Abstract: A knee orthosis and a method for controlling a knee orthosis including a thigh structure having a fastening structure to be fixed to a thigh, a lower leg structure which is pivotally coupled to the thigh rail using a joint mechanism and has a fastening structure to be fixed to a lower leg as well as a foot piece for supporting a foot, and an actuator device between the thigh structure and the lower leg structure. The fastening points of the actuator on the thigh structure and lower leg structure and the center of rotation of the joint mechanism form a triangle. The fastening points are arranged on the structures such that the connecting line between a fastening point and the center of rotation in an angular position of the knee in which the lower leg is bent at an angle ranging from 0° to 90° relative to the thigh.

Abstract: A vent valve apparatus (10) for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal. The apparatus (10) includes a gas washout vent (15), a vent valve (18) adapted to progressively restrict the flow area of the washout vent (15), and a pressure sensitive vent valve control means (20,22,23). The control means is adapted to progressively cause the vent valve (18) to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent (15) in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply, thereby substantially regulating the volumetric flow of gas and/or CO2 gas through the washout vent (15) over a range of gas supply pressures.

Abstract: This application presents retention devices that afford the user quick and easy placement. These retention devices may accommodate objects of various shapes and sizes. The device provides sturdy means for retaining and securing an object to a surface without the need to handle and position flaps of tape. The device allows easy removal from the retained object without adhesives directly contacting or damaging it sensitive surfaces. The retention described here may be used to quickly secure anatomic structures during operations, such as securing the penis against the abdomen during vasectomy, without causing discomfort or damage to sensitive skin during application or removal.

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: 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: The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for placement of implantable devices adjacent a body lumen. A method of implanting an implantable device at a target site for controllable coaptation of a patient's urethra using an ultrasonic probe inserted into a rectum of the patient comprises inserting a Foley catheter into the urethra, expanding a Foley balloon in the bladder neck, inserting the ultrasonic probe into the rectum of the patient, using the ultrasonic probe to image the urethra and Foley balloon at the bladder neck, placing a small puncture in the perineum, passing a delivery device to the target site under ultra sonic guidance, injecting echogenic fluid at the target site adjacent the urethra, delivering the implantable device to the target site, and adjusting the implantable device to improve coaptation of the urethra.

Abstract: A sterile surgical drape for protecting a robotic surgical system includes an oblong drape of a clear flexible plastic material, which unfolds from a compact packet. From the proximal side of the main panel of the drape there project two pocket flaps, which are separated by a medial trough. The two pocket flaps are configured to slip over one another and together enclose the top of the control tower in an overlapping fashion, such that the robotic manipulator arms extend on either side of the main panel, while the camera/endoscope arm extends through the medial trough. The open ends of the pocket flaps are folded over to form cuffs, wherein a nurse can insert his/her hand to draw the flap over the top of the tower without touching non-sterile surfaces. The unfolding of the main panel is controlled by adhesive tabs or tear strips, so that the bottom of the panel does not engage the cart's wheels or the floor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical safety drapes that are provided with a mechanism for removing fuel sources, trapped under the surgical drape covering the patient during surgery, which support the generation of operating room fires. The drape contains a plenum layer that is sandwiched between a liquid impervious layer and a porous layer. The plenum layer contains hollow members for providing a path way for evacuating vapors there through via the porous layer.

Abstract: The brace includes: a chest plate; a chin support; a rod having a top surface, the rod adjustably attached to the chest plate; and an adjustable linkage connected to the top surface and to the chin support. The brace is used to immobilize a Patient's chin relative to The Patient's spinal column, or The Patient's chest, or both when the Patient's chin is placed upon the chin support.

Abstract: The multipurpose medical wrap serves as a dressing, covering, splint holder, and/or various other emergency medical uses. The wrap includes a central pad having two layers of material defining a plurality of internal pockets therebetween for the insertion of various treatment packs and/or splints therein. The pad includes a relatively soft sheet to protect the area to which it is applied, and a relatively thin, non-insulating sheet that allows the pad to be reversed for use in applying hot and cold packs and the like. An end flap extends from each end of the central pad for additional protection and/or treatment. A plurality of laterally overlapping straps extends from each side of the central pad. Corresponding opposite straps are interwoven to secure the wrap to the body, some straps being used to form a sling and/or torso securing swath when the wrap is used as an arm treatment.

Abstract: A chin strap includes a chin cup, side straps, and rear straps. The chin strap is used to urge the patient's jaw upwards and substantially close the patient's mouth while pressurized breathable gas is delivered to the patient's nose by the mask system.

Abstract: A support tray is equipped with a recess for receiving a medical backboard which has a plurality of medical grade gel pads secured thereto to reduce/eliminate the creation of bed sores. Extender wings can be hooked on the lateral edges of the tray to provide additional surface area for larger patients. Undergirding straps are provided to facilitate transport of the assembly when the wings are being utilized.

Abstract: The current invention is an accommodating apparel or brace. It is intended to be convenient and comfortable. When the brace wearer is at rest, the brace exerts only modest forces against the body. When the brace wearer is active, the brace tightens and diverts load to protect the body part. The brace accommodation may include application of stronger fixation when activity begins and which persists as long as the activity does. It may also include application of forces around the body part to shift load away from the target part. The accommodation also includes relaxation of forces applied to the wearer when the wearer relaxes.

Abstract: A support dressing comprises a conformable material that is capable of conforming to a body part when secured thereto; an adhesive for releasably securing the dressing to said body part; and at least one resilient component that has greater stiffness than the flexible material. It is particularly useful in preventing or reducing undesired torsion, especially of the lower back.

Abstract: A mouth guard that may be used to treat temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is configured to eliminate pressure on an individual's back teeth. Such a mouth guard may also be configured to prevent a subject's lower jaw from moving in a posterior direction, or from “distalization.” Methods for treating TMD include spacing the top teeth at the back of a subject's mouth from the bottom teeth at the back of the subject's mouth without applying pressure to either the top teeth or the bottom teeth.

Abstract: A ring splint that includes a first loop, a second at least partial loop, an elongated support and optionally a third at least partial loop, the first loop and the second at least partial loops being attached to the elongated support such that the elongated support contacts the ventral surface (e.g., palmar or plantar) of a phalange (e.g., finger or toe) when in position on a phalange.

Abstract: The main housing is defined by a large aperture formed in its side. The side aperture provides access to an internal treatment chamber. The user can insert one or both hands into the chamber through the side aperture to provide therapeutic treatment for the skin of the hands. The device has a removable fluid reservoir seatable into the main housing. Fluid from the reservoir is ported to an internal cool mist vaporizor such as a transducer or other misting apparatus. The mist is driven down a mist conduit by user-adjustable airflow. As the mist passes down the mist conduit, it passes a heating element that allows the user to selectively deliver heated or cool vapor into the treatment chamber. The user may utilize water and/or fluid having additives such as extracts, therapeutic medications and essential oils as the raw material for mist formation.

Abstract: A radiation treatment garment includes, in some embodiments, a window having a visually-transparent material for viewing alignment tattoos on a wearer. In some other embodiments, the radiation treatment garment includes a support pouch for receiving and supporting a male wearer's external genitalia, wherein the support pouch is configured to support the external genitalia in a position that is anterior and superior to the natural gravity-induced position. In some further embodiments, the radiation treatment garment includes both the window and the support pouch.

Abstract: A radiation treatment garment includes, in some embodiments, a window having a visually-transparent material for viewing alignment tattoos on a wearer. In some other embodiments, the radiation treatment garment includes a support pouch for receiving and supporting a male wearer's external genitalia, wherein the support pouch is configured to support the external genitalia in a position that is anterior and superior to the natural gravity-induced position. In some further embodiments, the radiation treatment garment includes both the window and the support pouch.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device includes an arched frame configured to be positioned proximate to the occlusal surface of a user's dental arch such that the arched frame extends beyond the cuspids of the user's dental arch. The arched frame defines a plurality of apertures, and the arched frame includes an adjustment mechanism. The dental device further includes a moldable tray coupled to the arched frame. The moldable tray engages the plurality of apertures and includes a channel configured to engage at least some of the teeth of the user's dental arch.