Abstract: A multi-layered composite material suitable for use in orthopedics includes a foam core layer bonded between two layers of thermoformable polymer material. The thermoformable material is heat formable within a target temperature range allowing for rapid heating and application to a patient such as in the form of a splint. While within the target temperature range, the composite material includes a dwell time sufficiently long to enable proper fitment and adjustment, yet not overly long requiring extended periods of holding the composite material in place. The composite material is very light yet extremely rigid and easily conformable to patients.

Abstract: A releasable medical drape, and systems and methods having the same, includes at least a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and a soft-gel layer having a plurality of apertures. The soft-gel layer is configured to be disposed adjacent to a tissue site. A portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends through the plurality of apertures in the soft-gel layer to contact the tissue site. The soft-gel layer forms a good seal with the tissue site and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extending through the plurality of apertures forms a firm—but releasable—coupling with the tissue site.

Abstract: Systems, kits, methods of manufacturing, and a sealing member for creating a sealed space are described. The sealing member can include a film layer and a first adhesive layer coupled to the film layer. The sealing member can also include a second adhesive layer coupled to the first adhesive layer. A plurality of apertures may extend through the second adhesive layer. Each aperture can expose at least a portion of the first adhesive layer through the second adhesive layer. A plurality of polymer particles may be disposed in the first adhesive layer. The polymer particles can be configured to dissolve in response to interaction with a switching solution.

Abstract: A wound dressing assembly includes a wound cover and a carrier. The wound cover has a length and width substantially greater than a height (or thickness), a first major surface, and a second major surface, opposite the first. The first major surface has disposed thereon a wound cover pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a colloidal absorbent, and it is arranged and configured to adhere to mammalian skin during use. The carrier has a length and width substantially greater than a height (or thickness), a first major surface, and a second major surface, opposite the first. The first major surface of the carrier is disposed in facing relation and is removably attached to the second major surface of the wound cover, and it has disposed thereon at least one pressure sensitive adhesive. After application of the wound cover to skin for use, the carrier is removable from the wound cover to leave the wound cover adhered to the skin.

Abstract: A composite material 10 for forming custom fitted orthopedic and other products. The composite material is easily formable when heated to temperatures of about two hundred degrees Fahrenheit for a time of at least six to eight minutes and then is rigid at temperatures of about one hundred thirty degrees. The composite material can be sewn and formed in complex shapes when initially heated to about two hundred degrees. Closure attachments 60 can be secured to the composite material as needed on site rather than at the manufacturing facility. The composite material can be custom fitted to a patient in situ.

Abstract: A vertebral decompression device (10) configured to surround a user's trunk, the device comprising: upper support means (12) configured to surround a first portion of the trunk; lower support means (14) configured to surround a second portion of the trunk; and elongation means (16) mounted on the upper support means (12) and the lower support means (14) and configured to exert a separating force on the lower and upper support means tending to move the lower support means away from the upper support means. The device further includes an electronic control system (18) for controlling the elongation means (16) in such a manner as to maintain a determined distraction force on the user's vertebral column.

Abstract: A releasable medical drape, and systems and methods having the same, includes at least a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and a soft-gel layer having a plurality of apertures. The soft-gel layer is configured to be disposed adjacent to a tissue site. A portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends through the plurality of apertures in the soft-gel layer to contact the tissue site. The soft-gel layer forms a good seal with the tissue site and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extending through the plurality of apertures forms a firm—but releasable—coupling with the tissue site.

Abstract: A heating tape and heating pad. In a most general embodiment, the inventive tape includes a first layer of thermally conductive material; a second layer of thermal insulation; and a third layer of exothermic material, sandwiched between the first and second layers. The third layer is constructed with reactants effective to cause an exothermic chemical reaction. In a first embodiment, the invention provides a beverage heating device. In a second embodiment, the invention provides a pipe heating device. The heating pad is implemented with a first layer of thermally conductive material; a second layer of material providing a base; and a third layer of exothermic material, sandwiched between the first and second layers. In the illustrative embodiment, the third layer has a contour effective to create suction whereby the pad adheres to a surface to be heated.

Abstract: Systems, kits, methods of manufacturing, and a sealing member for creating a sealed space are described. The sealing member can include a film layer and a first adhesive layer coupled to the film layer. The sealing member can also include a second adhesive layer coupled to the first adhesive layer. A plurality of apertures may extend through the second adhesive layer. Each aperture can expose at least a portion of the first adhesive layer through the second adhesive layer. A plurality of polymer particles may be disposed in the first adhesive layer. The polymer particles can be configured to dissolve in response to interaction with a switching solution.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site at a limited-access location on a patient includes a reduced-pressure source, a treatment manifold for placing proximate the tissue site and operable to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site, and a sealing member for placing over the tissue site and operable to form a pneumatic seal over the tissue site. The reduced-pressure treatment system also includes a reduced-pressure bridge and a moisture-removing device on at least portion of the reduced-pressure bridge. The reduced-pressure bridge includes a delivery manifold operable to transfer the reduced pressure to the treatment manifold, an encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side, and a reduced-pressure-interface site formed proximate one end of the reduced-pressure bridge.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a hinge assembly, a frame having first and second frame components spaced apart from and connected to one another by the hinge assembly, a strap system extending between medial and lateral sides of the first frame component, and at least one tensioning element. The at least one tensioning element has a first end secured to the strap system and a second end coupled to the hinge assembly. Articulation of the hinge assembly pulls the strap system toward the frontal plane by the at least one tensioning element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of identifying a patient in need of pressure ulcer treatment and treating the patient with clinical intervention selected based on sub-epidermal moisture values. The present disclosure also provides methods of stratifying groups of patients based on pressure ulcer risks and methods of reducing incidence of pressure ulcers in a care facility.

Abstract: An undergarment for use with a cast tape to form a hip spica cast, such as a pantaloon-type hip spica cast, The cast includes at least one layer of a 3D spacer synthetic padding material formed into a fabric of monofilament yams and fabricated into an anatomically correct undergarment structure for being positioned around a torso and residing directly against the skin of a hip spica cast patient. At least one fabric perineal panel is attached to the undergarment in the perineal area of the undergarment and adapted for being positioned on an overlying cast material defining a perineal opening in the cast.

Abstract: A releasable medical drape, and systems and methods having the same, includes at least a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and a soft-gel layer having a plurality of apertures. The soft-gel layer is configured to be disposed adjacent to a tissue site. A portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends through the plurality of apertures in the soft-gel layer to contact the tissue site. The soft-gel layer forms a good seal with the tissue site and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extending through the plurality of apertures forms a firm—but releasable—coupling with the tissue site.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound dressing material comprising a substrate, about 2.5% to about 8% by weight of a bicarbonate, and a film-forming agent, the film-forming agent serving as a binder for said bicarbonate to said substrate, the film-forming agent and the bicarbonate being present in a ratio of between 1:2 and 2:1 with respect to one another. Also disclosed are a method for preparing a wound dressing material and a method for treating a wound.

Abstract: Systems, kits, methods of manufacturing, and a sealing member for creating a sealed space are described. The sealing member can include a film layer and a first adhesive layer coupled to the film layer. The sealing member can also include a second adhesive layer coupled to the first adhesive layer. A plurality of apertures may extend through the second adhesive layer. Each aperture can expose at least a portion of the first adhesive layer through the second adhesive layer. A plurality of polymer particles may be disposed in the first adhesive layer. The polymer particles can be configured to dissolve in response to interaction with a switching solution.

Abstract: A closable compression garment comprises a first end, a second end, and a main body. The first end contains an opening sized and shaped to receive a lower extremity such as a foot, ankle, or leg within an interior portion. The main body contains a closure system which allows for the compression garment to traverse between a first insertion/removal position and a second closed position.

Abstract: An improved lumbosacral wrap is generally provided. In an example, a lumbosacral wrap can include a lumbosacral panel, first and second bilateral panels, and a posterior pad. In certain examples, the lumbosacral wrap can include a wireless transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device selectively supported by the lumbosacral panel or the posterior pad. In certain examples, the wireless TENS device is receivable within a cavity of a user engaging surface of the posterior pad in furtherance of supplementing support and compression of a lumbosacral spine with mobile treatment.

Abstract: An orthotic medical device, including a proximal receiving element receiving part of an upper area of a human limb and a distal receiving element receiving part of a lower area of the human limb. The distal receiving element, with part of the lower limb area are pivotally movable with respect to the proximal receiving element. A foot supporting arrangement is adapted to receive at least a portion of a foot of the human limb, A first ankle joint, is fixedly attached to the foot supporting arrangement and to the distal receiving element on a first, and a second ankle joint arrangement is disposed on a second side and includes a rigid elongated element slidably disposed within a channel in the distal region of the distal receiving element, and an ankle joint fixedly attached to the foot supporting arrangement and to a distal end of the rigid elongated element.

Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed. The orthotic device may be adapted to be inserted into a shoe to enable the foot to replicate normal motion so that the user regains substantially normal operation of the foot. The orthotic device may have a frame system formed of a lightweight supportive material and configured to extend along at least the bottom of the user's foot, and an electronically actuated muscle operatively connected to the frame system for expanding and contracting at predetermined levels to adjust the inclination of the user's foot and mimic movement of the foot, when functioning normally. The orthotic device may also have a controller operatively connected to the muscle for transmitting signals corresponding to the predetermined levels to the muscle, and a sensor controlled by the user for actuating the muscle.