Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for loading an intrauterine device (IUD) with a thread or suture engaged therewith into an insertion device. The devices and methods are suitable for use with an automated knot tying system.

Abstract: An improved joint support for limiting the range of motion of an anatomical joint comprises intermeshing gears for allowing adjustment of the range of motion of the joint, and comprises plural mechanisms for securing the gears in engagement with one another, whereby adjustment can be made without tools and without disassembly of any components.

Abstract: An auricular support system can include a substrate and a mold material. The substrate can include a substrate body having a first end and an opposed second end. At least a portion of the first end can be configured to carry an adhesive suitable to attach to a dermal surface. The second end defines at least one void. The mold material can be configured to be applied to both an auricular structure and the second end of the substrate body such that the mold material becomes disposed in the void and molds about the auricular structure. The mold material can be configured to cure after the mold material is applied to the auricular structure and the substrate body so as to support the auricular structure relative to the substrate. The auricular support system can further include an auxiliary support structure configured to attach to the auricular structure.

Abstract: An animal splint for immobilizing a leg of an animal receives the back and sides of the injured leg and is angularly adjustable to the normal angle of the upper and lower part of the injured leg prior to sustaining the leg injury. The splint includes a lower leg assembly, an upper leg assembly, an adjustment member configured for setting the angle between the lower leg assembly and the upper leg assembly, and a leg retaining means that extends across the lower leg open front and the upper leg open front where the lower leg assembly and the upper leg assembly receives the back and sides of the injured leg.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to methods of using an intrauterine system (insertion device) including an intrauterine device (IUD), an insertion device or applicator for inserting the IUD into the cervix of a female patient, methods related to the insertion procedure, and methods of manufacture for the insertion device.

Abstract: An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator, an earpiece having an axial earpiece bore, and a valved conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator and the axial earpiece bore, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.

Abstract: An device for maintaining a moisture cavity surrounding the eye of a user is provided which employs a flexible body configured for positioning on the face of the user with a cavity defined by a curved sidewall positioned in front of each eye of the user. The cavity prevents communication of the exterior atmosphere with the air within the cavity and thereby maintains an environment in each cavity suitable to maintain natural eye moisture. The body is configurable to engage to the face of the user concurrent with the engagement of a CPAP device and may be adapted for engagement as part of the CPAP device. Curved sidewalls forming each cavity are optically correct and transparent to maintain the vision of the user during use.

Abstract: A wound dressing is provided. The wound dressing includes a moisture-transmissible backing layer having a first major surface, a second major surface, and a backing layer perimeter; an absorbent hydrophilic adhesive adhered to at least a portion of the second major surface of the backing layer, the absorbent hydrophilic adhesive comprising an absorbent hydrophilic adhesive perimeter; an antimicrobial agent disposed in the absorbent hydrophilic adhesive; a porous layer having a first side adhered to the absorbent hydrophilic adhesive, a second side, and a porous layer perimeter; and a second hydrophobic adhesive adhered to the second side of the porous layer. The second major surface has a first hydrophobic adhesive disposed thereon proximate the backing layer perimeter. 100% of the absorbent hydrophilic adhesive perimeter is overlapped by the backing layer. At least 50% of the porous layer perimeter is overlapped by the absorbent hydrophilic adhesive.

Abstract: Clothing and methods for providing targeted and staged compression to portions of a lower extremity, such as a leg of a human may include individual pieces of clothing such as socks and the like, or multiple-piece clothing systems functioning together to provide targeted and staged compression to the lower extremity. One or more articles of clothing individually or together have a plurality of targeted compression zones. Each of the compression zones includes a superior portion extending in a generally superior-inferior direction and an inferior portion contiguous with the superior portion and comprising a portion extending in a direction generally crosswise to the generally superior-inferior direction of the superior portion. Other implementations are also described.

Abstract: A sterile hand connection device is used to attach a patient's arm to a cable adaptor of a surgical arm positioning apparatus. The cable adaptor is connected to two cable ends of a cable of the surgical arm positioning apparatus. The hand connection includes a clip, a buckle, and a wrap that is mounted to the clip. The buckle is attached to the cable adaptor and the clip snaps onto the buckle. The hand wrap is mounted to the clip and wraps around a patient's hand, wrist, and forearm.

Abstract: The invention is guiding means that are adapted to serve as guides to accurately locate specific locations on the body to be stimulated in order to prevent, diagnose, and treat specific types of diseases and other conditions in humans and animals. The invention includes specially modified and personalized articles of clothing and an apparatus for supporting an organ of a human or animal body adapted for accurately positioning and orienting the organ with respect to each other a device for administering the stimulation or the healing process. The apparatus and embodiments of the articles of clothing are adapted as stands that support devices used to apply stimulation to the location. The applied stimulation can be any of the therapies which depend on the application of energy or force to specific locations on the body.

Abstract: A knee brace to stabilize the patella has a main body positionable over the knee, a hinged longitudinal support assembly, a buttress, a buttress retention flap overlaying the buttress, a cam positioned proximal to the support assembly and a tensioning line. The buttress is positioned against the side of the knee opposite the support assembly and applies a variable compression force to the knee. The tensioning line engages the cam and operatively connects it to the buttress via the buttress retention flap to automatically vary the compression force applied to the knee in response to rotation of the support assembly.

Abstract: An orthosis joint having a base body which comprises a receptacle for a proximal component, a bearing point for a distal component which is pivotally arranged on the base body, and for stops or spring elements which are acting on the distal component. The orthosis joint also includes at least one receiving element, releasably fastened to the base body and in or on which a functional element that interacts with the distal component is arranged.

Abstract: A knee brace incorporates an upper attachment assembly having an upper cuff with medial and lateral struts extending therefrom and a lower attachment assembly having a lower cuff with lower medial and lateral struts extending therefrom. The upper and lower medial struts are connected proximate a user's knee by a medial hinge assembly and the upper and lower lateral struts are connected proximate the user's knee by a lateral hinge assembly. At least one of the struts includes a mechanism dynamically extending the strut with respect to a rotation point of that strut in the associated hinge upon flexion of the upper and lower attachment assemblies between a flexed position and an extended position.

Abstract: In one aspect, an improved ankle joint device provides two stages of dorsiflexion resistance biasing a first splint member (or other attachment member that follows the angular displacement of a wearer's lower leg or foot) against dorsiflexion movement within an active angular range of dorsiflexion, corresponding to second and third rocker phases of a wearer's gait; in addition to a phase of plantarflexion resistance biasing the first splint/attachment member against plantarflexion movement within an active angular range of plantarflexion, corresponding to a first rocker phase. In another aspect, an equilibrium or neutral angle between a wearer's foot and tibia at which the device applies no biasing forces is adjustable by adjusting the angle at which a second splint/attachment member is fixed relative to a joint body. Typically, the second splint member is secured to a wearer's lower leg, and the first splint member is secured to a wearer's foot.

Abstract: A therapy aid device for improving rotation of shoulder complex is provided. The device includes an upper portion and a lower portion joined together by an angled connector. The upper portion is configured to attach to a user's upper arm and the lower portion is configured to attach to the user's lower arm. The lower portion may also be configured to keep a user's hand in a flexed angled position. Using the device, the user may rotate the shoulder and move while keeping the upper and lower arms and wrist in specific positions. For example, the user may rotate his shoulder such that the user's hand and forearm move away from the torso while the elbow generally remain in the same location.

Abstract: An item of clothing is adapted to be worn against the skin, and comprises at least one panel adapted to provide targeted compression of at least 20% of the total length of a specific surface vein in the body, or adapted to provide targeted compression of at least 20% of a specific plexus of veins, a specific lymphatic plexus, drainage plexus or a collection of lymphatic vessels. The clothing is useful in a method of reducing recovery time in a human or other mammal, after a period of activity and in a method of enhancing performance, in particular sports performance, in a human or other mammal. It may also improve the conditioning of the skin and aid lymphatic drainage, and can be used in the treatment of certain medical conditions.

Abstract: A sleep apnea device includes a bite block, a plurality of receivers coupled to a lingual surface of the bite block, a plurality of transition pieces corresponding to the plurality of receivers. Each transition piece may include a vertical portion coupled to a corresponding receiver of the plurality of receivers, a horizontal portion configured to extend from the vertical portion, and a dam securing member fixed to one of the vertical portion, the horizontal portion, or both the vertical portion and the horizontal portion. The device may also include a plurality of base connectors corresponding to the plurality of transition pieces, a base coupled to the plurality of base connectors, and a resilient dam configured to be releasably secured by each dam securing member of the plurality of transition pieces. A kit including the sleep apnea device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tensioning device for orthoses for supporting and maintaining the function of the human body, particularly body-encompassing back orthoses, allows for an individual, segmental adjustment of the supporting effect through individually, separately designed pulley assemblies which can be attached individually and height-adjustably to a backplate designed as central element.

Abstract: Low profile, contoured footplates that maintain tension in the plantar fascia without causing undue discomfort to the user are suggested for treatment of plantar fasciitis and other heel pain. The footplates may be ambidextrous and thus used to support either the left and right plantar fascia. The footplates can be used in assemblies for securing the footplate to the wearer's foot, as well as systems for iterative treatment of plantar fasciitis and other heel pain.