Abstract: An external ankle brace for restricting movement of an ankle in a first direction and permitting movement of the ankle in a second direction includes a rigid heel enclosure having a rear portion and a forward portion. A lateral upright extension is perpendicular to the rigid heel enclosure and is attached to the lateral sidewall. A medial upright extension is perpendicular to the rigid heel enclosure and is attached to the medial sidewall. At least a chosen one of the lateral and medial upright extensions is selectively pivotally attached to a corresponding lateral or medial sidewall and includes a pivot prevention feature configured to selectively prevent pivoting of the chosen one of the lateral and medial upright extensions with respect to the corresponding lateral or medial sidewall.

Abstract: An oral appliance device that selectively engages upper teeth and lower teeth within a human mouth includes an upper appliance member, a lower appliance member, and a first vertical shim. The upper appliance member selectively engages the upper teeth. The lower appliance member selectively engages the lower teeth. The appliance members are movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The first vertical shim is removably secured to one of the appliance members. The first vertical shim has a first shim height so that a teeth spacing between the upper teeth and the lower teeth is maintained when the appliance members are in the closed position. The teeth spacing is at least as great as the first shim height. The oral appliance device can further include a second vertical shim that is alternatively, removably secured to one of the appliance members. The second vertical shim has a second shim height that is different than the first shim height.

Abstract: Wearable support structure for at least partly relieving a human body during leaning or bending over, said structure comprising a frame having a chest support, pivoting arrangements for pivoting the support structure in correspondence with the leaning or bending or the human body, an elongated stay connected to said chest support, a lumbar support, connected to said pivoting arrangements, and arranged for bearing upon a lumbar area of said human body, and a thigh support, connected to said pivoting arrangements, and arranged for bearing upon a front side of a thigh area of said human body. The wearable support structure comprises a connecting device for detachably connecting at least one of: said thigh support to said pivoting arrangements; said elongated stay to said chest support; and said elongated stay to said pivoting arrangements.

Abstract: A compression garment for a limb is disclosed. The garment can include a body portion and a spine portion. Each of the body and spine portions can have a plurality of bands (e.g. bands for adjusting tension of the garment). The spine portion can be releasably attached onto the body portion such that the spine portion is positionable at different locations on the body portion to adjust a width of the garment. The bands of the body portion and/or of the spine portion can be trimmable and include a detachable fastener, whereby as a result the band can be caused to move to a plurality of different positions to adjust the garment to a plurality of different sized limbs (e.g. different sized feet).

Abstract: The present invention relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes improved extensibility. The present invention further relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes which are extensible so as to at least partially conform to a body contour at wound surface upon stretching of the dressing.

Abstract: A leg support that attaches to a user's leg and extends below the user's foot, where stepping on the portion below the user's foot causes the portion around the user's upper leg to tighten. This allows the leg support and the user's leg to bear the user's weight with the user's foot remaining untouched. When the user takes his or her weight off of the leg support, the portion around the user's upper leg loosens for the user's comfort. The leg support insures that there is zero pressure on the bottom of the user's foot and all of the user's weight and vertical shear pressure is converted into horizontal compression pressure around the user's leg.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure system for treating tissue, such as damaged subcutaneous tissue, includes a shaped dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis and substantially sized to overlay the damaged subcutaneous tissue. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the shaped dressing bolster and a portion of the patient's epidermis, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The reduced-pressure system may develop a force, which may include a vertical force that is realized at tissue site deeper than the epidermis or a closing force directed towards the incision. The shaped dressing bolster is shaped to evenly distribute the force. Other methods and systems are included.

Abstract: A brace for a person's hand has a cradle shaped to extend over the side of the hand in the area between a person's wrist crease and pinky-finger. The cradle may include two opposing curved sides, each side being joined to the other along a longitudinal edge. Opposite the longitudinal edge, each side has a distal edge. The distal edges may be spaced apart from each other by a distance that is approximately the thickness of a person's hand in the area extending from the person's wrist crease to the interstice between the pinky-finger and ring-finger. The cradle is shaped to extend over a side of the wearer's hand between a person's wrist crease and pinky-finger.

Abstract: Systems for immobilizing a patient are disclosed. The system includes at least one preform formed from a low melting temperature thermoplastic, the preform being configured to be formed to the anatomy of the patient, at least one frame coupled to the at least one preform, and at least one support configured to support the anatomy of the patient. The system also includes at least one lock mechanism coupled to at least one of the frame and the support and configured to couple the at least one frame to the at least one support, and at least one adjuster mechanism coupled to at least one of the at least one frame and the at least one support and configured to selectively adjust a distance between the at least one frame and the at least one support while the at least one frame is coupled to the at least one support.

Abstract: A medical device for repositioning tissue within an animal has a main body with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The first end portion defines a series of passageways and the second end portion defines a bulbous shape, a slot, and a tab portion. Methods of treating obstructive sleep apnea are also described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides infant swaddling device or system in the form of two sleeves to help dampen the moro reflex—one for each arm—with the option of a non-flexible backing (or splint) and weighting. This device safely mimics the swaddling effect by adequately reducing the moro (twitching) reflex and flailing of arms, thus helping baby sleep for longer periods of time. The infant swaddle device may eliminate or reduce the risk of suffocation or overheating that other swaddle transition suits, garments, methods, or devices pose. This device can be used as a swaddle alternative; in conjunction of a swaddle blanket or sack, pod, etc. or without; or as a transition device to easily wean infants from the swaddle.

Abstract: A reusable thermoplastic cast may include: a core material (10) having a net shape as a result of molding a synthetic resin elastomer into a net shape by of injection molding or press-working; and a structure (20), which consists of a polycaprolactone composite material and is molded to surround the outer circumferential surface of the core material (10) by insert injection. Example embodiments improve breathability by forming a cast in a net shape and provide a cast which is structurally sturdy and appropriate for mass production by molding the cast by, e.g., insert injection.

Abstract: The present general inventive concept, in various embodiments, includes a brace for protective or therapeutic restraint of the ankle and/or foot. In some embodiments, the brace comprises a holding pocket of flexible material for stabilizing the ankle or foot, a means for releasably and adjustably attaching the holding pocket around the foot and ankle, a first support strap including a means for releasably and adjustably binding the first support strap to itself, a first support cuff including a means for releasably and adjustably tightening the first support cuff upon itself, a second support strap including a means for releasably and adjustably binding the second support strap to itself, and a second support cuff including a means for releasably and adjustably tightening the second support cuff upon itself.

Abstract: The present methods, systems, and devices relate to an occlusion device for blocking a biological tube, the biological tube being prone to a peristaltic wave having a wave length, and where the occlusion device comprises at least two sections, where each section is connected by at least one narrowing to at least one other section. The occlusion device is of an elastic material, and each section is configured to deform when a force is applied by the peristaltic wave, and the length of at least one of the at least two sections corresponds substantially to the wave length of the peristaltic wave in the biological tube, so as to absorb the peristaltic wave. The methods, systems, and devices relates to reversible contraception of female and/or male gendered species intervening with biological tube, which are responsible for transportation of fertility fluids, such as the transportation of spermatozoes or oocytes in for example the human reproductive system.

Abstract: A device sized and shaped for alleviating organ prolapse when inserted into a vagina, comprising: (a) an adjustably flexible, substantially planar ring provided with at least one opposing snapping element; (b) a central rod extending at least partially through the ring transverse to the snapping elements, where the central rod is provided with counterpart slots configured for insertion of the snapping elements therein; and, (c) a connection block, co-axial with the central rod and slidable thereover to transition the device from an expanded state to a collapsed state, configured with slots which align with the counterpart slots of the central rod for passage of at least one snapping element therethrough when the device is in the collapsed state.

Abstract: A body trunk supporter provided with: a belt-like lower band section that is adapted to be wrapped around and positioned at the pelvis of a user; an X-shaped stretchable middle band section that has a pair of lower end parts joined to the lower band section and that presses areas of the lumbar region of the user; and a pair of upper band sections that are jointed to a pair of upper end parts of the middle band section and that are adapted to be wrapped around and positioned at the chest of the user, wherein the pair of lower end parts of the middle band section are configured to be joined to areas ranging from positions that are immediately lateral to the pelvis of the user to adjacent anterior positions thereof in the lower band section; and the pair of upper band sections are configured to be separated from each other and to extend in bilaterally opposite directions in an unfolded state, and are configured to be wrapped around and positioned near fifth to tenth ribs of the chest of the user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination.

Abstract: An adjustable mouth shield device provides an adjustably fitted mouth shield with adjustable headband for secure fit. An adjustable headband is fastened to a padded earpiece. A straight first extension from the earpiece is angled downwardly and forwardly to terminate in a swivel joint providing almost 360 degrees of swivel. A second extension is arced both downwardly and forwardly. A mouthpiece is fitted to an adjustable spring mount for horizontal pivot of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may, by virtue of the swivel joint and the spring mount, be moved completely away from a user's mouth and, in turn, pivoted and swiveled to be directly in front of the user's mouth. A filter is releasably attachable to the mouthpiece to shield a user's breath from objects, foods and other materials.

Abstract: A support for an article has a body arranged for length adjustment along a length adjustment axis. A tensioning device is connected to the support and adjustment of the tensioning device shortens or lengthens a length of the support along the length adjustment axis. The body defines at least one opening overlapping at least part of the length adjustment axis such that length adjustment is governed by modification of the size of the at least one opening according to adjustment by the tensioning device.

Abstract: In device for placing a toe of a patient's foot in traction may broadly include a shoe portion (e.g., a sole, counter, and strap(s)); a toe attachment apparatus (e.g., a Chinese finger trap) having a cable extending therefrom; a pulley, with the cable wrapped about the pulley; and an apparatus (e.g., a ratchet, an actuator, and the like) configured to apply tension to the cable to create traction in the toe. A second actuator may adjust lateral positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of adduction for the traction provided to the toe by the cable. A meter may be coupled to the cable to indicate an amount of tension provided thereto. Another actuator may adjust elevational positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of dorsiflexion for the traction provided to the toe by the cable.