Abstract: A positive oscillatory expiratory air pressure respiratory therapy device which is adapted to receive a nebulizer for administering aerosolized medicant for selective administration during oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy.

Abstract: A mandibular advancement device used in the management of snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, TMD and bruxism and jaw clenching, comprises a maxillary tray for receiving/retaining maxillary teeth, a mandibular tray for receiving/retaining mandibular teeth, and one to two advancement member(s)/prong(s) located on the mandibular tray at the anterior region thereof. The advancement member(s)/prong(s), when in use, contact the outer surface of the maxillary tray in an anterior region thereof, thereby advancing and retaining the mandible and tongue in a protrusive position. Raized occlusal surfaces/bite pads in a region contiguous and posterior to the advancement prong(s) allow a passive tongue retaining gap or space to be formed in the anterior and posterior regions of the device. A lingual retaining strap may be provided between opposite posterior portions of the mandibular tray to passively retain the tongue in a protruded, non-obstructive position.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting a user's head in an upright position. A strap is provided that has a first end, a second end, a first attachment section proximate the first end, a second attachment section proximate the second end, and a center section. The center section of the strap is anchored to the head of the user. Tension is applied to the strap in order to lift the user's head and hold the user's head in an upright orientation. The tension in the strap is maintained by anchoring the strap to the user's torso. The strap can have elastic characteristics that enable the strap to stretch. As such, the strap can provide resistance to neck movements without preventing those neck movements. This enables muscle groups in the neck to be exercised and provide the possibility of rehabilitation.

Abstract: A walker having height adjustment, and a method of use thereof, generally includes a base. Length adjustable strut assemblies are provided to allow the walker to be converted between a fully extended configuration, a high top walker configuration, and a fully retracted, low top walker configuration, as well as to numerous configurations having incremental heights between the fully extended and the fully retracted configurations. Thus, a modular support is provided that can be used to provide different levels of immobilization and can be used for various therapeutic purposes, can accommodate different patient leg lengths with one device, and allows practitioners to carry a reduced inventory.

Abstract: A condom comprises natural rubber and polyurethane. Preferably, the condom has a single wall thickness of less than 55 ?m. More preferably the condom has a single wall thickness of less than 55 ?m and a burst pressure of 1.0 kPa or above. A process for making the condom comprises mixing polyurethane and natural rubber latex and forming a condom therefrom.

Abstract: A fluoroscopy C-arm drape clip for attaching a sterile drape to a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit and method of providing a sterile outer surface on a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit is provided. The drape clip includes a generally U-shaped band having a pair of legs and an arm. Each of the legs has a first end attached to the arm and a second end spaced from the arm. The legs extend away from the arm in non-parallel, laterally spaced relation with one another and have inner surfaces facing one another and an outer surfaces facing away from one another. Further, an elastic pad is attached to the inner surface of each of the legs adjacent the second ends.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of the body of a wearer comprising an orthopedic brace combined with at least one electrically active zone to stimulate the body of the wearer of the brace.

Abstract: A traction device comprises a frame, a first bladder portion, a second bladder portion, a spacer, and a pump. The first bladder expands in an outward direction a distance greater than in a transverse direction. The second bladder expands in an angular direction. The second bladder is positioned generally below and to the side of the first bladder. Upon expanding in the outward direction, the first bladder bears against the back of the user's neck. Upon expanding in the transverse direction, the first bladder applies an angular traction to the cervical spine. Upon expanding in the angular direction, the second bladder bears angularly against the back of the user's upper thoracic region.

Abstract: A method for promoting contraception by placing a contraceptive device within a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes may involve advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix, advancing the contraceptive device comprising an elongate shape memory member out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus, and limiting inferior migration of the contraceptive device within the uterus. Inferior migration may be limited by allowing the contraceptive device to assume a shape, when subjected to pressure that tends to cause a downward migration of the device within the uterus, in which an expandable middle portion of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the uterus and thus limit the downward migration of the device.

Abstract: A back brace is designed to custom fit a wearer in a multitude of different configurations. First, the back brace could have a lumbar support that is split into upper and lower sections that are connected to a flexible joint, allowing the lumbar support to bend towards the spine of the user. The lumbar support is also generally split into left and right sections that are drawn towards one another while the joint bends towards the lumbar curve. This allows the back brace to conform to the lumbar curve of the wearer as a custom fit. Second, the brace could have optional extenders that alter the support length, width, and height of lumbar and lateral supports about the wearer. Third, the brace could have reinforcement support mechanisms that alter the rigidity of various lumbar and lateral supports about the wearer.

Abstract: A joint-supporting device comprises tensile members extending from above the joint to below it, supplementing the tensile characteristics of the joint's tendons, ligaments, and other structure.

Abstract: A universally adjustable pillow for use in healthcare and/or therapy includes a base board (1), and pillows for, respectively, right lateral recumbency (4), supine recumbency (2), left lateral recumbency (5) and for the neck (3) that are arranged on said base board (1). The pillows for left and right lateral recumbency (5,4) each include an external cushion, a mechanism enabling adjustment to fit vertebral curvature (52, 42), a mechanism enabling adjustment to inhibit too great an angle of lateral tilt (53, 43) and height adjustment members (51, 41). The longitudinal axes of the pillows for left and right lateral recumbency (5, 4) are set an angles ? and ? to the longitudinal axis of the pillow for supine recumbency (2).

Abstract: An oral care system that provides a beneficial effect to an oral cavity of a mammal by using a liquid effective for providing the beneficial effect, where the system includes means for directing the liquid onto a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity, means for providing the liquid to the means for directing the liquid onto the surfaces of the oral cavity, means for providing reciprocation of the liquid over the plurality of surfaces under conditions effective to provide the beneficial effect; and a reservoir for containing the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a home therapy system for aiding spinal cord decompression and for treating related health issues. More specifically, the present invention teaches a garment system combining an upper portion and lower portion. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper portion includes a head band and yoke for cervical vertebra disc decompression and for aiding in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea by repositioning and opening up breathing airways. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the lower portion includes vertical decompression straps attached to leg bands and extending over the shoulders for thoracic and lumbar disc decompression by arching the spinal column back and opening the vertebra.

Abstract: A method of intubating a subject is disclosed. The method comprises inserting an endotracheal tube into the tracheal airway of the subject; inflating a cuff associated with the endotracheal tube within the airway below the vocal cords; measuring a level of at least one measure being indicative of leakage of secretion past the cuff to the lungs; comparing the level of the measure with an optimal level of the measure; and adjusting inflation of the cuff based on the comparison so as to generally minimize leakage of secretion from above the cuff to the lungs, while minimizing pressure associated damages to the airway. The measure(s) can be carbon dioxide concentration, a proxy measure from which such concentration can be inferred, or the level of one or more additives delivered to a subject during intubation.

Abstract: A nebulizer includes a piezoelectric transducer for aerosolizing a drug solution in a disposable cup module disposed above the transducer. Acoustic waves generated by the transducer propagate sequentially through transmitting medium, a first barrier, coupling medium, and a second barrier that forms part of the cup module, and into the interior of the cup module. The transducer at least partially comprises silver. The silver fluidly contacts the transmitting medium to discourage bacteria growth in the transmitting medium. The device includes electronics components that drive the transducer and measure an electrical characteristic associated with the transducer during operation. The electronics components measures changes in the electrical characteristic to determine when the drug solution level falls below a predetermined threshold, and deactivates the device accordingly.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical procedure trays, kits and related methods are provided for use to perform medical procedures that require access to the interior of a bone. The devices, trays and methods allow multiple use of non-sterile medical devices with sterile medical devices for performing medical procedures requiring sterile conditions. A coupler assembly, capable of releasably attaching to a non-sterile medical device at one end and releasably attaching to one or more sterile medical devices at another end, and further comprising a containment bag which allows maintaining sterility of a non-sterile medical device which may be used in conjunction with sterile medical devices and procedures. The devices, trays, kits and methods enable the performance of multiple medical procedures with a single insertion into bone. For example, a vertebral procedure such as a vertebroplasty may be performed along with biopsy and/or bone marrow aspiration procedures, thereby reducing patient trauma and costs.

Abstract: A tightening system and method for operating the same in an article for a wearer includes first and second members arranged for being connected at first ends, and separated by a distance at second ends. A tension element connects the first and second members. A tensioning mechanism is mounted on the first member and coupled to the tension element. The tensioning mechanism includes a housing and a retractable and extendable line arranged to be extended from the housing and automatically retract to the housing upon release of the line to permit one-way incremental winding of the tension element to thereby draw the first and second members closer to one another by reducing the distance therebetween.

Abstract: Therapeutic abduction of the shoulder joint is achieved using a hinged device, the hinge activated by a cable passed between pulleys to increase mechanical advantage. The cable is wound on a spool mounted on a ratcheting mechanism, whereby tension is maintained as the spool is wound via a knob or computer controlled motor. A rotation control device enables rotation of the spool by a user, but prevents rotation due to a load. Mating shackles pivot in connection with the hinge, and are activated by the cable to increase the angle of the hinge. The hinge is connected to the body, one portion affixed relative to the body, the other affixed relative to the upper arm. As the hinge angle is expanded, the shoulder joint is abducted, stretching the tissue of the joint. If resilient, the cable imparts a dynamic tensioning force to the shoulder joint.

Abstract: A system for positioning a patient on a treatment couchtop for SBRT is provided. The system includes a patient support panel and at least one positioning/fixation component for releasable mounting on the patient support panel at a desired position to immobilize a portion of the patient's body. The patient support panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a series of longitudinally spaced indexing apertures for receipt of a locking bar for mounting a positioning/fixation component thereon at a discrete index position. The at least one positioning component includes a pair of clamping mechanisms for releasably securing that component to the side rails at any longitudinal position along the side rails.