Abstract: A spinal orthosis is provided that includes a cervical section, a lumbar section, a thoracic section and a tensioner. The cervical section has one or more pads configured for placement at a clavicle of a wearer. The lumbar section is connected to the cervical section and has an abdominal Para-umbilical buttress configured for an anterior region of a lumbar spine. The buttress is further configured to provide compression and gripping of the spine. The lumbar section includes one or more digits with a gripping portion at around ribs and/or iliac crest of the wearer. The thoracic section is connected to the cervical section. The tensioner connects the lumbar section to the thoracic section.

Abstract: A kit for cooling the blood in the carotid arteries includes a cervical immobilization collar and a cooling element. The cooling element may include a body-facing panel attached on a body-facing surface to a lining layer, an outward-facing panel, and cooling material disposed between the body-facing panel and the outward facing panel. The cooling material may comprise urea and Carbamakool™ in an amount sufficient to produce a temperature of 20° F. to 35° F. within a minute of activation when measured on the body-facing surface of the body-facing panel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a coupling component includes a female component and a male component. The female component includes a main body portion and a coupling aperture. Similarly, the male component includes a main body portion and a coupling member. The coupling member that is mateable with the coupling aperture of the female component to couple the male and female components together. The main body portion of the male component includes a top surface and a relatively planar bottom surface. The coupling member includes a relatively planar top surface and a bottom surface. The relatively planar top surface of the coupling member is offset from the relatively planar bottom surface of the male component. The male and female components are non-releasable from a coupled engagement while under tension via a tension member.

Abstract: A walking apparatus is provided that includes a sole having an adjustable length, the sole comprising a heel portion, a forefoot portion operatively coupled to the heel portion, the forefoot portion configured for adjustment from a first position to at least one other position relative to the heel portion, wherein a length of the sole is configured to adjust from a first length to a second length when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates a gesture sensing module disposed on a substrate. The gesture sensing module includes at least one light emitting unit, at least one light sensor, and a control circuit. The light emitting unit provides a light to illuminate a sensing area, wherein a central optical axis of the light forms an angle with a normal vector of the substrate, and the angle is not equal to 0. The light sensor senses a reflection light which a target in the sensing area reflects the light, and generate a sensing signal according to the reflection light. The control circuit coupled to the light sensor and the light emitting unit determines a traveling direction of the target according to the sensing signal.

Abstract: A kit for containing components for fabricating functional casts, and including a box, and a length of liner for being placed next to the skin of the body part to be immobilized; a moisture-proof package containing a length of cast tape of the type impregnated with a moisture-curable resin that remains in a flexible, comformable state until activated and hardened into a rigid state by exposure to moisture; at least one strap for securing the cast onto the body part being immobilized and a length of adhesive edger material for enclosing raw edges of the hardened cast tape for protecting the skin of the cast wearer from exposure to the cast tape, each of which is contained in the box.

Abstract: A compression wrap for the lumbar spine region includes an elongate longitudinally stretchable belt for wrapping around the lumbar region of a person, a fastening device for securing the belt, a pressure pad extending transverse to the belt longitudinally along the spinous process and extending laterally in the hollow between the para-vertebral spinal muscles for applying support directly to the lumbar spine.

Abstract: Toe cushioning device for protecting a patient's toes. A toe cushion device includes two tubular cushions positioned in a transverse plane on the plantar side of a patient's toes during use. The toe cushion relieves foot or toe pain and conforms to the changing contour of the patient's foot and toes during use.

Abstract: A lumbar-sacral orthosis comprises in combination a first lateral belt portion having a dorsal end portion having two substantially parallel horizontally extending upper and lower slots, the first lateral belt portion having a third slot, a second lateral belt portion having a dorsal end portion having two substantially parallel horizontally extending upper and lower slots, the first lateral belt portion substantially parallel horizontally extending upper and lower slots and the second lateral belt portion substantially parallel horizontally extending upper and lower slots being substantially aligned, a central dorsal portion, the central dorsal portion attached to the first and second lateral belt portions by an upper pin extending from the central dorsal portion through the upper slots, and a lower pin extending from the central dorsal portion through the lower slots, such that the first and second lateral belt portions may be moved with respect to one another.

Abstract: An article useful for atraumatic care and/or closure of wounds, as well as for repairing torn or ripped fabric is provided. The article comprises a substrate having opposing first and second major surfaces, a plurality of raised anchoring members disposed across the first major surface, and an optional adhesive pre-mounted adjacent the second major surface. A separate adhesive could also be used to mount the article to the desired underlying surface to be repaired. The substrate is a flexible and conformal continuous web that can be cut into pieces to custom fit the wound or fabric opening. Using the anchoring members and a thread, the pieces can be drawn together to correspondingly draw the tissue or fabric on either side(s) of the opening together, thereby closing the opening without piercing or suturing/sewing together the underlying tissue or fabric.

Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient involve allowing liquids from the tissue site or a priming fluid to evaporate and exit the dressing through a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane. The dressing is able to process more liquids than would otherwise be possible without evaporation and potentially to create reduced pressure. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An exoskeleton designed to be worn by a user is generally configured to support and transfer the load supported by the head, the neck and/or the torso (shoulders, chest and/or back) of the user down to the ground. The exoskeleton is generally passive and comprises at least three interconnected sections: torso, hip, and leg sections. Each of the sections generally comprises of a plurality of interconnected rigid members which form the load-bearing structure of the exoskeleton. When a user wears the exoskeleton, load normally carried by the head, neck and/or torso of the user is at least partially supported and transferred to the ground by the exoskeleton, thereby reducing the load effectively supported by the user itself. The leg sections of the exoskeleton are designed to ensure that the load-bearing final location is located on the inner side of the feet, in accordance with human biomechanics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wound dressing or the like comprises the steps of a) providing a layer of substrate material; b) extruding a curable hydrophobic gel precursor composition onto that substrate material via one or more mobile applicators; and c) causing or allowing the hydrophobic gel precursor composition to cure to form a hydrophobic gel. Wound dressings or the like that can be manufactured by such a method comprise a layer of substrate material, the wound facing surface of which carries bands of hydrophobic gel that are intermingled in a lattice-like arrangement.

Abstract: An earplug includes a sleeve, a resonance tube, and a tip. The sleeve has a plurality of slits, and the resonance tube is connected between the sleeve and the tip. When the sleeve is pressed to deform, the slits are opened to allow sound to enter the sleeve, and pass through the resonance tube and the tip.

Abstract: A back support device is provided herein. The device is configured to support a portion of a burden or load that would otherwise be borne by a user's spinal column and abdomen. The device includes an upper component that is dimensioned to be worn around the torso of the user, and a lower component that is dimensioned to be worn around the user's hips and waistline. The device further comprises a plurality of medial elements. Each medial element is operatively connected to the upper and lower components so that each medial element may support a portion of the burden, thereby transferring the burden from the upper component to the lower component. The medial elements provide support and simultaneous freedom of movement by providing a lifting distraction support upon the spinal column and abdomen.

Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed having a frame system, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The frame system may include a lightweight supportive material, and may be configured to receive a user's foot. The first actuator may be coupled to the frame system, and may be configured to activate and develop push of the forefoot of the user's foot during a walking step. The second actuator may be coupled to the frame system, and may be configured to activate and raise a user's toes.

Abstract: An operation support device having a surgical instrument unit and a surgical instrument unit support section, includes: an intermediate member connected to the surgical instrument support section and configured to hold the surgical instrument unit; a shielding member having a hole portion engaged with the intermediate member; and a driving force supply unit installed at the surgical instrument support section. A first space and a second space are formed by an assembly constituted by the shielding member and the intermediate member engaged with the hole portion as a boundary. The intermediate member is connected to the surgical instrument support section at a side of the first space, and holds the surgical instrument unit at a side of the second space. The driving force supply unit and the surgical instrument support section are disposed in the first space.

Abstract: Devices and methods for supporting and elevating the pelvis of a patient in a supine position during surgery are disclosed. The device comprises a generally flat main body configured to extend from the patient's lower back to the patient's upper legs, a proximal upper surface with a downward slope towards the proximal end, a distal upper surface with a downward slope towards the distal end, and vertically extending ridges on an upper surface of the device for partially containing one or more portions of the patient's body. In use, the device is positioned on a surgical platform beneath the iliosacral region of the patient.

Abstract: A topical leg gear for enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury. The topical leg gear and kits preferably comprise a flexible sleeve and a lateral foot-ankle buttress, malleolus bone buttresses, and a peroneal longus buttress. The topical leg gear is designed to be worn during periods of physical activity to reduce injury and to train and strengthen the athletes' muscles against injury, advantageously increasing proprioception, neuromuscular communication or both by stimulating critical sensory and tactile receptors in the leg, foot, and ankle. Performance can be enhanced and risk of injury reduced by use of the topical leg gear through isolating, activating, and training muscles to stimulate a stretch reflex, reduce latency in muscle spindles, and speed up a reaction time of muscles by reducing delay in muscle reaction times.

Abstract: A method for providing abduction and adduction adjustment in a hip orthosis, comprises the steps of: providing a hip orthosis having a hip plate with a pad, and a first strut coupling at a hinge to a second strut received by the hip plate; providing the first strut with an anatomical curvature; providing an intermediate shell carrying a pad slidably engages and engaging the first strut; biasing the intermediate shell by the curvature inwardly toward a user; and adjusting an angle between first and second parts of the hinge in a variety of angles, the first and second parts connecting to the first and second struts, respectively.