Abstract: A medicament container (10) is disclosed which comprises at least two compartments (21, 22). Each of the compartments (21, 22) is adapted to contain a dose of a medicament in powdered form and is provided with at least one opening (23) through which, in use, the medicament can be dispensed. The container (10) is preferably cylindrical in form, the diameter of the cylinder being greater than its depth such that the container (10) has the form of a squat drum.

Abstract: There is provided a carrier comprising an elongate strip (10) having a first portion and a second portion; a fold between said first portion and said second portion such that the first portion contacts the second portion; and a join between the first portion and the second portion, wherein said join and the fold form the edges of a pocket or pouch (20) for containment of product. The carrier is suitable for the containment of a range of different products, particularly medicaments.

Abstract: An oropharyngeal device for insertion into the mouth of a patient. The device includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end with a flange formed at the proximal end. The distal end is inserted into the mouth until the flange is disposed outside and adjacent to the patient's mouth. The flange keeps the proximal device from entering the mouth. The body is sized such that the distal end of the body is disposed within the pharynx above the epiglottis. The device includes a channel that forms an airway between the ends. The device also includes at least three separate conduits integrated into the body for administering oxygen, suctioning, and for assessing ventilation thorough end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring. The conduits for oxygenation and suctioning extend through the body between its proximal and distal ends. The conduit for end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring terminates within the channel.

Abstract: The face or nose mask (1) includes a mask body (2) with an inlet (3). The mask body (2) includes a sealing element with a first chamber (10), and a second chamber (11) which can be connected by connectors (12, 13) to a source of pressurized air.

Abstract: A device for manipulating intrathoracic pressures comprises a compressible bag structure, and an interface member coupled to the bag structure. A one way forward valve is coupled to the bag structure to permit respiratory gas to flow to the patient when the bag structure is compressed. A one way exit valve is employed to allow respiratory gases to be pulled from the person's airway upon decompression of the bag structure to produce a negative intrathoracic pressure.

Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis including a footplate having a line of progression that extends from a heel portion to a middle portion to a toe portion of the footplate, and a leg support connected to the footplate. The footplate has at least two superimposed and discrete structural layers each having a different length and extending along at least a segment of a length of the footplate. The footplate defines regions with different thicknesses and stiffness. The leg support has a first end portion connected to the heel portion of the footplate.

Abstract: The invention prevents dynamic airway compression during ventilatory support of a patient. The respiratory airflow is determined by measurement or calculation, and a measure of the degree of dynamic airway compression is derived from the determined airflow. This measure is servo-controlled to be zero by increasing expiratory pressure if the measure of the degree of dynamic airway compression is large or increasing, and by reducing expiratory pressure if the measure of the degree of dynamic airway compression is small or zero.

Abstract: The present application describes a strap tab cap assembly for connecting a strap tab to an article, such as a knee brace frame. The assembly includes a strap tab cap disposed over a washer having two upwardly extending flanges. A bushing and fastening member are provided for rotatably coupling the strap tab cap to the knee brace frame. However, the washer is rotatably fixed with respect to the knee brace frame. The flanges on the washer limit the rotation of the strap tab cap with respect to the knee brace frame. The washer also protects the knee brace frame from wear during rotation of the strap tab. The assembly is very durable and is resistant to becoming disassembled during normal use, but includes field replaceable components for easy repair.

Abstract: A cervical immobilizing device includes a pair of arms that can be folded to an upright position to engage and support a patient's head, an actuating device for folding the arms to the supporting position, and a locking device for locking the position of the arms in the folded supporting position. The actuating device is coupled to the outer ends of the arms for folding the arms to an upright position symmetrically and uniformly. In one embodiment, the actuator device is a flexible member that passes around a guide to a position and gripped by the user. The locking device can be a clinching, ratcheting or clamping device, or a combination thereof, on the actuator device. In one embodiment, the folding arms include a coupling device for coupling the arms to a base in a sliding arrangement to enable the arms to slide along the base to a folded position.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing fluid transfer through an opening connecting an oviduct to a uterine cavity includes a body having a base with a periphery and a seal carried by the body for overlying and engaging uterine tissue leading to the opening. The seal receives fibroblast in-growth to create a hermetic seal between the oviduct and the uterine cavity. A peripheral anchor portion extends from the base for securing the body to the uterine tissue leading to the opening, the base overlying the opening.

Abstract: A shoulder brace including a shoulder member mountable to a patient's shoulder, and a positioning device that increases pressure to the shoulder in accordance with the position of the patient's arm. In one embodiment, the shoulder brace includes a shoulder member with an open portion forming substantially rigid first and second arms and a positioning device that varies the spacing of the first and second arms according to the position of the patient's arm. In another embodiment, the positioning device includes a tensioning ring and first and second tension triggering straps that provide anterior and posterior compression of the shoulder joint when the arm is moved into a danger zone. In another embodiment, the shoulder brace includes a first mounting member mountable to the pectoral area, a second mounting member mountable to the upper arm, and a connecting member that connects the first and second mounting members.

Abstract: A respiratory mask is provided having an outer shell coupled to a cushion for the delivery of a gas to a user. The cushion of the respiratory mask has a pleat and varied wall thicknesses about the device in order to provide varying degrees of flexibility and support about the cushion.

Abstract: An eyewear apparatus for treating dry eye conditions featuring a pair of curved eyecups having interior cavities for providing treatment to the eyes when worn. Each interior cavity has a sidewall surface adapted to removably engage with the perimeter edge of a moisture pad which may be mounted therein to provide moisture, aroma, or medicinal treatment to the eye. An ocular cavity formed in the moisture pads provides a separate treatment chamber to each of the two eyes of a user. Heat or cold may also be provided to the ocular chamber through temperature components which mount to the moisture pad or in a gap between the moisture pad and the front of the interior cavity.

Abstract: An interocclusal sports prophylaxis includes a core having an arch shaped occlusal plate with upwardly extending buccal and lingual walls. A labial force dispersal shield and molar framing braces extend downwardly from the plate at incisor and lingual zones of the plate. The occlusal plate is thickened at the molar and incisor zones so that breathing spaces are provided between mandibular occlusal surfaces not registered with the zones and a mandibular face of the plate. A shock absorption dentition encasement is molded over the upper surface of the core and also covers the molar and incisor zones. The prophylaxis is heated in water, seated in the mouth and then biting pressure is applied to embed the maxillary dentition in the encasement and the lower incisor and molar occlusal surfaces in the encasement covering the zones.

Abstract: An orthopedic knee brace provides an apparatus for accurately prescribing the anatomical motion of the human knee. The orthopedic knee brace is used for treatment and rehabilitation following surgery to the knee, protection for a surgically repaired knee, and protection for an uninjured knee, among other applications. The orthopedic knee brace actively prescribes asymmetric three-dimensional anatomic motion in six degrees of freedom of the wearer's knee. The rigid connections between the thigh and calf engaging members and the medial and lateral hinges provide the ability of the orthopedic knee brace to prescribe asymmetric three-dimensional anatomic motion in six degrees of freedom by actively prescribing flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, internal/external rotation, anterior/posterior translation, medial/lateral translation, and proximal/distal translation between a femur and a tibia of a wearer's leg.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for determining an aspiration flow and an aspiration time during aspiration of a dead space, the aspiration is made more effective by determining the volume of the dead space to be aspired during an expiration, determining an expiration flow with respect to time during at least a latter part of the expiration, and optimizing the aspiration time and the aspiration flow from the determined volume of the dead space and the measured expiration flow with respect to time is such a way that the dead space can be aspirated during an ongoing expiration with a minimum of interference to the flow balance in the expiration flow as observed from a point upstream and/or downstream the dead space.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orthopedic device for therapy and rehabilitation of joints to increase the range of motion of the joint, a method of manufacture therefor, and a method of operating the same. The orthopedic device, among other possible elements, may include a foot support element configured to substantially support a user's foot or ankle, at least two guide lines each having a first and a second end, wherein each of the first ends are coupleable to the foot support element. The orthopedic device, may further include a control member coupleable to each of the second ends, the control member configured to control the at least two guide lines to flex the user's foot or ankle in a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A hinge for orthopedic braces includes a pair of support arms, a pair of pivot pins and a hinge plate. The arms are coupled to the hinge plate through the pivot pins and are rotateable between an extension position and a flexion position. The hinge plate has a plurality of adjustment apertures for selective reception of an extension limit pin and a flexion limit pin to selectively restrain rotation of the arms beyond an extension limit and a flexion limit. The pins are retained on the hinge by flexible retainers and are individually positionable among the apertures to adjust the range of motion of the arms. A pair of cover elements pivotally moveable in a plane parallel to the hinge plate provide an open position accommodating access to the pins and a closed position preventing inadvertent displacement of the pins from the apertures.

Abstract: A filtering face mask 10 that has a mask body and a new exhalation valve 14. The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a person to help define an interior gas space when the mask is worn. The exhalation valve 14 permits fluid communication between the interior gas space and an exterior gas space. The exhalation valve 14 has a valve seat 20 and a flap 22. The valve seat 20 includes a resilient seal surface 24 and an orifice 30 through which exhaled air may pass to leave the interior gas space. The flap 22 is mounted to the valve seat 20 such that the flap 22 makes contact with the resilient seal surface 24 when the valve is in its closed position and such that the flap 22 can move away from the seal surface 24 in response to an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orifice 30 to ultimately enter the exterior gas space.

Abstract: A multi-axis cervical and lumbar traction table and method of using same. The traction table includes a support frame with a first body supporting portion and a second body supporting portion. The first body supporting portion is moveable relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis. A securing system adapted to secure a patient to the first and second body supporting portions is provided. Linking mechanism is adapted to move the first body supporting portion along a path relative to the second body supporting portion, wherein the path comprises at least one rotational degree of freedom.