Abstract: A structural element having a crescent-shaped side support with a D-shaped cross-section and a hemisphere at its ends; its sloping-edge shape and the visco-elastic material of which it is made allow it, once it has been arranged laterally to the patella and subjected to adequate medial traction, to adapt to the anatomical shape of the patella. Two belts of inelastic material are structurally integrated with the support at its ends and can be orientated through an arc of 45°, allowing to apply a direct and adjustable traction to the support, thus producing medializing forces on the patella which is functional to correct the different patterns of patellar instability. In order to keep the orthesis in place whilst it is being worn and avoid the loss of alignment with the patella during use, a strip of viscous material has been applied to the upper edge of the internal wall of the invention; the material, when rested on the skin, has a non-slip effect even with intense perspiration.

Abstract: An automatic ankle clamp for use with an extramedullary alignment device includes a cradle having a triggering device movably mounted thereon. A pair of clamp arms are resiliently mounted for movement on the triggering device between an open position and a closed position. A latch device interconnects the clamp arms and the cradle for retaining the clamp arms in the open position and for simultaneously releasing the clamp arms to the closed position in response to movement of the triggering device relative to the cradle. The clamp is attachable to an extramedullary alignment device such that urging the cradle and triggering device into engagement with a patient's ankle, automatically and simultaneously releases the clamp arms to grip the patient's ankle. A base is mounted on the cradle for calibrated medial/lateral adjustment of the clamp relative to the extramedullary alignment device.

Abstract: A mechanical joint for pivotally connecting two members, particularly members of an orthopedic or orthotic device, to limit the degree of pivotal movement between the members and precisely and easily adjust the position of limited pivotal movement between the two members.

Abstract: A wrist brace includes a sleeve and a preformed member where the preformed member includes one or more raised contact portions extending longitudinally along the preformed member. When secured to a user's hand, wrist, and distal forearm, the raised contact portions abut portions of the hand, wrist, and distal forearm and prevents pressure from being applied to the median nerve against the carpal tunnel of the user.

Abstract: Wrist brace comprising a sheet of flexible material having a first portion which is substantially non-stretchable and a second portion which is stretchable, said first and second portions being joined along a junction extending from the distal edge of said sheet to the proximal edge of said sheet.

Abstract: A water soluble film having a thickness of from 0.03 mm to 0.5 mm comprising a water soluble polymer and an active substance.

Abstract: A limb protective pad fabrication method, which includes the steps of (a) bonding a fabric front panel, a foamed lining panel and a fabric back panel to form a blank pad, (b) cutting the blank pad into a shaped pad subject to a predetermined shaped, (c) injection-molding a shield on the front panel of the shaped pad from a plastic material having a melting point at least 30.degree. C. below the melting point of the material for the front panel of the shaped pad, and (d) edging the border area of the shaped pad by stitches, enabling binding straps to be fastened to the shaped pad when stitching.

Abstract: A tendon decompression device for alleviating tendinitis pains, such as tennis elbow. The device is comprised of an adhesive tape base strip which can be adhered to the skin. The base strip has a buckle subassembly at one end and a tensioning strap subassembly at the other end. A tensioning strap passes through an opening in the buckle, permitting the buckle subassembly to be pulled towards the tensioning strap subassembly. Locking means are provided for locking the tensioning strap in place once sufficient tension has been achieved.

Abstract: An elastic textile implement to be tightly worn over an articulation or part of the body to be protected and/or aided in its mechanical action is made in a geometrically flat form foldable to shape, substantially of a single size. The implement is made in the form of a planar made of an elastic fabric comprising an elastomeric yam and substantially non-elastic yarns, conformable around said part or articulation and tautingly fixed thereon by "Velcro" .RTM. fasteners, the fabric comprising at least a third substantially non-elastic yarn of a material selected from the group composed of nylon, polyester and mylar, interwoven with at least a first and a second non-elastic yarns and with said elastomeric yam and forming a dense population of loops (M) projecting for a determined height out of one face of the fabric. "Velcro" .RTM.

Abstract: A tightening tool 1 including an elastic body 2 in the form of a belt, rope, tube, etc. for forming a tightening loop L adapted to surround a desired part of muscles and tighten it, and locking means 3 for holding the tightening loop L at a desired size. A muscle training method for accelerating enlargement and strengthening of the muscles can be practiced by the tightening tool to temporarily block the flow of blood to the desired part of the muscles.

Abstract: A tennis elbow band with a body having an end tab at one end, a strap portion, a thermal packet pocket secured to the strap at a position remote from the end tab, and a combination leverage loop and shield at the far end remote from the end tab to give mechanical assistance in tightening the band prior to securement by the end tab overlapping a portion of the strap. The thermal packet pocket is positioned immediately at the leverage loop at the end of the strap and removably receives a thermal packet. The method of the present invention is directed primarily to determining the condition of the patient, and thereafter removing the thermal packet and conditioning it to the desired temperature of either cold or heat and thereafter inserting the same into the band pocket.

Abstract: An ankle brace with a single piece hinge, interchangeable stirrup and pivot legs and an adjustable strap position fastener for protecting and exercising an injured ankle or for use with other orthopedic devices is described herein. The ankle brace pivots around a singular pivoting point on both the interior and the exterior portion of the lateral support members of the stirrup portion of the brace. The pivoting hinge of the ankle brace does not require use of metal rivets or bulky hinges and may be easily connected together by the wearer or manufacturer. The separable hinge design of the ankle brace described herein is sufficiently strong to provide substantial lateral support while allowing for forward and backward flexing of the ankle. The design also allows for interchanging the stirrup portion of the brace with different inner and outer pivot legs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt-like support device (1) for a part of the human body comprising at opposite ends (2, 3) complementary fastening elements (4A, 4B) that make it possible to close said belt about a selected part of the body. The support device is characterized in that it longitudinally comprises at least two main complementary bands (5, 6) forming a belt, with each of the main bands having a width less than the width of the belt. The bands (5, 6) may be separated from one another locally.

Abstract: A brace for the wrist of a human hand, comprising in combination, an elongated, flexible, relatively thin sheet having an inner side to receive the underside of the user's wrist, the sheet having first and second flaps to wrap over outer side portions of the user's wrist to envelop the wrist, the sheet consisting of elastomer which is foamed and which is bi-directionally stretchable, a first strap at the inner side of the sheet and locally anchored to the sheet to independently wrap adjacent a portion of the user's wrist and then over a portion of one of the flaps, primary retention elements releasably attach the first strap to said one of the flaps, thereby to initially hold the sheet to the wrist, secondary retention elements to releasably attach the flaps together when the flaps are wrapped at about the wrist to envelop the wrist, and to tension said flaps, thereby secondarily holding the sheet to the wrist and to brace the wrist, whereby dual tensioning of the brace is provided, and a hole through the she

Abstract: There is disclosed an extensible article comprising an extensible fabric and an indicator for showing when the fabric has reached a predetermined degree of extension, a method for forming such articles and a method of treatment of venous disorders comprising applying said article to an affected site on a patient.

Abstract: The following heel brace and method to reduce heel pain by securing a strap on the outer side of the ankle and bringing the strap under and up to a securing means on the opposite side of the foot whereby the calcaneus or heel bone is rotated to change the contact point of the heel and ground surface.

Abstract: A lightweight orthopedic brace having no rigid structural elements is constructed from flexible material and is designed primarily to provide for restriction of rotational movement and translation about the targeted joint by providing flexible bracing members which wind in a circumferentially spiraling manner about a target joint to provide active resistance to axial rotation and translation in the joint. The bracing members are adjustable to selectively increase the amount of resistance to axial rotation. The device may further comprise an undersleeve and/or an oversleeve to provide additional compression to the joint and to facilitate the circumferential winding of the bracing members. Construction of the orthopedic brace is such that resistance to rotation is achieved in both the internal and/or external directions. The orthopedic device has a multiplicity of uses, including, but not restricted to prophylactic, post-injury/surgery, as well as proprioceptive and retraining functions.

Abstract: A tab member (25), especially for use as a "non-touch" grip for applying a dressing (21) comprising an adhesive layer (23) and optionally a release line (24) to the skin without touching the adhesive layer (23). The tab member (25) comprises at least a first flap member (26) and a second flap member (27) being joined along one edge thereof so as to form a tab having a V-formed cross section substantially perpendicular to the line of conjunction. The combined thickness of the two flap members (26, 27) in the area of conjunction (28) is smaller than the thickness of a bent edge of the two flap members (26,27). This is a particular advantage while a decrease of the thickness of the area of conjunction (28) results in a decrease in the area of the adhesive (23) in front of the area of bending or conjunction (28), which may be subjected to air.

Abstract: A layered mounting for removably retaining a bandage between two facing wrapping sheets. An inner wrapping sheet with adhesive edges is fixed to a backing board while the edges of an outer wrapping sheet engage the adhesive edges of the inner sheet. Between the two facing wrapping sheets are an application tab and a bandage. The application tab have a lower portion retained to the inner wrapping sheet and an upper removal portion with an opposite end tab. These application tab fit over and cover a conventional bandage having a center fluid absorbing pad and two adhesive adjacent side surfaces. A pull tab on the outer wrapper sheet when pulled is used to expose the retained application tab and bandage. The upper portion of the application tab and the bandage can be removed from the two wrappers and the bandage applied to the wound area skin of a user. After doing so, the upper portion of the application tab is discarded.

Abstract: A method of wrapping the head is provided in accordance with the invention. The method includes the steps of applying a detoxifying clay or mud to the face, wrapping a first bandage around the face, pulling the top of the wrapped bandage towards the back of the head, applying a second bandage around the forehead and face, leaving the bandages in place for a predetermined period of time, removing the bandages, and removing the clay or mud from the face.