Abstract: A patient restraining device having an adjustable length bar configured to attach to the side rails of a bed and be located beneath the bed. Pivoted levers attached to the bar are connectable to straps passing around each side of the bed and connected to a restraining vest worn by the patient. The pivotable levers are in turn connected to a switch box attached to the bar so that tension in either one or both of the restraining straps causes the switch mechanism of the switch box to be activated, which in turn activates an internal or external alarm. The pivotable levers are arranged with compressible bushings so that tension in the straps must exceed a predetermined level for the levers to pivot far enough to activate the alarm.

Abstract: A multifunctional behavioral modification device to diagnose, treat and monitor treatment for snoring, bruxism, or sleep apnea. Treatment consists of regulatable aversive shock, automatically occurring with each audible sound from snoring until snoring ceases or continuously but pulsatingly administered from clenching or grinding of teeth until the action ceases or continuously but pulsatingly administered from sleep apnea until breathing restarts. The placement of electrodes for administering the regulatable aversive shock is such so as to actuate a motor nerve thereby allowing use of a shock so mild as not to awaken a sleeper but sufficient to condition against the adverse behavior being sensed.

Abstract: A surgical shield for use during surgical procedures in which lasers are utilized and which comprises a fabric inner sheet interpositioned between a pair of coextensive metal foil sheets. The three sheets are attached together at their peripheries.

Abstract: A surgical drape including an abdominal drape of the thoracic type designed for limb surgery and/or amputation procedures having a plurality of absorbent flaps strategically arranged around the fenstration and situated below an incise drape that is wrapped around and adhered to the skin of the critical area of the limb.

Abstract: A dynamic splint for treating the hands of persons with spastic conditions comprises a glove-like covering made of stretch material which covers the palm and the back of the hand. The covering includes one or more sleeve portions for receiving the thumb at least. A padding is provided over the metacarpal-phalangeal joint. Where the covering includes the index finger and an adjacent finger, the collar around each finger is provided with an accumulation of material or for facilitating extension of the index finger. The invention includes a method of treating people, in particular children, using the glove-like dynamic splint.

Abstract: A collapsible femur traction device utilizes a segmented pole with an internal elastic cord running through the segments which will hold any desired number of the segments together to establish different effective lengths of the pole, so that the traction device can be used on small children as well as large adults, and is also collapsible into a very compact form. At the upper end of the pole, the segments are pulled apart and bent over double to achieve the proper length, with the adjacent ends of the pole inserted into a double socket which is attached to a strap on the upper thigh of the broken leg. A tensionable harness around the ankle applied traction to the leg by pulling it toward the opposite end of the pole, which extends beyond the foot.

Abstract: The invention is a lumbar dynamic splint made of low temperature thermoplastic material and designed to provide an exact contour fit to the patient's body. The device comprises a vertical back piece, a chest piece, a right pelvis arm, a left pelvic arm, two vertical front struts, two chest strap anchors, and a chest strap.

Abstract: A gloved splint is adapted for use in conjunction with physical therapy necessitated by injury or disease and to preclude grotesque distortion of the fingers due to rheumatoid arthritis induced muscle contractions. Hinged finger splints, with or without a hinged thumb splint, extending from a palm splint, permit flexing of specific joints in normal manner while precluding sideways flexing at any of the joints; moreover, inflexible or particularly molded finger and/or thumb splints may be incorporated to assist particular therapeutic treatment. A glovelike envelope, fillable with a fluid, incapsulates the hand, fingers and thumb and provides a shock absorbent buffer to minimize transmission of painful blows and jolts to the hand; a further envelope attendant a wrist portion of the glove serves as a reservoir for delivering fluid to and receiving fluid from the glovelike envelope.

Abstract: A contraceptive device for females comprising a toroidal collar having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, an internal wall, and an external wall, the internal wall having an internal diameter sufficient to surround the cervix and the external wall having an outside diameter such that the anterior and posterior fornices are substantially filled by the collar. The posterior portion is in the posterior fornix and the anterior portion is in the anterior fornix. There is a bowl, below the cervix, on the collar and extending downwardly therefrom. A valve depends from the lower portion of the bowl and is connected therewith, thereby to allow flow from said bowl into the vagina but restricting or preventing entry into the bowl from the vagina. A projection is attached to the collar or the bowl extending anteriorly of the device, whereby reversal of the device and/or substantial rotation thereof around the cervix is prevented. It also assists in removal thereof.

Abstract: A flexible yet strong member having an adhesive on one side which can be secured to the anal area to physically hold the hemorrhoids within the anal orifice with the member including means such as orifices to permit bowel gas or flatulence to rapidly escape therethrough without dislodging the hemorrhoid retainer from the anal area.

Abstract: An earplug for attenuating sound and providing a watertight seal at the auricle is provided which is made of solid, closed cell, slow recovery foam having an external flange adapted to extend beyond the auricle, the surface of the plug being convex to reflect away sound, and having an inwardly extending conical portion fitting into the auricle or cavum concha and the outer portion of the auditory canal sealing off the meatus of the external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal. The closed cell foam provides a multitude of convex and concave surfaces which dramatically reflect, dissipate and attenuate sound waves.

Abstract: A modular splint system includes segments that are connectable to each other with a velcro.RTM.-like material. Multiple segments can be connected to each other so as to form an elongated splint. Normally two elongated multi-segment sections are placed on opposite sides of a broken limb and are connected firmly to each other by a strap that engages the velcro.RTM.-like material on the backside of the splint segments. An inflatable air cushion is located on the inside of each splint segment. The air bag may be filled with a coolant in order to reduce swelling and the like. All the components of the splint system and can be stored in a relatively small travelling case.

Abstract: A Patient Restraint Device that allows medical and rescue personnel to quickly immobilize and secure an injured person to a stretcher, cot or backboard. The invention utilizes a compact, rapid deployment configuration and features "J" shaped clips to attach restraining straps to the stretcher side rails or edges, and a length adjusting device to quickly tighten or loosen the restraining strap.

Abstract: A surgical drape support for use in eye surgery or other surgery, for maintaining adjustable support of surgical drapes above the patient's nose and mouth, creating a small tent into which oxygen is supplied by a hose, allowing the patient to breathe freely. With the front legs of the support placed between the patient's shoulders and the operating table the greatest stability is achieved and the rear legs find their best location as the support is adjustably positioned for height by raising or lowering the frame on its legs with the locking screws just loose enough for a pivoting motion. The knurled locking screws are tightened to maintain the prefixed position and four point stability of the instrument on the operating table, resulting in a more relaxed state of mind for both patient and surgeon.

Abstract: An orthopedic cast spacing and spreading device including a first othogonal member having one end face and mutually parallel sidewall surfaces and a second orthogonal member having a generally planar end face and mutually sidewall surfaces. The other ends of the first and second orthogonal members are coaxially joined and at least one flange laterally projects from said orthopedic cast spacing and spreading device at the junction of said first and second orthogonal members. A physician may selectively insert either said first orthogonal member or said second orthogonal member into a kerf formed in a patient's cast to relieve pressure created by the cast in the event of swelling of patient's limb.

Abstract: A trackless climbing simulation exercise device comprising an inclined plane, a pair of interconnected hydraulic cylinders affixed to the inclined plane in a fashion allowing angular movement, and a pair of steps one of each hung from the cylinder rods moving freely on the inclined plane and moveable in a generally inclined vertical direction to effectuate stair climbing exercise.

Abstract: A surgical drape is disclosed which is adapted for protectively covering a limb of a patient during arthroscopic surgery, and while placing the limb in traction. The drape comprises a tubular sleeve, a pair of elongate traction strips mounted on the inside of the sleeve, and strap means overlying the outside of the sleeve and having opposite ends attached through the sleeve to respective ones of the traction strips. Also, a wrap is provided for encircling the sleeve when the sleeve is mounted on the limb of patient to circumferentially bind the tubular sleeve upon the limb. When the tubular sleeve is thus mounted upon the limb, a traction force may be applied to the strap, which results in the force being applied to the limb along the elongate contact area between the traction strips and the limb, and such that the force is distributed over a broad area so as to avoid injury to the limb. A method of fabricating the sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: Splints for immobilizing and supporting injured limbs, fingers, or the neck of a patient may be fashioned of thin malleable sheet metal, preferably dead soft aluminum, provided in the form of a flat strip folded to a convenient, compact shape for storage. For use as a splint, the aluminum sheet is bent to include a stiffening flange or rib extending longitudinally and centrally along the material to support the body member on which the splint is used. The same material may be formed as a cervical collar including a plurality of vertically-extending, outwardly-projecting stiffening flanges. The sheet metal is preferably covered by a layer of adhesively attached, resilient plastic foam material which insulates, cushions, and helps to prevent the splint from shifting relative to the body of the person on which it is used.

Abstract: A cyclical therapeutic joint exerciser is provided; it alternatively imparts a straightening and bending motion to a desired joint of a patient, e.g., a finger, elbow or knee. The device primarily consists of an inflatable pouch to which a spring steel member is removably attached. The spring or springs maintain the body portion in a flexed, non-extended position when the pouch remains uninflated. As the pouch is inflated, the springs mounted on the pouch, which are normally in a bent position, are extended along with the joint. When the pouch is deflated, the inherent biasing action of the springs causes the pouch and springs to bend, which brings the joint back to the flexed position.

Abstract: An earplug device includes a headband with earplugs attached to the ends thereof. The earplugs have a head portion and a shank portion, the latter with its rear end joined to the associated headband end. The shank portion has a stiffened middle section and is articulately connected on either side thereof respectively to the head portion and headband end to form a doubly articulated shank configuration. The head portion is thus given the opportunity of coacting in the best possible way with the auditory canal of an ear, and to a substantial degree independently of the attitude of the headband.