Abstract: An inserter for an intrauterine system includes a handle. The handle has a longitudinal opening at its first end, the opening having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inserter, a first end and a second end, a movable slider arranged in the longitudinal opening and having a first end and a second end. The inserter also includes a movable plunger and an insertion tube arranged around the plunger having a first end and a second end, with its second end attached to the slider. The handle further includes a lock for reversibly locking the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via a removal string of the intrauterine system, the lock being attached to the plunger and being controllable at least by a part or an extension of the slider and/or of the insertion tube or of the handle.

Abstract: A surgical assembly (20) comprises a post (100) having a longitudinally extending axis (104), a support (56) for resisting movement of the post in a negative longitudinal direction, and a platform (70) offset from the support in a positive longitudinal direction. The platform includes an opening (82) through which the post projects. The opening includes a throat (86). The post has a first dimension which renders the post incapable of passing through the throat and a second dimension which renders the post capable of passing through the throat. Alternate embodiments in which the post can be removably engaged with the support and platform and disengaged therefrom without translating the post in the longitudinal direction are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dynamic tension system connects to an orthopedic device having a frame and a hinge connected to the frame. The dynamic tension system includes a cable, an adjustment mechanism connected to the cable and arranged to incrementally wind or release the cable, and a tension control device connected to the adjustment mechanism and arranged to limit the adjustment mechanism from winding of the cable past a predetermined tension level.

Abstract: The present technology provides a mandibular repositioning device (MRD) which may be self titratable. The MRD may be repositioned relative to the maxilla, e.g., the mandible may be brought, via the device, to a position forward of a neutral resting and/or bite position. The MRD allows for adjusting the maintained forward position by simply biting-down to preserve the desired degree of mandibular advancement. The present technology also allows for movement of the mandible in a lateral direction. The lateral movement is allowed for any forward longitudinal positioning of the mandible. The MRD may use a plurality of components that are coupled together and allow for lateral and longitudinal motion between each other. The present technology may be used in MRDs which may be self-fitted, typically by immersing the device in hot water and then biting into the device, making an impression of the teeth in the softened thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A maxillary, mandibular, or dual concussion orthotic that substantially reduces concussion resulting from forces applied to the lower jaw, and a method of producing the orthotic. The orthotic device produced according to the method described herein is objectively measured and produced to physiological parameters for an individual user. The orthotic is constructed so that the mandibular teeth are firmly indexed into the orthotic to hold the mandible in a specific position relative to the maxilla. The upper and lower jaws are positioned by the orthotic to act as a unit, and cooperate with the orthotic to effectively dissipate concussive forces and provide spacing of the temporomandibular joint, resulting in the decompression of the joint to mitigate transmission of concussive forces from the condyles of the mandible to the temporal bones of the skull.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical drape that has several circumferential and longitudinal breakaway sections that can be easily removed to facilitate quick customization during surgery. The removable sections are fastened to the drape in a manner that reduces debris, which could cause contamination of the surgery field, as well as limit the potential injury to patients caused by the current use of scissors to customize drapes while in surgery.

Abstract: A wrappable sterile radiation shield drape, a wrappable sterile radiation shield drape in combination with a radiation shield, and a method of providing a sterile surface about a suspended radiation shield is provided. The drape includes a flexible wall having a sterilized outer surface. The wall has opposite side edges extending between upper and lower ends and an upper fastener adjacent its upper end. The upper fastener is configured to releasably fix the upper end of the wall relative to the radiation shield. The wall further includes an edge fastener adjacent at least one of its side edges. The edge fastener is configured to releasably maintain the wall in a wrapped configuration about the radiation shield. The wall further includes at least one flap attached adjacent the upper end, wherein the flap includes a pocket configured to receive a shoulder extension portion of the radiation shield.

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 therapeutic compression garment, including: a body portion; and a spine portion, wherein the bands extending from either the body portion and/or spine portion attach the body and spine portions together when the body and spine portions are wrapped around a body limb, and wherein the spine portion is releasably attached onto the body portion such that the spine portion is positionable at different locations on the body portion.

Abstract: A breathing tube for conducting a gas mixture in a ventilation system is provided, the tube including a tube portion; a coupler connectable to the tube portion; a connecting piece connectable to the coupler and which is attachable to a tube or a machine; wherein a filter element for filtering the gas mixture is arranged between the coupler and the connecting piece. The coupler includes a first integral electrical heating device which surrounds the filter element and which is adapted to heat the filter element effectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering a substance to the nasal cavity of a subject in which drawing air from a mouthpiece triggers release of a substance to a subject's nasal cavities. The device comprises a container for containing the substance in fluid communication with a nosepiece, a valve with an active configuration and an inactive configuration, and a trigger mechanism to reconfigure the valve from its inactive configuration to its active configuration and vice versa. Drawing air from the mouthpiece, e.g., when the subject takes in air by mouth, activates the trigger mechanism, thereby reconfiguring the valve from its inactive configuration to its active configuration for a predetermined period of time and delivering the substance from the device to a nasal cavity of the subject.

Abstract: An inhaler device of a powdered substance contained in a capsule comprises a capsule seat suitable for receiving the capsule, said capsule seat being made in two parts which can be reciprocally distanced, each capsule seat part being suitable for retaining a respective capsule part. Means of separation are operable to cause the distancing of said two capsule seat parts.

Abstract: Methods and products for protecting tissue of a patient during a surgical procedure that involve making an incision in the tissue and retracting the tissue to make a larger opening, wherein the methods and products use a water-resistant stress-distributing layer.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot including a base to support a user's foot; a support assembly extending from the base to support the user's lower leg; and an outer sole overmolded to the base.

Abstract: Various apparatus, e.g., braces or supports, and methods for stabilizing a shoulder and/or arm of a subject are provided herein. In certain variations, a shoulder stabilization apparatus includes one or more inelastic, non-stretchable and/or rigid components which restrict or limit various types of shoulder and/or arm motion, e.g., abduction. The shoulder stabilization apparatus may include various accessory straps which restrict or limit various types of shoulder and/or arm motion.

Abstract: A mouthpiece includes first and second bodies over teeth of a user. The bodies comprise frames with a bite pad between upper and lower teeth. The bite pad is molded in the frames while in situ in the mouth. The frames, prior to having the bite pads in place are hollow spaces with spanning elements spaced from each other projecting into the hollow space between a top and a bottom of each of the frames. An upper wall of the frame includes an inwardly directed lip directed towards a space inside the frames. A lower wall of the frame is extended in height relatively longer than the upper wall. A shim or a clip is inserted between the incisor edges for facilitating alignment of the incisor edges. The connector includes a slot for accommodating an extension of the shim when the shim is located with the connector.

Abstract: Methods and products for protecting tissue of a patient during a surgical procedure that involve making an incision in the tissue and retracting the tissue to make a larger opening, wherein the methods and products use a water-absorbing stress-distributing layer.

Abstract: Components for a respiratory treatment apparatus that is capable of providing a humidified respiratory treatment permit a reduction in condensation in a patient interface and/or its gas delivery tubing. In some embodiments, a rainout valve that may be an integrated component of a humidifier output aperture, or coupled thereto, may reduce condensation with a vapor barrier operable to selectively block and permit humidified gas transfer from the humidifier. For example, the barrier may be operable to open in response to a flow of pressurized breathable gas that may be generated by a flow generator of the respiratory treatment apparatus. In the absence of such a generation of pressurized flow, the barrier may prevent a transfer of the humidified gas such as into a conduit for a patient interface by retracting to a closed position. Example vapor barriers may include a resilient membrane, cover, bellows, flap, shutter or other suitable valve.

Abstract: A Tarsus Eyelid Patch and method to hold a superior tarsus in a closed position to heal or treat defects on the eye surface is presented. A perforated mesh device includes a medial edge, a lateral edge, a superior edge, an inferior edge, and an adhesive surface, wherein the perforated mesh device is a non-rigid device. The adhesive surface of the superior edge is configured to attach to a region below an eyebrow and on the superior tarsus forming a convex region and further configured to attach to and conform to the superior tarsus when the superior tarsus is in the closed position forming a concave region when the adhesive surface of the inferior edge is to attached to a lower portion of the superior tarsus when the superior tarsus is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a leak detection system and method for tube or catheter placement. The system and method includes acoustically sensing a leak in the seal between a tube or catheter within a body and the body cavity against which it is sealed, assisting the user in adjusting the system until the leak has been substantially sealed, and establishing system parameters to be used thereafter to maintain the system in an operating state that will substantially prevent leakage, all using a noninvasive acoustic technique.