Abstract: A device for stimulating at least one cranial nerve and/or spinal nerve is described. The device includes a vibratory motor, and an earpiece, wherein the earpiece is molded substantially to fit within the external ear canal and contacting the concha of a subject's ear. A method of reducing migraine headache and trigeminal neuropathy pain is also described. The method includes positioning a vibratory earpiece within an ear of a subject, applying vibrational energy to at least a portion of the skin of at least one of the auditory canal, auricle and concha of the ear, thereby stimulating at least one sensory fiber of at least one of cranial nerve 5, cranial nerve 7, cranial nerve 9, cranial nerve 10, spinal nerve C2, and spinal nerve C3. A method to normalize breathing, normalize blood pressure, induce sleep, increase salivation, and improve vertigo, nausea, and visual dysfunction accompanying migraine is also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multifunctional head massager are disclosed. The multifunctional head massages includes a helmet including a front shell and a rear shell, and a controller connected to the helmet. A blinder for massaging eyes is detachably connected to the front shell. In the present invention, the blinder is detachably connected to the front shell, so that the head massager has the eye massage function at the same time. When users do not want to massage their eyes, the blinder can be removed, and the head massage function is not affected.

Abstract: A hollow structure for a face mask includes an inner wall, an outer wall spaced from the inner wall to define a hollow area between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a bottom wall that couples the inner wall to the outer wall. A first portion and a second portion together define a closable opening into the hollow area. The second portion is coupled to the outer wall by a bi-stable membrane that allows the second portion to move between (1) a first, opened position in which the second portion is spaced from the first portion to allow access to the hollow area through the opening, and (2) a second, closed position in which the second position abuts the first portion to close the opening.

Abstract: This massage device is configured to apply pressure to a human user's back, shoulders, or any distinct part of the musculoskeletal system. It can also be operated with a single arm and attaches to the user's forearm to apply pin-point or various pressure to target muscles. The massage device includes an arm plate that is configured to cover a forearm and a wrist of a human user. A hand grip is mechanically coupled to the arm plate and configured to accommodate the gripping of human fingers. A wrist bar is attached to the arm plate. A J-bar may be attached to the wrist bar. A tip is attached to the J-bar or directly to the short wrist bar. The tip is configured to provide variant pressure to the human user's back or shoulders or distal body part. Thereby duplicating mechanical pressure applied by a trained bodyworker by the untrained self at a much more reasonable price.

Abstract: In a back massaging apparatus capable of projecting a massaging mechanism forward and returning the same to an original normal position, a motion amount is to be sufficient. The back massaging apparatus provided in a chair-type massaging machine includes: a massaging mechanism having: left and right paired massaging members each of which is provided with a treatment unit performing a massaging operation; and a drive unit transmitting a massaging operation to the massaging members; and a projection amount variable mechanism which moves the massaging members so that a projection amount of the treatment unit in the back and forth direction is varied.

Abstract: A medical tubing holder system includes a connector, a holding assembly and a retainer block. The holding assembly has an arm, and optional flanges to capture part of medical tubing, such as an endotracheal tube. The retainer block is distal from the holding assembly. The retainer block defines an aperture that receives a tube therein. The aperture is smaller than a tube flange placed between the block and the holding assembly, so as to capture the tube flange. An attachment element joins the holding assembly to the retainer block, and has length that is adjustable to selectively vary a distance between the block and the holding assembly. The attachment element effectively secures the retainer block, holding the tube flange, to the holding assembly and connector, which is secured to the patient's head, to prevent self or accidental extubation. A related method is provided.

Abstract: A portable vibrating roller includes an outer roller structure having a plurality of grooves and ribs. A hollow cylindrical bore extends longitudinally through the shell. A vibration system having a first end cap and a second end cap fits within the bore. A battery positioned within the shell near one end cap provides electrical power to a motor positioned within the shell near the other end cap to cause the motor to rotate an output shaft at a plurality of angular velocities to rotate an eccentric mass located approximately midway between the two end caps. The rotating eccentric mass causes vibration. A motor control circuit receives input power from a battery and selectively provides output power to the motor in response to the operation of a switch on the first end cap. The output power is varied to control the angular velocity of the output shaft of the motor and to thereby control a frequency of vibration caused by the eccentric mass.

Abstract: Described herein is a device for tightening the abdominal muscles (e.g., rectus abdominus) at any time, including prior to eating. In more detail, for a duration prior to eating, the vibration device may be held forcefully against the abdomen to impart vibrations to the abdominal muscles. While the vibrations are being imparted, the abdominal muscles may also be contracted. The vibration device may include a base having a first surface and second surface, with the second surface facing the abdominal muscles, and a shaft movable relative to the base along an axis, with the shaft extending outwardly from the first surface. A motor may be configured to produce vibrations substantially along to the axis. The vibrations may be of sufficient magnitude to cause corresponding vibrations in the base and thus the abdominal muscles. A mechanism may be used to control the motor.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied in a physical therapy or health maintenance stretching system including a frame configured for engaging a treated leg of a user at or near the popliteal space of the treated leg to allow a knee of the treated leg to bend inwards in response to gravitational force affecting a lower portion of the treated leg. The frame may be further configured to allow a knee of the treated leg to bend inwards in response to a user force directly or indirectly applied to the lower portion of the treated leg.

Abstract: A method includes determining, on a processor, a current movement phase for a compound joint function based on sensor data. The method further includes determining, on the processor, a respective robot state parameter trace for each movement phase in a normal and impaired subject. The method further includes determining, on the processor, a deficit parameter for each movement phase. The method further includes determining, on the processor, an adaptive magnitude for the robot applied torque based on the deficit parameter of the current movement phase. The method further includes applying, to the robot joint, the adaptive magnitude for the robot applied torque for the current movement phase, based on an adaptive timing for the current movement phase. An apparatus is also described for providing deficit-adjusted adaptive assistance during movement phases of the impaired joint.

Abstract: A stand-alone chamber or multi-chamber inhalation system has at least two alternative vaporized test liquid supply systems for passive or self-administered delivery of vaporized test fluid and air to one or more test chambers based on operator selection of delivery on and off times in a passive mode or actuation of an actuator in the chamber by a test animal in a self-administered mode. In one case, a multiple inhalation chamber system has two or more separate test fluid delivery systems and provides options for selective passive uniform drug delivery to multiple chambers or selective delivery of two or more different drugs to different groups of chambers from different delivery systems so that two different drugs or different concentrations of delivered drugs can be tested simultaneously.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide skin stimulating devices and methods that address the aging effects of skin at a protein level. Particularly, cyclical mechanical strain is used to regulate specific proteins within the skin, so as to produce specific effects. As a non-limiting example, the disclosed embodiments can be used to increase the production of certain proteins (e.g., hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3); fibronectin; tropoelastin; procoll1; integrin, etc.) in the skin, which results in anti-aging effects by increasing epidermal cohesion.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide skin stimulating devices and methods that address the aging effects of skin at a protein level. Particularly, cyclical mechanical strain is used to regulate specific proteins within the skin, so as to produce specific effects. As a non-limiting example, the disclosed embodiments can be used to increase the production of certain proteins (e.g., hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3); fibronectin; tropoelastin; procoll1; integrin, etc.) in the skin, which results in anti-aging effects by increasing epidermal cohesion.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide skin stimulating devices and methods that address the aging effects of skin at a protein level. Particularly, cyclical mechanical strain is used to regulate specific proteins within the skin, so as to produce specific effects. As a non-limiting example, the disclosed embodiments can be used to increase the production of certain proteins (e.g., hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3); fibronectin; tropoelastin; procoll1; integrin, etc.) in the skin, which results in anti-aging effects by increasing epidermal cohesion.

Abstract: A headgear for use with a mask includes a first strap being configured to engage a back of a patient's head and extend on either side of the patient's parietal bone behind the patient's ears and assume, in use, a substantially circular or oval shape. At least a portion of the first strap is substantially inextensible. The headgear also includes at least one second strap configured to removably connect the first strap to the mask. The second strap may be more extensible than the first strap. At least a portion of the first strap is self-supporting such that the headgear maintains a three dimensional shape when not in use. The substantially inextensible portion of the first strap is constructed to resiliently return to a predetermined shape when not in use. The arcuate region includes a first portion that may be arranged to align substantially parallel with a top of the patient's head and a second portion being arranged to align substantially to a rear surface of the patient's head.

Abstract: A method of treatment by vibration stimulation is provided. The method includes providing an expandable stimulation member adapted to impart vibrations to body tissue of a human subject; introducing the stimulation member into a body cavity of the human subject; expanding the stimulation member to a volume such that the stimulation member abuts against body tissue within the body cavity; bringing the stimulation member to vibrate such that vibrations are imparted to the body tissue in the body cavity of the human subject according to a vibration pattern, wherein the vibration pattern includes a main periodic element of a first frequency and an excitation stimulus of a second frequency higher than the first frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing, managing and/or treating peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease in a patient. The systems and methods include measuring, optimizing transmissibility and coordinating the delivery of pressure (e.g., sound) waves that are delivered using higher frequency RF band energy in a pulsed manner to carry the energy to larger areas of the patient's tissue. The pressure wave may be delivered at generally the same time a heart pulse beat of the patient is detected.

Abstract: An improved oscillating positive expiratory pressure (“OPEP”) device, for respiratory therapy having a self sterilizing flow valve capable of insertion into the curved OPEP body without tools or aids. The flow valve is also tear resistant and incorporates a flared reinforced proximal end. To maximize the benefit to patients, the adjustable therapy selector is constrained from withdrawal and is dimensioned to accept commercially available, standardized respiratory fittings adaptors, mouthpieces and “Tees” that are capable of connection to multiple respiratory therapy devices or medicated aerosol delivery units. The aesthetics have been altered by the addition of an arced handle.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an input indicative of at least one factor that contributes to the development of pressure ulcers; determining a risk score as a function of the input; comparing the risk score to a previous risk score; and at least one of activating a therapy configured to reduce the magnitude of the factor and notifying a caregiver if the risk score is greater than the previous risk score.

Abstract: A self-massage roller having a bottle, a covering, and, optionally, a removable cap. The bottle provides a vessel for holding liquids. The covering includes a base layer and a plurality of nubs. The base layer overlays the outer surface of the bottle. Each nub in the plurality of nubs protrudes from the base layer in a direction radially away from the outer surface of the bottle. Each nub is a massage element, and the plurality of nubs forms a textured surface for myofascial release of certain muscles of the user. In another version, each nub is attached directly to the outer surface of the bottle without an intervening base layer. In versions with a cap, the cap may include a flip-up spout, or it may have a plunger valve that opens upon pulling the plunger outward and closes upon pushing in the plunger.