Abstract: An orthopedic apparatus to be worn by a person such as an athlete, trauma victim or surgical patient, to protect and supplement the function of a bone joint. The apparatus comprises a first support member adapted to be placed on one lateral aspect of an appendage above the bone joint to be treated. A first rigid arm extends from the first support member and terminates in a male member adjacent the bone joint. A second support member is placed on the same lateral aspect of the appendage as the first support member and positioned below the bone joint to be treated. A second rigid arm extends upwardly from the second support member and terminates in a female member at a point adjacent the bone joint to be treated, such that the male and female members cooperate to form a ball and socket joint. The support members are secured to the appendage so that the ball and socket joint remains adjacent the bone joint to protect and supplement the function of the bone joint.

Abstract: A device for quantitating afferent optic nerve defects is disclosed. The device is particularly adapted for use in examining optic nerve defects which produce a Marcus-Gunn pupil.

Abstract: A strap device worn on a fully or partially paralyzed leg assists the wearer in hiking the hip up, keeping the leg straight and holding the front of the foot up while moving the leg forward from the rearmost position of the ambulatory cycle. The strap device includes a waist belt for support. An elastic thigh strap is connected at its upper end to the waist belt and at its lower end to a plurality of knee straps designed to urge the knee to its extended position. Depending from the knee straps is a foot sling which assists in holding the front of the foot up and in hiking the hip up.

Abstract: A device for strengthening and training the auricular muscles of dogs to hold ears erect following cosmetic surgery, comprising a transverse member affixed to the upper ends of two columnar shafts and extending between them perpendicularly. The shafts are inserted into the ear canals of the animal activating a reflexive response of the auricular muscles causing the ears to remain in an erect position. The device is held in place by the application of adhesive tape or other securing means about the shaft and the ear.

Abstract: Excercising through pivotal motions around the region of selected neck vertebrae is obtained by an attachment to a vertically tensioning assembly. The vertical tensioning assembly includes a yoke adapted to sit on the shoulders of the wearer with an extendible support framework, such as pneumatic cylinders, connecting the yoke with a pivotable harness arrangement suspended from over the wearer's head. The attachment is adapted to couple to the vertically extendible framework so that it can be adjusted and secured in a vertical direction. The attachment includes a neck surface engaging pad configured in the vertical direction so as to overlie a small region preferably of one vertebrae in length. The pad is configured horizontally to generally conform to the neck contour. By this relationship to the user, a fulcrum point is established at a selected vertebrae level so the wearer can exercise with pivotal motions around the selected vertebrae while the neck is in tension.

Abstract: A laser knife comprises a tubular member adapted to be passed through a forceps channel of an endoscope for insertion into a coeloma, holders disposed at the distal end of the tubular member for holding an affected part within the coeloma which is to be cauterized, a laser radiation transmission member for irradiating the affected part held by the holders with radiation from a laser, and a pad on the holders for accepting the laser radiation subsequent to the completion of the cautery, thus preventing the irradiation of normal tissues with the laser radiation.

Abstract: A urethral catheter includes a flexible transparent catheter tube, a drainage adapter having a major aperature secured to the proximal end of the catheter tube, a minor aperature axially aligned with the major aperature and a drainage funnel located between the aperatures and a fiber optic member having means on one end for attachment to a light source and a flexible fiber optic strand on the other end thereof extending through the minor and major aperatures and through the interior lumen of the tube with the distal end located adjacent the distal end of the tube. An end portion of the fiber optic within the tube is abraded to provide circumferential illumination extending outwardly of the fiber optic end through the transparent tube. The fiber optic may be axially adjusted within the tube by means of the sliding fit with the minor aperature of the drainage adapter.

Abstract: Apparatus for relieving cranial tension comprising a head band having multiple diametrically disposed expandable compartments on the inner face of the head band, and an alternating pump for introducing and removing fluid under pressure for expansion and contraction of said compartments while in contact with the head.

Abstract: This invention relates to an orthopaedic apparatus for treatment of the spine.The apparatus is comprised of a pelvic girdle being supported on at least one trochanter, an abdominal plate and two lateral shells fixed directly onto the patient by all methods.This device, which can be completed by stiff rods and a system of removable neck and head braces, enables the spinal column to be corrected in the desired direction while leaving the patient great freedom of movement.

Abstract: This invention is an implement for (1) preventing injuries to human knees by absorbing and spreading an external blow and (2) orthopedic procedures for therapy and rehabilitation. The concept is a (A) floating rocker connection axis beside the leg joint, which connects to (B) substantially rigid tongues encased in (C) substantially rigid sleeves fitted to the limbs above and below the rocker connection, appropriately padded for comfortable fit and wrapped with conventional taping. As the leg bends the tongues slide randomly in respective sleeves and the rocker connection adjusts to the pulls and pushes of the tongues, floating with the limb joint's natural hinge. One embodiment employs multiple narrow tongues for differential sliding inside the sleeves for easier more flexible motion in non-contact service.

Abstract: An adjustable finger splint made entirely of a single piece of spring steel wire which is bent into a configuration which includes a central arcuate section adapted to cup a portion of the circumferential curve of one of the dorsal and ventral surfaces of a finger or thumb. A pair of substantially arcuate arms extend in opposite directions from the ends of the central section in a lengthwise manner generally following the anatomical conformation of a finger which is to be splinted. A pair of arcuate support pieces in a somewhat rectangular shape are formed from the terminal ends of the arms. These support pieces are designed to cup the part of the finger into which they are in contact. The splint is worn with the terminal arm support pieces either under the finger for extension of the finger, or the terminal arm support pieces can be worn on the top of the finger for flexion of the finger. Heat sealed foam pads cover the central arcuate section and the terminal arm support pieces for comfort.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cold therapy pack for use particularly in the relief of pain, swelling, or other discomforts of patients involved in cosmetic surgery in the facial area such as, rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty. The appliance comprises a goggle shaped plastic pack filled with a hydrophilic gel having the property of maintaining its pliability in a frozen state. As easily attached nose pack is provided when necessary.

Abstract: An improved cervical adjusting unit for applying a specifically directed force to the cervical spine of a patient to correct subluxations of the cervical spine, comprising an adjustable table for supportably positioning a patient in side posture thereon with the cervical spine in a preselected and prestressed configuration, the table including a first horizontal support surface for the pelvis and legs of the patient, a second adjustable support surface for supporting and positioning the thoracic and shoulder portions of the patient, and a headpiece which is adjustable in multiple directions to position the head of the patient; and a force applicator unit adjacent the headpiece of the table for directing a predetermined force against the cervical spine of the patient by means of a force-imparting stylus, the stylus being supported for universal adjustment with respect to the patient in a positionally adjustable force applicator head mounted on the outer end of an adjustable parallelogram section which is attac

Abstract: An orthopedic device for precisely controlling the leg and hip movement of a handicapped individual in order to stabilize the position of the hips when walking and thus promote normal back muscle development and body growth. The apparatus of the invention includes a guide member and a slide mechanism operatively associated therewith. The guide member is rigidly connected to one of a pair of leg braces while the slide mechanism is similarly connected to the other leg brace of the pair. A very precise motion is translated from the guide and slide mechanism to the leg braces which directs the legs of the individual through a path of travel that holds the hips and pelvic region in a relatively normal horizontally aligned position.

Abstract: Useful for removing kidney stones, gall stones and other objects from human body passages, the extracting device comprises a thin tubular rubber sleeve having its proximal and distal ends connected to the distal ends of outer and inner flexible tubes insertable into the body passage. The sleeve is inflatable by fluid pressure, supplied along the clearance space between the tubes to dilate the passage. The distal end of the sleeve is turned inside out and, when the sleeve is inflated, forms a soft annular flaring convex portion bulging beyond the distal end of the inner tube for sealing engagement with the stone, which is captured by suction, applied through the inner tube. Then, the inner tube is retracted, so that the suction pulls the stone within the sleeve while progressively turning the sleeve inside out around the stone to envelop the stone, for removal with the tubes.

Abstract: A device and technique utilized in body fluid aspiration which minimizes the risk of complications that normally may result from accidental puncture of internal organs. The device includes a sharp-tipped fluid aspiration needle which features cushioning means, preferably in the form of an inflatable balloon, positionable between the sharp tip of the needle and the internal organs during the aspiration procedure. The inflatable balloon is preferably connected to an end of a cannula which is, in turn, slidably positionable within the hollow needle. The cannula is in a retracted position in the needle upon insertion of the latter through the body. When the fluid is located, the cannula is advanced to a locked position beyond the sharp tip of the needle, whereupon the balloon is inflated and the fluid aspiration commenced. The inflated balloon and extended cannula ablate the sharp edge of the needle as well as minimize movement thereof during the procedure to substantially reduce the risk of accidental puncture.

Abstract: A laser knife includes a tubular member adapted to be inserted into the coeloma by being inserted into the forceps channel of an endoscope, a pair of oppositely located laser radiation emitter and acceptor members on the distal end of the tubular member, a laser radiation receiving element disposed on the acceptor for accepting laser radiation which is used for purpose of cautery subsequent to the completion thereof and performing a photoelectric conversion of such radiation, a laser radiation transmission member for transmitting laser radiation to the emitter, and a laser radiation isolator interposed between the transmission member and a laser oscillator and responsive to a laser radiation accept signal from the element for interrupting the supply of laser radiation into the transmission member. In this manner, unwanted irradiation of normal tissues with the laser radiation is automatically terminated after a desired affected part has been cauterized.

Abstract: A disposable perineal ice pack having an anatomical shape specially adapted for treatment of swelling and other disfunction of the rectal-vaginal pelvis region of female subjects, composed of a flexible hollow synthetic material having a cold temperature storage medium therein, such as water, or other liquid freezable between zero and thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit, wherein said ice pack is specially contoured to compliment both the rectal and vaginal regions adaptable for use during post-operative surgeries or traumatic insults to the pelvic region.

Abstract: An arm and hand brace for persons afflicted with the neuro-muscular tremors of cerebral palsy; a bracing device framing the shoulders, upper arm, forearm and hand which, in application, damps and controls involuntary neuro-muscular spasms and permits the performance of controlled, willed actions of these members by cerebral palsy victims; an articulated frame comprised of a support, a train of linked arms, a sleeve clasping the hand, wrist and forearm, a series of double and single element joints and a piston-piston rod extension-retraction system, all for establishing and maintaining control of gross and fine arm and hand movements in the cerebral palsy patient.

Abstract: The curving device in an endoscope is made highly flexible yet resistant to bending. The guide tube of the curving end section is provided with a groove or ring-shaped grooves which are formed respectively spirally or at equal intervals in the outer wall of the guide tube. The coil is made of a wire whose diameter is substantially equal to the depth of the groove or grooves and smaller than the width of the groove or grooves. The coil is fitted into the groove or grooves in a spiral manner.