Abstract: A male condom skin dressing, a kit, and a method of using it. The skin dressing may include a waterproof, generally conically-shaped shell having a base portion and a tip portion, and securing material circumferentially wrapped around at least the base portion of the shell to aid in releasably securing the shell. The securing material may be flexible adhesive strips or elastic material.

Abstract: A support device for improving the post-operative recovery experience is provided herein. Methods of using and making such a support device are also disclosed. In various embodiments, the support device and related methods provide physical support to a post-operative patient through targeted distribution of the patient's weight. The device is expandable and/or deformable between a fully-deployed state and a collapsed, partially collapsed, and/or deformed state. In the fully-deployed state, the device is shaped to form a physical barrier that restricts the application of pressure on healing tissue. Such a device is configured to limit undesired post-operative reconfiguration of a healing tissue. The support device of some embodiments is in the form of a support pillow, cushion, seat, mattress, or mattress pad containing a deformity. In some embodiments, the device is patient-specific, molded to have a fully-deployed size and shape which conforms to the expected reconfigured dimensions of a particular patient.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical procedure trays, kits and related methods are provided for use to perform medical procedures that require access to the interior of a bone. The devices, trays and methods allow multiple use of non-sterile medical devices with sterile medical devices for performing medical procedures requiring sterile conditions. A coupler assembly, capable of releasably attaching to a non-sterile medical device at one end and releasably attaching to one or more sterile medical devices at another end, and further comprising a containment bag which allows maintaining sterility of a non-sterile medical device which may be used in conjunction with sterile medical devices and procedures. The devices, trays, kits and methods enable the performance of multiple medical procedures with a single insertion into bone. For example, a vertebral procedure such as a vertebroplasty may be performed along with biopsy and/or bone marrow aspiration procedures, thereby reducing patient trauma and costs.

Abstract: Stereotactic methods are routinely used in neurosurgery for operations such as the aspiration of brain cysts, tumor biopsies and more recently to implant electrodes into brain targets. An integral part of this surgery is a mechanical device called a stereotactic frame (10) that has head holding clamps and bars which puts the head in a fixed position in reference to the coordinate system. Various methods of accurately aligning the frame have been used but a novel device and method are proposed that over-come at least some of the shortcomings of these current techniques. There is disclosed a removable frame attachment (30) that holds the frame in position but allows for fine adjustment, allowing a single operator to quickly and accurately position the frame. The attachment can be removed before surgery without moving the set position of the frame. The device comprises two or more arms (31,32) each arm being coupled to another at a point of intersection.

Abstract: A padding assembly has two bridging segments and a base pad. The base pad is attachable to an orthopedic brace while the first bridging segment is releasably attached to a mounting substrate on the base pad and the other bridging segment is releasably attached to the same mounting substrate or to another mounting substrate on the brace. The attached bridging segments are spaced apart from one another and the resulting space between them, termed a wound bridge area, has a thickness substantially less than that of the padding assembly at the first bridging segment or that of the other bridging segment.

Abstract: A method includes placing a patient's foot in a boot comprising a cam buckle, a pad, and a retention strap. The retention strap is placed over the top of the foot, and the pad is arranged relative to the top of the foot. Pressing on the pad positions the foot within the boot. While pressing on the pad, tension is applied on the retention strap to advance the retention strap through the cam buckle. The cam buckle is configured to automatically limit movement of the retention strap through the cam buckle when tension on the retention strap is released. Tension on the retention strap is released to cause the cam buckle to impede the retention strap from receding through the cam buckle.

Abstract: An orthosis support is disclosed that includes a belt having a connector to close the belt in a continuous loop, a belt attachment member receiving the belt, and a strap extending from the belt attachment member. The strap has a first end and a second end and is closable as a loop with at least one of the first and second ends releasably connectable to the strap itself.

Abstract: A tightening system and method for operating the same in an article for a wearer includes first and second members arranged for being connected at first ends, and separated by a distance at second ends. A tension element connects the first and second members. A tensioning mechanism is mounted on the first member and coupled to the tension element. The tensioning mechanism includes a housing and a retractable and extendable line arranged to be extended from the housing and automatically retract to the housing upon release of the line to permit one-way incremental winding of the tension element to thereby draw the first and second members closer to one another by reducing the distance therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal and being effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep, advantageously while not interfering with normal functioning of the epiglottis. Preferably, the appliance is non-circumferential in form and includes rounded, spaced apart end portions.

Abstract: A controller is operable to selectively supply gas to, and evacuate gas from, regions of a hyperbaric wound treatment chamber. The controller operates to inflate a passage or rib of the device to provide that the device is made sufficiently rigid for inserting a limb therethrough, and inflate an inflatable cuff to create a seal against the limb. The controller also operates to evacuate ambient air trapped within the chamber, and optionally partially evacuate the passage or rib, after the seal is created by the inflatable cuff, and then introduce oxygen into the chamber, and optionally inflate the passage or rib. The cuff, when inflated and creating a seal against a limb, optionally is at least partially within the chamber, and the treatment gas is supplied to the chamber to maintain the seal of the cuff against the limb.

Abstract: A protective shield is removably mounted over an orthodontic appliance in a user's mouth and includes an outer resilient compressible material layer joined to an inner adhesive layer. The shield is flexible for easy installation over all exposed surfaces of the orthodontic appliance; but is removable after a period of use. The outer resilient material layer of the shield can be formed of closed cell foam or a gelatinous material.

Abstract: An intra-oral dental appliance for treatment of sleep disorders including snoring, sleep apnea and nocturnal bruxism. The appliance includes an upper member conforming to the patient's maxillary dentition; a lower member conforming to the patient's mandibular dentition; and a connecting assembly for adjustably coupling the upper and lower members together. The connecting assembly includes a first element mounted on the upper member, the first element having a cavity therein; a second element mounted on the lower member; and a connector having a first end captured within the cavity and a second end adjustably connectable to the second element. The connecting assembly maintains the lower member in a protruded position relative to the upper member to maintain the patency of the user's pharnygeal airway while permitting anterior and lateral movement of the lower member relative to the upper member in the protruded position.

Abstract: An adjustable cervical collar designed to accommodate a broad range of prospective wearers with unique physical attributes, and to restrict the movements of the wearer's cervical spine, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The cervical collar includes a front portion and back portion, which may be adjusted in relation to one other to vary the circumference of the cervical collar. The front portion includes upper and lower plastic portions which may be adjusted to vary the height of the cervical collar, and a front thoracic extender which may be adjusted to achieve a desired restrictiveness of flexion movement. The back portion includes occipital and back thoracic extenders which may be adjusted to achieve a desired restrictiveness of extension movement. The adjustable features may be operated independently of one another. The adjustable features include locking means to ensure that the cervical collar is securely applied to the wearer.

Abstract: A wrappable sterile radiation shield drape, a wrappable sterile radiation shield drape in combination with a radiation shield, and a method of providing a sterile surface about a suspended radiation shield is provided. The drape includes a flexible wall having a sterilized outer surface. The wall has opposite side edges extending between upper and lower ends. The upper end has an everted portion providing an inverted pocket. The wall includes an upper fastener adjacent its upper end. The upper fastener is configured to releasably fix the upper end of the wall relative to the radiation shield. The wall further includes an edge fastener adjacent at least one of its side edges. The edge fastener is configured for releasable attachment adjacent the opposite side edge to releasably maintain the wall in a wrapped configuration about the radiation shield with the side edges being releasably maintained in overlapping relation with one another.

Abstract: A comfortable mouth guard for upper teeth of a wearer which does not interfere with ability to speak or breath is described wherein at least 70% of the lingual side of the anterior teeth are uncovered. In some embodiments soft inserts increase the thickness of the posterior portions, and in some embodiments a hard insert provides increased protection of the anterior teeth. The hard insert can be used in mouth guards whether or not they include the comfort feature.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for placement on a support surface between the support surface and a living being, wherein the living being has a bony prominence. The apparatus includes a first zone having a first coefficient of friction, the first zone being configured for positioning proximate the bony prominence. A second zone is adjacent the first zone, the second zone having a second coefficient of friction higher than the first coefficient of friction. The second zone is configured for positioning remote from the bony prominence. A method of preventing or healing decubitus ulcers includes positioning the bony prominence over the first zone and positioning an area remote from the bony prominence over the second zone.

Abstract: The present invention includes an orthotic brace which offers advantages in being able to be adjusted to fit the small of the back of a specific wearer, and may attain an infinite number of positions within its range of motion, while providing effective reinforced lumbar support.

Abstract: An adjustable and controllable device for treating ingrown nail comprises a releasing portion adapted to be connected to the ingrown nail plate surface and an adjustable portion adapted to exert changeable force on the releasing portion so as to elevate portions of the nail plate surface. The force that is exerted can be mechanical, magnetic, piezoelectric or any other force. A method is also provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a knee brace comprises: an upper brace positioned at a thigh region of a wearer when the knee brace is worn; a lower brace positioned at a shin region of the wearer when the knee brace is worn; and a reciprocal hinge connecting the upper brace to the lower brace such that the lower brace is rotatable with respect to the upper brace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating breathing using a mechanical breathing gas ventilator is presented. The patient effort is deduced from a measured flow signal and analyzed with respect to the energy in the breathing system comprising the mechanical ventilator and the patient. When a predetermined energy threshold has been reached the ventilator responds to the breathing pattern change.