Abstract: Various implementations include a wearable foot garment that includes a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and an ankle portion. The midfoot portion includes two high compression zones and a reduced compression zone between the high compression zones. The first high compression zone is configured for providing compression in a radially inward direction toward the wearer's foot adjacent a proximal end of the wearer's plantar aponeurosis. The second high compression zone is configured for providing compression in a radially inward direction toward the wearer's foot adjacent distal ends of metatarsals of the wearer. The compressive strength in the high compression zones is greater than the compressive strength in the reduced compression zone. In some implementations, the ankle portion and midfoot portion define a heel opening, and the forefoot portion includes a plantar surface area on which an adhesive film is disposed for increasing the friction contact of the forefoot portion.

Abstract: A cervicothoracic spine restorator is disclosed. In the cervicothoracic spine restorator, a fixing structure is further included, such that relaxation of muscles such as pectoralis major muscle, pectoralis minor muscle, rectus abdominis muscle, and trapezius muscle or latissimus dorsi muscle can be easily performed. Further, the blood vessel may be expanded and the blood may be supplied smoothly to the head. This may help recovery and correction during a short correction period. There is an advantage that a separate correction mechanism, which is used for spine correction such as a abdomen band, is unnecessary.

Abstract: An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for the placement of an IUD within the uterine cavity of a female patient. The everting balloon system with IUD can be used to access a uterine cavity at specific locations in the fundus. A one-handed IUD delivery system for placement with an everting catheter is disclosed. An IUD loading system for placement within an everting catheter is disclosed. The everting catheter with an IUD can simplify the process of IUD placement within the uterine cavity.

Abstract: A toe protection assembly for inhibiting toes in a foot cast from being stubbed includes a basal strap that is positionable beneath a foot cast. A top strap is pivotally coupled to the basal strap such that the top strap can be extended over the foot cast when the basal strap is positioned beneath the foot cast. A ratchet strap is pivotally coupled to the basal strap such that the ratchet strap can be extended over the foot cast when the basal strap is positioned beneath the foot cast. A ratchet is coupled to the ratchet strap and the ratchet tightens the top strap across the foot cast. A barrier is coupled to the basal strap and the barrier extends across toes on a foot that is positioned in the foot cast. Moreover, the barrier is comprised of a rigid material to inhibit the toes from being stubbed during walking with the foot cast.

Abstract: Disclosed are an inserter and an inserter kit for an intrauterine system. The inserter comprises an insertion tube having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end is operable to removably receive the intrauterine system and a handle having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, the first end portion of the handle is coupled to the second end of the insertion tube. The handle comprises a handling mechanism for controlling movement of the insertion tube with respect to the intrauterine system. The inserter also comprises an indicating mechanism operatively arranged in connection with the insertion tube and the handle, the indicating mechanism is communicably coupled to the handling mechanism and is operable to provide indicative signals corresponding to operational stages of the inserter. The indicative signals comprise at least one light signal and the indicating mechanism comprises a power source.

Abstract: A brace including (i) two or more supports configured to contact body parts on opposite sides or ends of one or more joints when the brace is in use and (ii) one or more force application mechanisms that apply a controllable force to the supports in opposite directions to alleviate compression in the one or more joints is disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the brace and of alleviating compression in one or more joints using the brace are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oral weight control device that inhibits the mastication and swallowing of food is provided. The oral weight control device is a dental appliance that includes upper and lower retainers, where each retainer covers the lingual, palatal and buccal side of the teeth to inhibit mastication of food. The dental appliance further includes left and right flexible food barriers extending from the upper retainer to the lower retainer on the lingual side of the teeth to prevent food that a user may attempt to masticate between the upper and lower retainers from being passed to the tongue of the user to ingest. The upper and lower retainers may be customized to fit on each user and may cover all the upper and lower teeth of the wearer on the lingual, palatal and buccal sides of the teeth. The retainers may be removable or semi-permanently secured to the teeth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing traction to the lower back, where in one embodiment, a lumbar traction device has a back support, a base and a movable support structure connected between the base and the underside of the back support. The support structure enables the back support to move with respect to the base. When a user lies on the lumbar traction device, the user's weight causes the back support to move with respect to the base to apply tension to the user's back. The back support may have two separate portions on which the upper and lower back rest. The two portions of the back support move in opposite directions to provide traction on the back.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot includes a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot, a mechanically adjustable ramp insert including a ramp surface and disposed in the housing, and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface. The mechanically adjustable ramp insert includes a base, a threaded shaft secured to the adjusting mechanism at a first end and configured to rotate with the adjusting mechanism, a first slider nut including internal threads, a bracket in physical contact with the ramp surface, a first support coupled to the first slider nut at a first end and to the bracket at a second end, and a second support coupled to the base at a first end and to the bracket at a second end.

Abstract: A multi-layer pre-drape apparatus is applied to a patient before the patient is moved into the operating room. The multi-layer pre-drape apparatus includes a lower layer with a center aperture and an upper layer that covers the aperture. The multi-layer pre-drape apparatus can be placed on a sterilized area of the patient to maintain the cleanliness of the incision area. Alternatively, the multi-layer pre-drape apparatus can be placed on the patient and sterilization fluid can be applied to the skin of the patient through the aperture. The patient can then be moved into the operating room and the upper layer of the multi-layer pre-drape can be removed to expose the sterilized area of the patient in the aperture. Additional drapes can be added to the pre-drape apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus that controls the rotation of an operative limb during shoulder surgery is composed of three parts: 1) a mechanism that is part of the durable apparatus, and which allows the limb to be suspended from the system and traction weights applied, but is configured in such a manner that the cable or other connecting member does not rotate about its axis; 2) a sterile connector that acts as the interface between the non-sterile durable apparatus and a sterile patient-contacting disposable drape; and 3) the disposable drape which is secured to the patient's operative arm. One of the sterile connector and the disposable drape contains a feature that allows the physician to rotate and hold the limb in any desired position, without requiring that it be manually held in place.

Abstract: A cervical collar has a height adjustment system between upper and lower parts forming an anterior component for increasing height of the anterior component inclusive of a tracheal opening. The anterior component is arranged to permit the use of known mandibular and occipital supports in the cervical collar to maintain their functionality, comfort and fit, including their anatomical contours and connection to the height adjusted anterior component.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is defined that includes a patient support having one or more pads for supporting a patient's torso and hip in a generally horizontal orientation. At least one, elongated leg support extends from the patient support. The leg support is movable through a generally horizontal plane. A portion of the leg support is declinable and inclinable from the horizontal plane. A traction device is connected to the leg support. The traction device is attachable to a patient's leg and operable to exert a traction force on the patient's leg along an axis of the traction device. The traction device is connected to the leg support by a slide assembly and the traction device can be secured stationary relative to the leg support or the traction device can slide relative to the leg support.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a garment for improving body posture that is lightweight, comfortable, discrete, adjustable, and easy to use, while requiring very little material with a low manufacturing cost. The present invention has scapular straps that are made of elastic fabric. One end of the scapular straps connect to a hook-and-loop panel near the waistline on the front of the garment, and the other end of the scapular straps connect to the back of the garment near the shoulder region. The invention has neither an elastic waist band, shoulder pads, nor straps that surround the shoulder and the arm. Since there are no straps surrounding the shoulder, the invention not only allows shorter straps to be used, but also prevents any seams from showing on the front of the garment. This allows the wearer to discreetly wear the posture correcting garment.

Abstract: A technique of forming a joint employing laminar sheeting is provided. At least a portion of the laminar sheeting includes a material that is substantially artifact-free such that the joint causes little imaging artifacts when medically imaged over at least a portion of the laminar sheeting including the rotational axis of said joint, which is at least useful for variable angular articulation of at least one anatomic supporting member joined to the joint and the normal anatomic positioning of at least one anatomic supporting member during normal anatomic positioning use.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-containing hydrogels for dressing wounds, comprising a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer having a polyvalent alcohol, except propylene glycol.

Abstract: An orthopedic support and/or treatment system including a brace or sleeve comprising a power subsystem; a sensor subsystem; an adjustment mechanism; a software subsystem; a communication subsystem; and a telemedicine subsystem. The orthopedic treatment system includes and communicates over a network to a remote controlling device. The remote control device can be a computer, a mobile device, or any other controller. The sensor subsystem communicates to the remote control device, which in turn can be used to control the adjustment mechanism to adjust a tension or compression of the brace or sleeve.

Abstract: A mouth guard has an interchangeable faceplate, an internal cushioning skeletal structure in the form of an interlocking lattice structure of reinforcing ribs, and securing wedges for securing the mouth guard to the upper teeth of a user.

Abstract: A system for supporting and manipulating a leg of a patient, the system including a base configured to be releasably secured to the ground, a first elongate guide rail coupled to the base, wherein the first elongate guide rail has a longitudinal axis, a boot moveably coupled to the first elongate guide rail, wherein the boot is configured to receive and retain at least a portion of a foot of the patient, a drape hanger assembly coupled to the base and configured to support a drape, wherein the drape hanger assembly includes a pair of drape hangers oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first elongate guide rail, wherein the pair of drape hangers are disposed on opposite sides of the first elongate guide rail in top view, and a drape attached to each drape hanger and positioned between the boot and the first elongate guide rail.

Abstract: An integrated thermoformable splint and heater and method for manufacturing same includes a thermoplastic material and an oxygen activated heater operatively associated with the thermoplastic material. The integrated thermoformable splint and heater are sealed within an oxygen impermeable housing. Oxygen is allowed to activate the heater either by removing the assembly from the sealed housing, or, by displacement of a removable seal that will allow oxygen to penetrate a porous region in the housing, and, in turn, come into contact with the heater.