Abstract: A tool, such as a respirator or gas mask, is provided. The respirator includes a body, a filter, an upper and lower strap, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism enables quick-release for fitting and/or adjusting the respirator on a user's head or face. In various embodiments, inelastic and elastic properties of the straps and/or a cord in the entwined region of the locking mechanism enhance the quick-release fit and adjustment of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilizing rod (99, 101) for an orthopedic aid, the stabilizing rod (99, 101) having a bending section (130) in the longitudinal direction, the bending section (130) having at least one mesh belt structure (131).

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods of treating subjects with wounds. Compositions include dressings comprising a sheet and an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is adhered to the sheet, and wherein the sheet has channels. In some embodiments, the channels comprise two different classes of channels (e.g. liquid channels and air channels). These dressing can be applied to various kinds of skin injuries and remain affixed, protecting the injury from contaminants and at the same time, allowing exchange of exudates on the proximal (injury) side to the distal side and exchange of topical agents applied from the distal side of the dressing to the wound while also allowing exchange of gasses from the injury to the air and air to the wound.

Abstract: An interface dressing (1) comprising an elastomeric matrix (5), the elastomeric matrix (5) being provided with a plurality of through-holes (6), each through-hole (6) having a contour (C) around a central axis (A), in which at least some of the plurality of through-holes (6) are arranged so as to form at least one pattern in which each through-hole (6) is adjacent to at least one other through-hole (6), the adjacent through-holes (6) having contours (C), images of which, when moved in translation in a plane perpendicular to the central axes (A) in order to merge images of said central axes (A) by means of said translational movement, do not become superposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inserter for an intrauterine system, comprising a handle (1,11), an insertion tube (4) having a longitudinal direction and connected to the handle, and a plunger (3) arranged inside the insertion tube. The inserter also comprises a force sensor (6, 5 9) arranged between the insertion tube and the handle. The insertion tube is partially arranged inside the force sensor in such a manner that when force is exerted on the insertion tube along its longitudinal direction, the insertion tube is arranged to move with respect to the force sensor.

Abstract: A mouthpiece has an upper guard having a first mold layer and a first shell layer. The upper guard has an arcuate shape between a first end on a first side and a second end on a second side. The mouthpiece also has a lower guard having a second mold layer and a second shell layer. The lower guard has arcuate shape between a third end on a third side and a fourth end on a fourth side. Connectors couple the ends of the upper guard to the ends of the lower guard. The first and second mold layer are a flexible material and the first and second shell layer are a relatively rigid material.

Abstract: A system of contactless adhesive bandages is taught that are customizable to extend and cover, but not touch, wounds that are long and/or curving. The system of contactless adhesive bandages comprises one or more sectional raised adhesive bandages sealed off at the ends of runs by end sectional raised adhesive bandages. The system of contactless adhesive bandages is preferably applied contiguously in an overlapping fashion to follow the contours of the wound. A raised adhesive bandage is taught that covers but does not contact the wound. The raised adhesive bandage comprises a strip having an upper surface and a lower surface. An adhesive is at least partially disposed on the lower surface. A pad is disposed on the adhesive and/or lower surface. Raised edges are disposed on the pad creating a hollowed-out area. Raised edges are dimensioned such that they and the pad are not in contact with the wound.

Abstract: An orthopedic walker or walking boot has a body formed from at least one polymeric material. The body defines an upper receiving section, a lower receiving section, and a footbed. The upper receiving section includes first and second portions divided by a median plane of the orthopedic walker, and are arranged to individually articulate about or from the median plane to expand or retract a variable distance between the first and second portions of the upper receiving section along one of anterior or posterior sides of the body. The body may consist of the upper receiving section, the lower receiving section, and the footbed as a continuous structure formed unitarily from the expanded thermoplastic.

Abstract: An auxiliary support apparatus includes a bearing member and a wear member, wherein the bearing member is used to support the user's head, the wear member includes a wear body extended from the bearing member downwardly while the bearing member is adjustably connected to the wear body.

Abstract: A moment arm extension system and method for improving the mechanical advantage of a wearable assistance device by increasing the moment arm of a force-bearing member relative to an underlying body segment of a user are disclosed. The moment arm extension system achieves this by shifting the force-bearing member to lie farther away from the body segment of the user.

Abstract: A brace for preventing injuries to annular pulley ligaments in fingers of human hands includes a proximal band dimensioned to be worn on a proximal phalanx of a finger, a distal band dimensioned to be worn on a middle phalanx, and a coupling attached to the bands. The band may be worn in position overlying an annular pulley ligament of the fingers. The coupling may bias the bands away from each other to promote retention over the annular pulley ligaments. The coupling may limit movement of bands (and thus finger) to a predetermined range of motion for avoiding tearing of the annular pulley ligament. The coupling may provide a mechanical stop limiting movement to positions in which annular pulley injuries are less likely. The coupling may be provided as a gas-pressurized struts or compressible coil springs, which may be mounted to the bands in diametrically opposed positions.

Abstract: Disclosed are asymmetrical splints for a mandibular advancement device (MAD) for use with a patient having an asymmetrical dentition, wherein the asymmetry of the splint complements the asymmetry of the dentition such that when the MAD is used to advance the mandible, the mandible is advanced symmetrically. Also disclosed are methods of manufacture and use of the splints.

Abstract: An oral appliance that is placed in a user's mouth. An upper tray is designed to engage with a user's maxillary teeth, and a lower tray is designed to engage with a user's mandibular teeth. Thermal impression material may be designed into at least one of the trays to engage the upper and lower dentition. Two side straps mechanisms are designed to connect the upper and lower trays, and may provide forward positioning of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw. A ramped lingual shelf may be included on the inside portion of the lower tray, to position a user's tongue forward and upward. The upper tray has an open section in its anterior portion which provides additional space for a forward-positioned tongue. Upper and lower trays may be constructed out of rigid polypropylene or similar materials.

Abstract: A mandibular advancement device (102,302) includes a first brace member (104,304) structured to engage an upper dentition of a user, a second brace member (106,306) structured to engage a lower dentition of a user, and a number of coupling assemblies (108,308) each coupling the first brace member to the second brace member. Each of the number of coupling assemblies includes an actuating element (114,314) structured to automatically adjust a dimension (136,336) of the coupling assembly. The actuating element is selected from the group consisting of a biasing element (114) and a volume responsive material (314).

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an oropharynx appliance that includes passive tongue retention structure (12) having an end portion (16) adapted to prevent a pharyngeal portion of a tongue of a subject from collapsing; and at least one anchoring structure (14, 148) 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: 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: An orthodontic device for the segmental distalization of a posterior jawbone area is disclosed. The orthodontic device comprises a mesial element having a mesial base surface for attachment to a premolar or a canine, a projection for coupling with a traction element, and an arm comprising an elongate transverse pin at a distal end of the arm, and a distal base having a distal base surface configured for attachment to a molar, and a receptacle for receiving the transverse pin. A first axis is defined as being substantially perpendicular to the distal base surface, and the transverse pin has a mesial surface and a distal surface, an interior shape of the receptacle is such that the rotation about the first axis is limited by the mesial and/or distal surface touching against an inside of the receptacle. The disclosure also relates to orthodontic kits.

Abstract: A splint includes a band having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending between the end portions. The splint also includes at least one elongated member formed from a bendable material having at least a middle portion extending axially along the middle portion of the band, a first hook portion bent relative to a longitudinal axis of the band, and a second hook portion bent relative to the longitudinal axis of the band. The splint also includes at least one first perforation positioned in the band to receive the first hook portion and a second perforation in the band positioned to receive the second hook portion for securing the end portions of the band together forming at least one loop sized to support an injured limb and/or appendage of a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cuff for orthotic treatment of joint or muscle pains in the region of joints of the human or animal body, which as a cross cuff has a first cuff part (1) for application on a first body part below the joint and a second cuff part (2) for application on a second body part above the joint, wherein the two cuff parts are joined to one another by means of a connection region (3) and in each case are formed from a belt that is provided with fastening means and may be laid around the respective body part, wherein the connection region (3) between the two cuff parts on placement of the cuff on the body in the region of the inside of the joint impedes extension of the first body part with respect to the second body part, in that the connecting region is displaced under tensile stress. According to the invention, at least one partial region (4) of the second cuff part (2) above the joint is made to be stretchable (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Wearable assistance devices and methods of operating the same are provided. A wearable assistance device includes an upper-body interface with a front side and a rear side and a lower-body interface with a front side and a rear side. The assistance device also includes one or more elastic members, each of the elastic members mechanically coupling the upper-body interface to the lower-body interface and extending from the rear side of the upper-body interface to the rear side of the lower-body interface and along a back of the user so as to provide an assistive force parallel to the back of the user. Further, the assistance device also includes a clutch mechanism associated with each one of the elastic members, the clutch mechanism configured for selectively adjusting the assistive force provided by the one of the elastic members.