Abstract: An anklet for a foot orthosis has a one-piece member having a sole portion, opposite side portions each terminating in a flap element, a heel portion and a fastening strap. The sole portion has a pocket to receive the foot portion of the orthosis. A soft liner is attached to the interior surface of the anklet. The fastening strap extends over the overlapped flap elements to reinforce the engaged fastening elements on the interior surface of the straps.

Abstract: A multi-axial external joint used in orthoses construction to provide support and/or limit movement of various joints of the body. In combination as a complete orthosis, a foundation is provided including a girdle section and a separate thigh cuff. A first orthotic joint member is mounted to the girdle section, and a second orthotic joint member is mounted to the thigh cuff. A bearing joins the first and second orthotic joint members for pivotal movement in three dimensions about multiple intersecting axes to support articulation of a human leg about an associated hip joint including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation of the leg. A stop assembly on at least one of the orthotic joint members enables adjustment to limit relative pivotal movement of the orthotic joint members about the pivot point.

Abstract: A flexible compression and stabilizing orthotic for providing sensory input and body awareness to a person suffering from a neurological disorder, autism, proprioceptive and sensory deficits, or hypersensitivity is disclosed. The orthotic is made from a multidirectional stretchable spandex material.

Abstract: An exercise device is provided, which is of simple and inexpensive construction, compact, lightweight, and portable, and allows the user to use his or her own weight to create a form of resistance in performing a variety of exercise routines directed to different muscle groups of the body. The exercise device is comprised of a support platform that carries the user and is pivotally connected to an upper location of a base frame that rests on a flat surface, a lifting bar that is pivotally attached to the base frame, a carrier bar that is adjustably attached to the lifting bar and is also pivotally attached to a lower location of the support platform, wherein upon raising of the lifting bar, the carrier bar is raised, which in turn causes the support platform carrying the user thereon to pivot about its connection to the base frame and be raised. In this manner, the exercise device utilizes the weight of the user as a counterweight resistance to the raising of the lifting arm.

Abstract: An ankle orthotic of substantially resilient material is provided comprised of a heel portion, an ankle support portion, and a talofibular support portion. The heel portion is substantially rigid and form fitting, preventing excessive inversion forces from being generated at the subtalar joint. The ankle support portion is relatively resilient and extends vertically from the heel portion, with the medial aspect extending higher than the lateral aspect. This form results in creating a three-point pressure system, which resists inversion forces from displacing the ankle mortise. The proximal end of the ankle support portion is enclosed via a fastening strap to customize fit. The talofibular support portion extends laterally and distally from the heel portion and reinforces the relatively vulnerable anterior talofibular ligament, providing stabilization and decreasing injury to the lateral ligamentous complex of the ankle.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus having a main body with a generally cylindrical inner cavity. The main body has a main aperture for the user to breath into and at least two sets of outer openings. An inner cylinder is coaxially disposed within the inner cavity of the main body and is adapted to move relative to the main body. The inner cylinder has an open end adjacent the main aperture, and at least two sets of inner openings selectively matable with the openings in the main body upon movement of the inner cylinder with respect to the main body. By selecting the appropriate alignment of openings, either resistive, percussive, or pulsing breathing exercises can be performed.

Abstract: Support arrangement for supporting the arm of a patient in a bent position of the upper arm relative to the lower arm. The support arrangement includes a holding bag, which on an upper side is attachable in a hanging manner to a support. The holding bag forms a bottom side configured for the upper arm and forms a first side configured for the underside of the bent lower arm. The holding bag is made exclusively of textile-like material and consists of a flat cut, folded and sewn up on the upper and lower sides. A second side of the holding bag facing the upper arm is formed so as to be closeable, and at least one cord for closing the second side and at least one fastening cord for fastening the holding sack at its upper side are provided. The holding bag may be formed tapered at its width at least on the upper side. The holding bag may be formed open in the tapered region both on the side facing the upper arm and on the side turned away from the upper arm.

Abstract: A massaging device for insertion in the back of massage chairs or the like, comprising a frame which supports, so that they can rotate about their respective axes, an upper shaft and a lower shaft having parallel and substantially horizontal axes and eccentric portions. Two arms are provided, each arm supporting a massage wheel which can rotate about its own almost horizontal axis, and, proximate to one of its ends, the corresponding massage wheel and being connected, proximate to its opposite end, to an eccentric portion of the upper shaft and, at an intermediate region, to an eccentric portion of the lower shaft. Elements are also provided for rotating the shafts about their respective axes to produce an alternating movement of the massage wheels in a substantially horizontal direction and in a substantially vertical direction, the actuation elements comprising an upper gearmotor which actuates the upper shaft and a lower gearmotor which actuates the lower shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides improved climbing devices and structures for use in mobile and fixed climbing installations. The mobile climbing installation has a modular climbing tower pivotally mounted to a trailer to pivot between a road orientation and a climbing orientation. Modular climbing towers are generally assembled from panels having lateral curves by fastening upper and lower flanges of the panels together. The panels and flanges are integrally molded from fiberglass, and act as a monocoque structure. The climbing surface is on the radially outward portion of the partially or fully enclosed tower, thereby increasing the number of climbers that can safely be accommodated on a climbing surface of a given width. The invention also provides belaying devices for safely supporting a climber at the end of a flexible member such as a cable, rope, or the like. These belaying devices generally draw in the flexible member as the climber climbs.

Abstract: A stereotactic device for use with an imager is disclosed, which permits an imaging scan to be taken with reference to a personal coordinate system (or PCS) that is independent of a machine coordinate system (or MCS). Methods using the device to obtain imaging scans are described such that the imaging scans are superimposable even if taken at different time periods using the same or a different imager. The device comprises a frame that can be reproducibly positioned on a subject and which is equipped with non-invasive affixing means and localizing means that provide the PCS. The device and methods of the invention are particularly well suited for routine initial or follow-up examinations, pre-surgical planning and post-surgical evaluation.

Abstract: The balance beam of this invention has an elongated beam member having opposite ends, a center portion, a top and a bottom, with legs on the bottom thereof adjacent the ends. Each leg has an upper and a lower end. A resilient support and trolley assembly is mounted within the elongated beam adjacent the ends thereof with each support assembly having a depending arm member extending downwardly therefrom with each arm member being pivotally secured to one of the upper ends of the legs. The legs extend downwardly and outwardly from the arm member in the plane of the beam member so that the lower ends thereof dwell substantially under the ends of the beam member. Elongated links are pivotally secured by their ends to one end of the beam and one end of each of the legs to hold the beam member in an erected elevated horizontal position. The resilient support and trolley assembly is longitudinally movably positioned within the beam and has two end blocks rigidly secured to a trolley.

Abstract: The exercise device of the present invention has a base having two side members and front member that extends between the side members. At least one truss member extends from the base. A rotatable shaft is positioned on the truss member and a flywheel is mounted on the shaft. A rotatable drive shaft is mounted on the truss member and a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch are mounted on the drive shaft. A means is provided for operatively connecting the drive shaft to the rotatable shaft whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes the rotatable shaft to rotate. A pair of arms have a first end that is pivotally mounted on the base and a second end that extends from the base. A foot pad is positioned on the second end of each of the arms. The foot pads are disposed to move in an arcuate path towards and away from the side members of the base and the movement of the foot pads is in a direction that is substantially parallel to the front member of the base.

Abstract: A rubbing plate of flat, elongated shape having a plurality of recessed portions and flat peripheral edges at the peripheral sides thereof and massaging area formed of raised portions at the outside wall for massing the head, the palms, the neck, orbital region, the fingers and acupuncture points of the body. The recessed portions preferably have different curvatures and lengths.

Abstract: A martial arts practice apparatus which supports a hand-held striking target, called a focus pad, in a variety of positions corresponding to parts of a person's body. The apparatus generally comprises an arm adapted to hold a focus pad at its distal end and a base which pivotally supports the arm and absorbs the force of the blows delivered to the focus pad. An axle disposed through the middle of the base and the bottom end of the arm allows the arm to be pivoted over the base, and a removable pin may be inserted through the arm and one of the holes formed at regular intervals through the top edge of the base at a uniform radial distance from the axle to secure the arm in a fixed position. A spring loaded resistance system or a resilient top portion of the base allows the base to absorb the force of the blows delivered to the focus pad.

Abstract: A patella strap which the patella strap has a forward patella press which optionally includes a horse shoe shaped gel. Laterally of the patella press on both sides, buckles are provided which assist in securing the tension of the strap, provision is made for an angulated tension control which permits the patella strap to be used in the inferior or superior position with equal facility. The elasticized patella press allows individual tension control. The elastic patella press also provides the pocket for securing the viscoelastic insert. The band which engages the laterally positioned buckles optionally, but desirably, has an underlying leather like strap which prevents the buckle from contacting the skin of the body. The rear mounting body strap is inserted at both ends into the guide of the buckle, opposing the opening to receive the elasticized patella press which holds the patella engaging portion in place.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A deformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus including a spring biased plunger. A preferred embodiment of the lens injecting apparatus includes a separate lens injecting device having a lens cartridge receiver, and a separate one-piece lens cartridge having a lens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion. The lens cartridge is preferably connected into the lens cartridge receiver by a bayonet-type connection.

Abstract: A climbing hold for mounting on a front face of a climbing wall with a fastener. The climbing hold includes a hold body and a reinforcing sleeve. The hold body has an exterior portion adapted to support a climber and a substantially planar mounting face adapted to engage the front face of the climbing wall. The reinforcing sleeve is secured within the hold body and has first and second ends with an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough adapted to accommodate the fastener for mounting the climbing hold to the climbing wall. The reinforcing sleeve substantially isolates the hold body from fastening forces that result from mounting the climbing hold to the climbing wall.

Abstract: There is provided a testing device for determining the amount of tension in the quadriceps muscle for the anterior cruciate ligament to fail. There is also provided a knee brace having three point fixation and includes a pair of first arm members positioned on opposite sides of the knee joint. The lower leg brace member has a pair of second arm members oriented and positionable on opposite sides of the knee joint. The rigid thigh member and lower leg member are secured to the wearer's leg by means of a flexible strap extending around the back of the leg and adjustably attached thereto. The mating ends of the arms are connected by a pair of parallel spaced-apart face plates forming polycentric hinges which permit the mating ends of the arms to pivot about the connections. Various forms of extension cushions are provided to limit the proximity of the mating ends to one another to thereby limit the forward movement of the arms.

Abstract: A method and device for treatment of a varicose vein is provided which includes the step of applying to the skin of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated a device including: (a) an element for securing the device to the leg of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated such as a carrier tape; and (b) a one-way valve element such as a cantilever element biased by a spring for applying a selected amount of pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced; and applying sufficient pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced.