Abstract: A removable cartridge configured to be inserted into a receiving channel. The cartridge includes an elongated body having a leading end, a trailing end, a top surface and a bottom surface. A button protrudes from the top surface of the elongated body and is positioned proximate the trailing end of the elongated body. When the cartridge is being inserted into the receiving channel, the button is compressed. After the cartridge is inserted into the receiving channel, the button releases into an opening that intersects with the receiving channel so as to lock the cartridge in the channel.

Abstract: Provided with a sleeve supporter which can cover a surface of an region including an instep, a sole, a heel and an ankle of a foot and a belt-type supporter which is attached to the sleeve supporter and attachable to the foot on the sleeve supporter: the belt-type supporter is provided with an ankle belt, a plantar heel hold belt, an affected-part pressing belt and a posterior heel hold belt: the sleeve supporter is made of cloth having an extension larger than that of the belt-type supporter, yarns used therefor have a thickness 30 denier to 70 denier (both inclusive) and a clothing pressure thereof is 10 mmHg to 20 mmHg (both inclusive).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and foot support device for dynamically treating plantar fasciitis in the foot of a patient while enabling patient mobility. The method comprises applying tension to the ball of the foot via a strap held in tension by extending the strap to form a continuous loop, from opposite sides of the knee in the leg of the foot in treatment through an opening in a channel guide member oriented relative to the ball of the foot, with the strap connected at opposite ends thereof to the opposite sides of the knee in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee and controlling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while the patient is mobile by slidably adjusting the position of the strap within the channel guide member in response to the mobility of the patient.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) foam having a soft open-cell inner layer and a washable closed-cell outer layer which surrounds and substantially seals the inner layer, and which may be used alone or in combination with other components to produce useful articles. The TPE foam includes a base resin which is a styrenic block copolymer, and a foaming agent. A process of forming and molding the TPE foam includes using a shutoff nozzle to prevent the foaming agent from activating before reaching the mold cavity, using an oversized gate to minimize shear heat, and using oversized vents. An earplug may be constructed by molding the TPE foam over a core or body formed from a material which is denser than the TPE foam. A first earplug design may employ a constrained layer damping effect, while a second earplug design may employ an adjustable sound attenuation effect.

Abstract: A textile bandage with a bandage body which has an inner face, directed towards a bandage wearer, and an outer face, wherein the surface of the inner face has zones with different marking orientations.

Abstract: A surgical drape may be configured for use with a patient positioning table for an anterior approach hip surgical procedure. In at least one illustrative embodiment the surgical drape may be specifically configured for use with an anterior approach hip total replacement surgery. The surgical drape is configured with an aperture that provides access to a patient's surgical site, which aperture may be generally rectangular-shaped in one illustrative embodiment. The aperture may be centered between a right and left edge of the surgical drape such that one configuration of the surgical drape may be used for an anterior approach hip surgical procedure of either a patient's left or right hip.

Abstract: A fornix manipulator includes a collar and stabilizer. The collar has a first end and a second end, the second end having an opening and diameter greater than the first end and the first end having an opening to receive a cervix into the collar. The stabilizer has a base portion defining a guide hole and a plurality of prongs extending from the base portion to contact the first end of the collar.

Abstract: Assistive movement devices and methods therefor are provided that are capable of redirecting loads from an individual's foot to hip when an individual is recovering from an injury at or below the knee. The devices include a frame assembly comprising an upper member, a lower member, and a joint therebetween. An upper attachment is secured to the upper member and is configured to be secured to the thigh of the individual's leg, and a lower attachment is secured to the lower member or the base and is configured to be secured to a portion of the leg below a knee thereof. A base is secured to the lower member and is configured to support a foot of the leg, and the device adjustably redirects at least a portion of a load resulting from the individual standing and walking from the base to the upper attachment.

Abstract: The lumbar support assistive device includes a plastic rigid main member having a half-fusiform whose front side curves in accordance with human spine. A trough is provided along the front side extended in an axial direction to a bottom side of the main member. A number of forward bulging semi-ellipsoidal elements are arranged at intervals in two columns along lateral sides of the trough. The semi-ellipsoidal elements closer to a bottom of the main member are wider and higher; and the semi-ellipsoidal elements closer to a top of the main member are narrower and lower, and they are closer to the semi-ellipsoidal elements in the other column. These semi-ellipsoidal elements provide massaging effect and support to corresponding intervertebral discs of the spine. The semi-ellipsoidal elements also raise the lumbar support assistive device to provide enhanced ventilation so that wearing the lumbar support assistive device would not feel sultry.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to absorbing elements in respiratory face masks. Applicants have developed a structure for respiratory masks that can both absorb moisture from the face (such as perspiration, as well as from condensed moisture in the breath), and maintain a low breath resistance (won't increase the breath resistance significantly). The structure may comprise an annular structure added to the respiratory masks for moisture management, wherein the annular structure comprises moisture absorbent materials. This structure may also be known as an absorbing element operable to absorb moisture effectively, provide a respiratory mask with improved moisture control characteristics, reduce fogging of a face shield or eyeglasses of the wearer, and reduce the amount of uncomfortable moisture buildup on the face of the wearer.

Abstract: A surgical boot mount for mounting a surgical boot to a support rod of a limb holder, the surgical boot mount comprising: a projection having a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is attached to the sole of the surgical boot, wherein the first section comprises a first diameter and the second section comprises a second diameter, and further wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter; and a releasable locking mechanism mounted to the support rod of the limb holder, wherein the releasable locking mechanism comprises a first key comprising a first keyway and a second key comprising a second keyway, wherein the second key is slidably connected to the first key, wherein the first key is biased away from the second key, wherein the first keyway and the second keyway overlap to form an opening at least as large as the second diameter when an inwardly-directed force is applied to the first key so as to overcome the bias, and further wherein the opening is reduced to a size

Abstract: A patient protection system and method for using the same includes a face mask structure configured to protect the head of a patient during surgical procedures. The face mask structure includes a foam body having an exterior surface and an interior surface configured to be oriented towards the patient's face to cover the patient's face during the surgical procedure; and at least one foam pad positioned on the interior surface of the face mask structure and configured to contact the patient's face during the surgical procedure. The face mask structure and the at least one foam pad are manufactured from different types of foam.

Abstract: A knee brace assembly comprising a sleeve and a buttress attached to the sleeve and configured to be positioned against a knee of the wearer. The buttress is configured to be positioned proximate a patella of the wearer and configured to provide support to the patella of the wearer. The knee brace includes a wrap having a first end defining an upper tab and lower tab, and a second end defining an upper and lower tab. The wrap is sized to extend around the leg of the wearer. The upper tab of the first end is configured to attach to the upper tab of the second end, and the lower tab of the first end is configured to attach to the lower tab of the second end, such that the wrap is operable to form a compressive fit around the sleeve and buttress.

Abstract: A robotic patient protection system and method including a head mask structure, configured to protect the head of a patient, for use in robotic surgical procedures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a sterile imaging protective system are described. The system preferably includes a first flexible drape with a cavity configured to surround an imaging intensifier and a second drape that is attached to an operating table or patient drape. The second drape has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a pocket therebetween with a top sterile portion and a lower portion, and a plurality of reusable fasteners that allows the second drape to be repeatedly moved from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. When in the expanded configuration, the second drape is releasably attached to the first drape. The system may also include a third drape located on the opposite side of the operating table as the second drape. The drapes preferably allow sterility to be maintained during movement of the c-arm imaging system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an orthopedic device in the form of a lumbar support includes first and second elongate belt members, an anatomically shaped plate, and a closure system connecting the belt members to the plate. The closure system is arranged to move the belt members relative to the plate, and connects to the belt members via a flexible belt attachment which removably secures to the belt members. The closure system includes tensioning elements corresponding to the belt members, and a pulley system connecting to the tensioning elements. The closure system is slidably mounted to the plate and arranged to the belt members relative to the plate between opposed linear directions. The plate has various contours which provide pressure distribution over a lumbar region of a back. Anatomically shaped and resiliently formed handles secure to the tensioning elements and the belt members.

Abstract: Drape systems, apparatuses and methods are provided. In some aspects a drape may create an impervious barrier for preventing medical contaminants from contaminating a medical table and/or a medical table base. One drape embodiment includes a central portion, a first end cover and a second end cover, and first and second side portions having fold portions for forming troughs. A drape embodiment may include an absorbent surface having a discontinuous section and in inner perimeter for forming a barrier about a medical table base.

Abstract: Eye shield including a curved body having a size to cover a person's eye. The body has a concave side configured to face the eye and an opposite convex side. The body has a circumferential edge and openings in a central region. The body includes a spaced apart pair of notches each extending inward from the circumferential edge but not communicating with the openings. Each notch defines an opening between opposed surfaces. A piece of adhesive tape wider than a distance between the notches passes through both notches alongside the concave side of the body between the notches and over the convex side of the body laterally outside of the notches. Another body has a central region made of an optically clear material and a peripheral region surrounding the central region made from a resilient flexible material and which defines the circumferential edge of the body.

Abstract: A device positions and/or orients in the body of a patient, a surgical tool carried by a tool-holder, including a platform capable of being placed on the body of the patient, an orientable carrier, at least one part of which is rigidly connected to the tool-holder, means for guiding the orientable carrier rotationally relative to the platform in two directions of a plane parallel to the platform, at least 2 pneumatic actuators which engage with the orientable carrier such that a variation in pressure of at least one of the pneumatic actuators causes the orientable carrier to rotate in the first direction and/or the second direction, in which the pneumatic actuators are volumes that can deform in a predetermined direction as a function of the internal pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coupling a robotic surgical tool with a tool driver of a robotic surgical system via a sterile barrier disposed between the tool and the tool driver. The sterile barrier can have a housing configured to accommodate proximal portions of a plurality of actuation members of the tool driver when the sterile barrier is coupled to the tool driver. The housing can have at least partially disposed within it substantially cylindrical, longitudinally expandable bellows, each being configured to encompass and mate with a proximal portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of actuation members. In some cases, the sterile barrier can have a plurality of sterile barrier couplers each having a first portion configured to engage with an actuation member of a tool driver, and a second portion configured to engage with a tool actuation member of a surgical tool.