Abstract: A modular joint brace assembly comprising a brace and a wedge is disclosed. The brace comprises a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a first mating unit coupled to a top surface of the brace. The first mating unit comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The wedge comprises a first top surface, a second top surface, and a peak, wherein the first top surface adjoins the second top surface to form the peak; and a second mating unit coupled to the first top surface and the second top surface, wherein the second mating unit is adapted to couple with the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the first mating unit such that the peak of the wedge aligns with a back portion of a user's joint thereby supporting at least one or more portions of the user's body.

Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device comprising an upper panel (18), a central panel (16), and a lower panel (20), the central panel (16) being separated from each of the upper and lower panels (18) by a first and second fold (36), seam, weld (76) or bond, respectively, such that device is capable of being folded flat for storage along the first and second fold (36), seam, weld (76) or bond and opened to form a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use, wherein the lower panel (20) has a graspable tab (32) attached to an interior portion of an external surface of the lower panel (20), the tab (32) being graspable in use to open the device.

Abstract: An adjustable hearing protection device is provided for arranging in or on the ear. The hearing protection device includes a housing with an acoustic entrance opening, an insertion part for inserting into an auditory canal of the ear extending from the housing with an acoustic exit opening oriented toward the interior of the auditory canal, and adjusting means for adjusting the hearing protection device to one of at least two acoustic adjustment positions. Each acoustic adjustment position sets one of a number of acoustic couplings between the entrance opening and the exit opening.

Abstract: A method for securing an orthopaedic device to a body part of a wearer, having a device that includes a base body, from which at least one deflection element with a contact surface protrudes at least one belt and at least one securing element, and included positioning the orthopaedic device on the body part, placing the belt onto the contact surface of the deflection element and fastening the belt on the securing element.

Abstract: A hinge which can be included on a brace is disclosed. The hinge can include a first arm, a second arm, and a hinge plate. The first and second arms can be connected to the hinge plate for rotation about first and second axes, respectively. The hinge plate can include an internally threaded aperture. The hinge can also include a force application assembly and an adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly can include an externally threaded lead screw engaged with the internally threaded aperture, and having a medial end connected to the force application assembly and a keyed bore. The adjustment assembly can include a drive key having a keyed shaft slidingly engaged with the keyed bore and a knob connected to the drive key such that rotation of the knob causes displacement of the force application assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilizing rod (10) for an orthopedic aid, the stabilizing rod (101) having in the longitudinal direction a first section (110) and a second section (120), the first section (110) and the second section (120) being connected to each other via a third, flexible section (130). According to the invention, the third, flexible section (130) has at least one material cut-out (131).

Abstract: A lacing system for an article may include a tensioning mechanism, a plurality of guide members, and a lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routed along a lace path of the article via the plurality of guide members. The lace is routed along the lace path so that a first portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a top end of the lace path and so that a second portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a position that is adjacent a bottom end of the lace path. Tensioning of the lace, via the tensioning mechanism, causes the top end of the lace path and the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path to be initially tensioned.

Abstract: A surgical drape includes at least one deployment member connected with draping movable between a non-deployed orientation and a deployed orientation to define a sterile region about a body disposed with a surgical table. The draping includes a first draping and a second draping. A sleeve includes a seal connectable with a selected surface of the body. The sleeve is connectable between the first draping and the second draping to define a sterile passageway including the selected surface. Surgical instruments, systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved orthosis system for stabilizing an ankle and a foot of a user against undesired orientations and having a calf brace and a foot brace. The system uses first and second risers coupled to a foot section using a construction and configuration whereby the more the risers are deflected relative to the foot section, the more the system bias the risers toward their initial orientation relative to the foot section. To increase lateral stability, the first riser curves forward around at least a portion of a lateral malleolus of a user's ankle, while the second riser curves rearward and around at least a portion of a medial malleolus of the user's ankle. To increase forward and rearward stability, the foot section extends across at least half the length of the sole of a user's foot.

Abstract: In some cases, a wound dressing comprises a substantially flexible substrate with a first, wound-facing side supporting a plurality of electronic components and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of perforations formed though the substrate and wherein the plurality of perforations comprise walls on the exterior surface of the plurality of perforations, a first substantially stretchable coating applied to the first side of the substrate, and a second substantially stretchable coating applied to second side of the substrate, wherein the walls of the plurality of perforations are at least partially coated with at least one of the coatings.

Abstract: Wearable assistance devices and methods of operating and using the same are provided. A wearable assistance device includes a first body interface and a second body interface. The assistance device also includes one or more elastic members operatively coupling the first body interface to the second body interface and extending along a body segment (e.g., back, elbow, knee, etc.) of the user so as to provide an assistive force to or assistive torque about the body segment or another body segment. The assistance device further includes a clutch mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the one or more elastic members, the clutch mechanism configured to selectively adjust the assistive force or assistive torque provided by the one or more elastic members to/about the body segment or the another body segment.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an oropharynx appliance that includes passive tongue retention structure having an end portion adapted to prevent a pharyngeal portion of a tongue of a subject from collapsing; and at least one anchoring structure that is connected to the passive tongue retention structure and adapted to secure the passive tongue retention structure to at least one tooth/mandible of the subject in a removable fashion. The passive tongue retention structure is sized and dimensioned so that the end portion prevents the posterior pharyngeal portion of the tongue from obstructing an oropharynx during sleep, without triggering a gag reflex, while still permitting the tongue to move during swallowing.

Abstract: A mandibular advancement device to adjust a lower jaw in an advanced position with respect to an upper jaw of a user includes a maxillary splint with a first and second splint body end portion and a splint bridge portion and further a mandibular splint which is coupled to the maxillary splint by a positioning structure. The device also incldues an electronics module which is subdivided into a first set of electronic components which is positioned at the first splint body end portion and a second set of electronic components which is positioned at the second splint body end portion. The spaced sets at both ends of the maxillary splint are electronically interconnected to form the electronics module. Herewith, the device has a smooth and compact configuration which is convenient to wear for several hours during a sleep therapy.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an air filter, and in particular, the present invention relates to an air filter with a porous copper layer, having natural antimicrobial property, for improving the quality of air breathed in by people.

Abstract: A device for the mandibular advancement, a process for making an appliance for the mandibular advancement and the appliance realized. The device includes a first engagement element associable with the lower dental arch or mandible and a second engagement element associable with the upper dental arch or maxilla. The engagement elements are provided with a first inclined engagement surface and a second inclined engagement surface for determining said mandibular advancement. The first engagement element includes a core covered by a covering body provided with a pocket adapted to the housing of the core, the second engagement element includes an orthodontic screw adapted to determine the displacement of the second inclined plane, the core having an inclined portion destined to define, in cooperation with the respective covering, the first inclined engagement surface.

Abstract: An appendage pressurization device includes an appendage strap and one or more artificial muscles disposed in the appendage strap and communicatively coupled to a controller. Each artificial muscle includes a housing comprising an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair comprising a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing, wherein the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: A device includes a shell including a proximal end and a distal end of the shell. The device also includes a plunger within the shell. The plunger can include a flexible stop at a proximal end of the plunger and a distal end. The device can further include an absorptive unit configured to absorb fluid within a vaginal cavity. The absorptive unit can be affixed to the distal end of the plunger. The absorptive unit can include an absorptive element affixed to a frame structure configurable to reversibly transition between a compressed and uncompressed configuration. The absorptive unit can also include a tether coupled to the absorptive unit via the frame structure. The tether can extend through the proximal end of the plunger. Related methods of use are also described.

Abstract: Mandibular repositioning devices have a maxillary piece with a right side backmost teeth mold and/or left side backmost teeth mold and a driver flange having an anterior side with a convex curvature protruding from one or both thereof. The devices have a mandibular piece with a protrusive flange extending cranially therefrom positioned to have a posterior side engaged with the anterior side of each driver flange and with a plateau of a preselected height between the base of the protrusive flange and the tooth covering. The posterior side of each protrusive flange has a concave-to-convex curvature from a base of the protrusive flange toward a most cranial point of the protrusive flange and a convex portion of the concave-to convex curvature engages the convex curvature of the driver flange in a rest position. The plateau prevents disconnect between each protrusive flange and a respective driver flange.

Abstract: The dental splatter shield is a guard. The dental splatter shield comprises a guard plate, a finger ring plate, a finger ring structure, a plate cant, a caregiver, and a patient. The caregiver provides therapeutic dental services to the patient. The guard plate, the finger ring plate, and the finger ring structure are combined to form a structure that is worn by a caregiver. The plate cant is a cant formed between the guard plate and the finger ring plate. The structure formed by the guard plate, the finger ring plate, and the finger ring structure forms a fluid impermeable barrier that created a protected space that prevents the caregiver and the patient from exchanging biological fluids.

Abstract: In some cases, a wound dressing includes a substantially flexible substrate with a first, wound-facing side supporting a plurality of electronic components and a second side opposite the first side, a wicking layer in contact with the second side of the substrate, the wicking layer configured to facilitate passage of fluid, a substantially non-stretchable coating applied to at least some of the plurality of electronic components, a substantially stretchable coating applied to the first side of the substrate, the stretchable coating applied over the substantially non-stretchable coating, a wound contact layer in contact with the stretchable coating, the wound contact layer configured to adhere to a wound, and a protective layer applied to the wound contact layer, the protective layer configured to be removed to expose the wound contact layer. In some cases, a method of manufacturing the wound dressing.