Abstract: A pneumatic cuff assembly fitting over and around the entire maternal abdomen is intermittently inflated to a low and safe pressure in synchrony with the mother's voluntary straining efforts in order to augment the intra-abdominal pressure to assist the delivery of the fetus at the final stage of child birth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports mat, especially a judo mat, of an elastic foam-like material (4) and possibly a sheath (7). According to the invention, the elastic foam-like material (4) is arranged on a stiff approximately circular plate (3) which has a central projection (5) on the underside and is fitted so as to "float" on a yielding foam (6).

Abstract: A bracket for a body part comprising a first member attachable to a first portion of the body part, a second member attachable to a second portion of the body part, the first and second members being spaced apart a predetermined distance, a force applying device disposed between the first and second members and coupled to the members for exerting a force between the members, a control device in communication with the force applying device for activating the force applying device to generate a force between the first and second members, and a flexible coupling for coupling the force applying device to at least one of the first and second members to allow flexing of the body part, the force applying device providing a force between the first and second members and thus across the body part when the body part is in an unflexed, straight position.

Abstract: A knee exercise device for use by a patient adapted to receive the patient's lower thigh for placement upon a horizozntal cross piece to permit flexing of the lower leg up and down while the patient is lying horizontal with his or her upper portion of his or her leg up. The invention is comprised of two rectangular planar frames that are positioned on opposite sides of the patient's body with a horizontal cross piece attaching the long side of each rectangular frame at a point above the patient's body. It is over this cross piece that the patient places his or her leg. The patient grasps the vertical members of the rectangular frame to pull the frame, and thus the cross piece, towards his or her head in order to press the cross piece against the leg at the proper point when performing the knee exercises.

Abstract: The invention relates to a training device for an automatic injector. The device comprises a cylindrical outer sleeve in the rear portion of which a discharge mechanism is connected and in the front portion of which a holder intended for accommodating a punch member is incorporated so as to be locked against forward movement. The discharge mechanism comprises a plunger, a coil spring which acts on the plunger, a locking device and a safety member. The holder for the punch member comprises a sleeve-like rear portion which is open at each end. The punch member is accommodated in the holder such that its rear end at least substantially engages the front end of the plunger, and such that the front prod-shaped end portion which has dimensions such that it can pass through the central aperture in the nose portion of the holder outwards, is present within the holder prior to use of the device. The device further comprises auxiliary means for making the device ready for reuse.

Abstract: A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains a slot which conforms to the geometry of the cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. A valve is located at the proximal end of the trocar tube to seal the end of the tube. The valve is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trocar tube. The valve is controllable by an external lever which will hold the valve open or permit it to spring shut. An incremental advancement mechanism cooperates with the obturator to permit only incremental advance of the obturator. Instead of using a discrete shield component the shielding function may be provided by spring-loading the trocar tube itself to spring forward and shield the obturator tip after the tip penetrates tissue.

Abstract: A therapeutic limb brace for gradually extending flexion contractures of a patient's knee or elbow, and for increasing dorsiflexion of the foot. Upper and lower frames of the brace are incrementally adjustable in both length and lateral spacing for fitting limbs of various proportions, the frames having side members that are comfortably spaced apart from the limb. Control of knee joint movement, for example, is provided by one or more tension springs that can be selectively hooked in parallel between the upper and middle frames for dynamic therapy, a stop member for preventing hyperextension, and a plurality of index holes that can be used in static therapy for locking the frames in fixed angular relation or for limiting movement to a selected angular range. A turnbuckle substituted for one of the springs provides gradual movement at high mechanical advantage.

Abstract: A method for implanting a catheter is disclosed. The method provides for catheter implantation in two stages. Initially, the entire catheter will be implanted in the living body. After sufficient time has passed for tissue in-growth into a portion of the catheter, generally the cuff, an adjacent or nearby portion of the catheter is brought outside the body to facilitate use of the catheter. The catheter preferred for implantation according to the method of the invention has two cuffs, one about 2 to 5 cm in length and the second about 1 to 2 cm in length, an arcuate bend of about 180 degrees, and a coiled tip with side holes.

Abstract: A delivery system for attaching and detaching an ultrasonic surgical blade/coupler and an acoustical mount. An adaptor sleeve receives and encapsulates the blade to avoid accidents resulting from the sharp edge of the blade. In a two-piece embodiment hereof, a cylindrical member receives the sleeve and a ratcheting mechanism is provided between the adaptor and member to facilitate rotation of the adaptor and coupler upon rotation of the member up to a predetermined torque, ensuring threaded connection between the coupler and acoustical mount sufficient for transmission of ultrasonic energy. To remove the blade/coupler, the member is rotated in the opposite direction, whereby unlimited torque may be applied through the ratchet mechanism to unthread the coupler from the mount.

Abstract: A foot and ankle brace is provided which is adapted to be worn within an athletic shoe to provide support for the foot and ankle while permitting limited inversion and eversion of the foot together with unlimited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. There is provided an inner member including a foot plate which extends around the heel and protects the instep. An inner brace member comprising a U-shaped upper end portion engages the leg above the ankle and integrally formed with the U-shaped member are downwardly extending arms which are pivotally mounted on the upper edge portion of the foot plate. The inner brace is flexible so that it permits inversion and eversion of the foot as well as unlimited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion movement due to the pivotal joint in the inner member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for training physicians and technicians to locate stones found in simulated human body organs, principally simulated biliary and renal calculi, and then actually fragment these calculi using ESWL. A reusable semi-anthropomorphic phantom comprises an opaque liver tissue-equivalent mass having anatomically correct simulated organ cavities associated with the midsection of a human body, principally the gall bladder and the kidney. Channels lead from the exterior of the phantom to the simulated organs. A concrement is introduced into at least one simulated organ, the channels and simulated organs are filled with a fluid-like substance, and the channels are closed with plugs. A trainee then utilizes an ultrasound or X-ray locating device to examine the phantom until the concrements are located. The coordinates of the located concrements are then utilized with a concrement destroying apparatus such as an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter (ESWL).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a head immobilizer used with a cervical collar. The cervical collar comprises a front and rear half, each half being U-shaped, and a reinforcing member affixed to each half. A head immobilizer generally includes a head rest which is T-shaped and which has a stem and two arms. Each arm has a distal end. The stem releasably engages the reinforcing member affixed to the rear half of the collar. A fastening device is affixed to the distal end of each arm. A mask has an opening therethrough and overlaps, in part, the front half of the collar. A mating device is affixed to the mask and engages the fastening device. A securing device is affixed to the mask and engages the fastening device. Whereby, a victim's head is immobilized between the head rest, mask, and collar, when the fastening device is connected with the mating device and the securing device.

Abstract: A fire fighting trainer for use in training fire fighters to extinguish jet crash fuel fires and the like, the trainer includes a supply pipe and control valve, a distribution pipe with holes, an open water tank with water within which the distribution pipe is disposed, so that liquid propane jets out from the holes, then passes as vapor bubbles to the water surface, then collects as propane vapor on the water surface, and a gas pilot flame device for lighting the propane vapor to form flames on the water surface. The simulated flames look very similar to jet crash liquid fuel flames.

Abstract: An orthosis for assistance in walking includes a pair of flexible risers and a flexible pelvic band. Each time a leg moves forward the pelvic band is twisted and the risers are bent, thereby storing energy. At the end of the step the pelvic band and the risers tend to resume undistorted configuration, and this thrusts the opposite foot forward. An improved hip joint is also disclosed for use in combination with such risers and pelvic band. The joint has a lock plate which may be locked to a riser and also to a leg brace connected thereto.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a portable traction apparatus including a table having a head end and a foot and including a generally rectangular panel adapted to be placed in a horizontal position. A traction exerting mechanism is mounted to the table and includes an extension linkage assembly fixed to the table and including articulated pivotally interconnected links, an elongate upper end member connected at an inner end to the linkage assembly and having an outer end extending outwardly of the head end of the table and or, an elongate lower end member having an inner end connected to the linkage assembly and an outer end extending outwardly of the foot end of the table and, first and second lever arms pivotally connected to and forming part of the linkage assembly, each lever arm having an outer end extending outwardly from one side of the table and having arm engaging means at the outer end of each lever arm.

Abstract: A spinal joint for use in spinal surgery includes two blocks pivotally connected to each other. One block is secured to a vertebrae with a bone screw, which the other block connects to another spinal joint. The blocks rotate relative to one another, and can be locked relative to one another in various angular positions. Serrations on one block engage with corresponding serrations in the pivotal connection portion of the second block at a selected angle, and are locked in place by a locking screw.

Abstract: An adjustable bench-step for use in exercising, having an upper platform that is easily and securely insertable into a base, with the upper platform further being both adjustable vertically and approachable from any horizontal axis.

Abstract: An elongate flexible exercise weight releasably attachable about human limbs for exercise purposes provides a peripherally defined containment structure that is adjustably filled with water for selected, finely determinable weight. End tabs may be releasably fastened together to form the weight into a continuous band for maintenance on human limbs. The weight is peripherally defined by a fluid impervious membrane that has baffle means in its interior chamber to allow filling from a single orifice but inhibit rapid motion of substantial amounts of fluid responsive to motion of the exercise device.

Abstract: An exercise unit or weight machine which may be mounted to a door frame for use. The device is designed for portability in that the unit may be quickly mounted to the door frame and dismounted therefrom, and is symmetric so as to allow the device to be used on either side of the door frame.

Abstract: A therapeutic leg elevator for promoting venous flow during patient recuperation including a substantially homogeneous solid polygonal shaped member having at least one inclined surface for supporting a back portion of a patient's thigh and second inclined surface with respect to the first for supporting the patient's lower leg, a member is releasably connected to a distal end of the homogeneous support member to provide resistance exercise for the patient.