Abstract: A removable and replaceable hip orthotic that includes a back panel formed from a rigid material that supports a patient's lumbar area; a front panel formed from the rigid material that supports the patient's abdomen area and is hinged to the back panel to allow application and removal of the orthotic to the patient; a leg support that extends from the back support that includes a space that allows a patient's leg to pass through into the leg support; and straps to secure the back panel to the front panel and the leg into the leg support. The back panel includes a pair of windows with a trochanter pad movably disposed within the windows. An adjustment mechanism selectively moves the trochanter pads relative to the greater trochanter regions of the hips of the patient to apply pressure to the hip joint to prevent dislocation of the femoral head.

Abstract: A digital strapping system comprising an alternatively configurable hallux strap system for positioning and exercising a hallux of a foot, and/or an alternatively configurable osteotomy strap system for positioning and exercising a second and/or third digit of a foot.

Abstract: A brace for relief of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome employs a strap element having a thumb aperture proximate a first end and a slot adjacent a peripheral edge of the strap element to receive a fifth finger. The strap element extends from the thumb aperture to be received in a central portion across a dorsal portion of a hand. The strap element then extends around the ulnar border and across the palm of the hand past the radial border with a tail portion of the strap element overlapping the central portion. A fastener moiety is provided on the tail portion of the strap element and a mating moiety on an outer surface of the strap element to engages the fastener moiety. The strap element tensioned around the hand produces approximation of carpals and metacarpals in the hand.

Abstract: Wound packing material, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, includes a body of a porous material, the body having frangible regions defining a plurality of portions, the frangible regions allowing the portions to be selectively removed from the body. Methods of manufacturing the wound packing material, and methods of its use, are provided.

Abstract: A hinged ankle brace having a semi-rigid ankle cuff and a semi-rigid foot bed rotatably connected by a medial hinge and a lateral hinge provides enhanced stability and support to a wearer's ankle. The medial hinge of the ankle brace may be higher than the lateral hinge to accurately replicate the bending motion of an ankle. The ankle brace also includes ratchetably interconnected semi-rigid straps. These semi-rigid straps provide a semi-rigid structure encircling the ankle of a wearer for enhanced support. The ratchet mechanism may include a curved window that enables angular adjustment of the ratchting straps. The ankle brace may also include a soft inner liner and a soft outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is configured to provide compression to the semi-rigid shell, which in turn provides additional compression to the ankle. The semi-rigid foot bed may include posterior extensions that cup and support the wearer's heel, and a posterior cut-out portion that receives the wearer's heel.

Abstract: A skin frame or other skin straining device strains skin on each side of a wound where a wound has been closed to off load stresses at the wound site. A dressing may be applied to the strained skin. The dressing may be integral with one or more elements of the skin straining device.

Abstract: Finger splints for use in connection with distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint fractures are disclosed. The splints include a ring element at least partially positioned around a finger at a location proximal to the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and include an extension member that extends over the DIP joint and attaches to the fingernail.

Abstract: A plantar fasciitis arch support (PFAS) device is presented. The PFAS device is an ergonomic compression device that administers a measured pressure along the tissue on the plantar surface of the foot for purpose of relieving the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. The device works by directly compressing and stretching the plantar fascia in order to relieve pressure at the plantar fascia attachment points. This device differs from current conventional splints that use a dorsiflexion force of the foot and ankle complex to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. The device is small, affordable, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. It targets the fascia directly, stretching the tendon gently through the night rather than indirectly stretching the calf or Achilles tendon.

Abstract: Oxygen diffusive wound dressings and methods of manufacturing and use are described herein. The wound dressing may generally provide a ready supply of oxygen to a wound being treated via one or more oxygen conduits which are designed to pass oxygen from ambient air or other oxygen reservoirs into proximity to the wound, and may also provide for exudate removal through transecting channels in fluid communication with both the wound surface and a hydrophilic absorbent material.

Abstract: A cervical restraint, traction, and exercise device and method includes a padded restraint system for a person's head, and an adjustable support system. The head may be placed in any of a number of three dimensional orientations until a particular orientation is reached, for example a pain-free or substantially pain-free orientation, and then a restraint system engaged, restraining the head in the particular three dimensional orientation against a set of one or more pads. The system may then be adjusted to apply a traction force. The device may be used in conjunction with a second restraint system that positions and restrains the person's torso. Use of the system may enable the user to perform exercises while certain body parts, including the head and neck, are restrained in pain-free or substantially pain-free positions to obtain therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A physical rehabilitation device for the treatment of a medical condition of the foot known as plantar fasciitis includes a splint which is connected to the toe and ankle of a patient. The splint can be used in a method for treating plantar fasciitis known as “dynamic splinting”. This device allows the patient to bend the ankle and thus dynamically change the flexion in the foot of the patient. The device itself is unique, but the method of treatment made possible by this device is also unique.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an orthotic apparatus includes a frame structure having an upper frame portion moveable relative to a lower frame portion. The orthotic apparatus further includes at least one strap attached to the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion of the frame structure. The at least one strap and the frame structure, together, are configured to apply a therapeutic moment to a joint of a limb responsive to positioning the limb within a limb-receiving space formed between the at least one strap and the frame structure.

Abstract: A multi-centric orthopedic joint having inner and outer guide plates and upper and lower arms rotatably connected to the guide plates for pivotal movement therebetween. The plates each include upper and lower pairs of curved bean shaped slots, tilted relative to one another. The arms include a proximal end, the proximal end further including pins positioned and proportioned for complimental sliding movement within the upper and lower slots of the guide plates. Set screws are positioned between the inner and outer guide plate against a locking surface of the proximal end of each arm. When the set screws are loosened the upper and lower arms may be moved relative to one another, permitting the guide pins to slide within the slots but in opposite directions relative to one another. Flat-screws secure the inner and outer guide plates and co-act with the set screws as a locking mechanism of proximal ends of said arms at a desired angulation between them.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive composition consisting of a continuous phase comprising cross-linked polyalkyleneoxide polymer and a discontinuous phase comprising water absorbent hydrophilic agents wherein a) the water absorbent hydrophilic agent(s) is present in an amount between 1 and 40% w/w of the total adhesive composition; and b) the continuous phase comprises the reaction product (X) of: (i) a polyalkyleneoxide polymer having one or more unsaturated end groups, and where more than 90% w/w of the polyalkylene oxide polymer consist of polymerised alkyleneoxide moities having three or more carbon atoms, and (ii) an organosiloxane comprising one or more Si—H groups, carried out in the presence of an addition reaction catalyst. The present invention also relates to medical devices comprising such pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: An improved strap has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions. An inner surface of the middle portion and inner and outer surfaces of the first end portion include a foam material. The foam material of the inner surfaces of the middle and first end portions is positionable against skin of the patient. An outer surface of the middle portion includes a fabric material and a foam region. An inner surface of the second end portion includes a retainer for connecting the inner surface of the second end portion to the fabric material of the outer surface of the middle portion.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet having a wound facing surface and a back surface, said top sheet being adapted to block or restrict passage of liquid from the back surface to the wound facing surface; and an insoluble hydrogel layer adjacent to the back surface of the top sheet.

Abstract: A reinforced closure anchor includes a first layer having an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an outer edge. An anchor member layer having a reinforcing structure is disposed on the first layer. The anchor member includes an adhesive side and an opposite non-adhesive side. The anchor member adhesive side is adhered to the first layer non-adhesive side. The anchor member is disposed within the outer edge of the first layer.

Abstract: A reinforced closure anchor includes a fabric layer having an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an outer edge. An anchor member layer having a reinforcing structure is disposed on the fabric layer. The anchor member is adhered to the fabric layer adhesive side. The anchor member is disposed within the outer edge of the fabric layer.

Abstract: A dressing for applying compression to a wound in a patient includes a bladder having a non-deformable end wall and a deformable membrane. The dressing may include a flexible web having an adhesive layer on one side thereof for securing the dressing to the patient so as to hold the bladder against the patient's skin. Upon inflation, the deformable membrane projects towards the patient's skin and exerts pressure on the wound to reduce the flow of blood from the wound.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes at least one torque band disposable around a users' body and having opposing ends extending outwardly from the users' body and generally transverse to a user's spine along with apparatus applying counteracting forces to the ends in order to torque the body to the corrective posture. In addition, a support table may be provided along with a cervical device disposed on the table drop leaf and a pelvis/leg/feet carrier slidably disposed on the table. A lumbar sacral unit is disposed on the table between the cervical device and the pelvis/leg/feet carrier and a movable thorax carrier may be disposed on the support table between the sacral unit and the cervical device.