportion and contained between thin foam sheets to make an insert. A launderable cover of terry cloth fabric with permanently attached straps and a zippered opening fully envelops the insert. The hand orthosis has symmetrical left and right thumb supports for ambidextrous application. A finger separator may be attached and adjustably positioned on the hand orthosis. The elbow and knee orthosis have a bifurcated center strap which receives the bony elbow or knee protrusion to hold the orthosis in place, and are symmetrical in length and width for convenient application insensitive to orientation of the orthosis on either a right or left limb.

Abstract: For the treatment of spinal damage in medical physiotherapy, the patient's spine is stressed via the pelvis by longitudinal forces on the legs in such a way that the setting of displaced spinal components is promoted and the muscles are strengthened. With this device the tensile forces are applied to the feet by spring components which are tensioned by means of cables from the movements of the pins of linear movement components driven by an electric motor. The frequency and amplitude of these tensile forces can be changed via a control unit and thus phase shifts between the forces acting on the legs can be adjusted. During the exercises the patient can adjust the exercise programme by actuating controls connected to the supporting grips. The success of the therapy can be improved by fitting heating elements in the backrest to provide heat treatment for the patient's muscles.