Abstract: A powder inhaler includes a container for storing powdered medicament. A metering member has a dosing recess and is moveable between a filling position in which the dosing recess is in alignment with an opening of the container, and an inhalation position in which it is in alignment with an inhalation channel. A mouthpiece is in communication with the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of powdered medicament when in the inhalation position. A protective member provided between the metering member and the inhalation channel is moveable between a closed position in which the protective member covers the dosing recess, thereby preventing powdered medicament contained in the dosing recess from entering the inhalation channel, and an open position in which the protective member does not cover the dosing recess, thereby exposing the dosing recess to the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of the powdered medicament.

Abstract: A nasopharyngeal airway device has a tubular body with a securement assembly disposed at the proximal end thereof. The tubular body may include a plurality of apertures along the sidewall thereof. The securement assembly can include a flared flange and an outwardly extending locking protrusion. During use, the tubular body is positioned within the nasal passageway. The locking protrusion is bent and also inserted into the nasal passageway so as to secure the nasopharyngeal airway device in place.

Abstract: A lower torso support has first and second front panels that are attachable to each other and independently moveable with respect to the side portions of the support. The front panels can be any suitable dimensions. However, slipper shapes are deemed to be the most useful, with front panels preferably at least 15 cm long and at least 6 cm tall at their tallest point. In preferred embodiments the front panels are readily attachable to and detachable from the side portions in a wide variety of superior to inferior and medial to lateral positions. At present the preferred mechanism for making those connections is a hook and loop mechanism, which has the advantage of also allowing the front panels to be angled with respect to the side portions in any suitable orientation.

Abstract: The present invention is related to patient interfaces, such as nasal masks (2), particularly though not solely for use in providing continuous positive airway pressure therapy or positive pressure ventilation to patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea. In a first form the invention is a patient interface that has securement means (601) releasably attaching the interface to headstraps wherein the securement means (601) is slidably engaged with the patient interface. In a second form of the invention the mask headgear is formed of a plurality of straps (701, 702) where at least one of the plurality of straps is slidably engaged with another of the plurality of straps. In a further form the patient interface may be provided with vertically adjustable engaging means (802) that engage the patient interface with the headgear straps.

Abstract: A portable kit (20) in which is conveniently retained the materials required for a user to pulmonarily delivery inhaleable medication. The kit (20) includes a carrying case (22) in which a plurality of individual doses (5) of an inhaleable medication are removably mounted. An inhaler (40) is also mountable in the case (22), and when removed from the case (22) is operable to pulmonarily administer one of the medication doses (57) loaded by a user into the inhaler (40). A dosing guidance system (70) is also provided within the case (22) in registry with the plurality of individual doses (57) of medication, which dosing guidance system (70) provides a quick, visual reminder to assist the user in taking doses as prescribed by her physician.

Abstract: A foot and ankle control device including an ankle strap positioned to encircle the leg of a wearer immediately above the ankle. A foot support strap having a medial “D”-ring and a lateral “D”-ring is positioned underneath the wearer's foot adjacent the instep of the foot. A connecting strap is positioned to lie over the arch of the foot and working in cooperation with the foot support strap is used to secure the lateral “D”-ring on the lateral side of the ankle, and the medial “D”-ring on the medial side of the ankle. An elastic lateral control strap is provided for resiliently connecting the lateral “D”-ring to the ankle cuff strap. An elastic medial control strap is also provided for connecting the medial “D”-ring ankle cuff strap.

Abstract: A respirator (1) having a plurality of internal masks (2, 3) within an external mask (4), the inner masks (2, 3) being linked by ducts (8, 9) so as to direct the inhaled air from the outside of the mask to the oronasal area via an ocular mask. The oronasal mask (3) has a secondary valve (12) that is sprung so as to operate within the timeframe of the exhalation part of the breathing cycle, the exhaled air being ejected into the hollow outer body of the mask (4).

Abstract: The present invention provides a controlling undergarment covering a wearer's abdomen, lumbar, and thigh capable of stabilizing the pelvis, tightening the swelling of the center of the abdomen, and performing a correction to stabilize the lower buttocks without discomfort and the need for putting on and taking off when excreting which comprises: a main body for covering the wearer's abdomen, lumbar, and thigh composed by the connection of a front part, a back part, and two leg parts; and a belt with stretchability for surrounding the front and back sides of the main body wherein a crotch region is open.

Abstract: A string arrangement for a detachment type waist-protecting belt to hold the vertebra region of a vertebra related patient is provided. The string arrangement enables a separate fastening of the upper portion and lower portion of the belt to form a saddle like shape that fits the contour of the waist of an individual patient dynamically with or without the extra support of a frame. The waist-protecting belt can also be connected to a back supporting frame, which is comprised of two plastic plates, via two guiding nuts, fixed on the center of the exterior side of the inner-half of the rim of each solid plastic plate, guided through the two narrow and long holes found on the wider portions of the belt, and held in place by two wide head bolts which screw on to the nuts. Then the upper portion and lower portion of the frame is adjusted separately by the movement of the upper and lower portion of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient. In one aspect, a nebulizer is pressure sensitive so that nebulization is coordinated with a breathing cycle of the patient. The nebulizer includes a movable gas diverter that diverts pressurized gas across a liquid outlet. The diverter is moved in response to the patient's breathing cycle. In one aspect, a biasing member moves the diverter. According to another aspect of the nebulizer, an annular liquid orifice disperses an aerosol in a radial direction in response to a pressurized gas flow from an orifice located concentrically thereto. Multiple liquid orifices may be provided. In a further aspect of the nebulizer, a reservoir includes an upper, wide portion and a lower narrow portion to apply relatively uniform pressure at a liquid orifice.

Abstract: A medical device for overcoming upper airway obstruction when a patient is placed in a supine position, featuring a flat rectangular support base that attaches to the support frame perpendicularly, and a variation of lower jaw supports that attach to the support frame after encircling the patient's lower jaw.

Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis having a structural frame formed from at least one layer of fabric impregnated with a hardened structural resin. The frame includes at least one anterior support member that extends downwardly from an upper leg engaging portion to define an anterior ankle portion which extends to a medial portion connected to a foot plate.

Abstract: An exhalation valve (10) is disclosed for use with an exhalation port (14) of a respiratory circuit. The exhalation valve comprises a hermetically sealed gas chamber (20,120), a gas inlet (22,122) for supplying gas to the gas chamber, and a membrane (24,124) of flexible material that defines at least part of a wall of the gas chamber. The membrane is deformable by a change in the pressure differential between the gas within the gas chamber and the gas within the exhalation port between an inoperative configuration and an operative configuration in which the membrane restricts the flow of gas from the exhalation port to a greater extent than in said inoperative configuration. The membrane is inherently planar but is mounted within the exhalation valve such that deformation of the membrane to its operative configuration occurs substantially without increase of the surface area of the membrane.

Abstract: An exercise vest including a waist band belt fitting around a user's mid-section adjacent the apex of the thoratic curve. A pair of shoulder straps for connecting the belt to an unweighting system. A weight transfer strap having one end secured to a shoulder strap belt on the side of the user opposite the apex of the thoratic curve. The free end of the weight transfer strap connected to the belt at a position on the user's back adjacent the apex of the thoratic curve. A loop attached to the belt for redirecting the strap in a direction such that the strap has a vector component extending laterally across the user's back. Finally, an ischial tuberosity strap is positioned to extend beneath the gluteous fold of the user and has each of its ends connected to the belt at the front of the user.

Abstract: A support for an oxygen diffuser for delivering a plume of oxygen-enriched air to a space in front of a patient's nose and mouth. The support comprises a means for holding a tube associated with the oxygen diffuser. This means is located at the vertex of front portions of rigid arms forming a v-shaped front of the support. A resilient front strap extends between rear portions of the arms. A resilient back strap extends between ends of the rear portions of the arms. In operation, the back strap is arranged so as to extend behind a user's head and is releasably adjustable to an operative length to seat the support securely on a user's head with a portion of the front of the user's face bearing against the front strap, so that, when so seated, the diffuser is held in a position spaced from but proximal to the patient's nose and mouth.

Abstract: A medical device for overcoming upper airway obstruction when a patient is placed in a supine position, featuring a flat rectangular support base that attaches to the support frame perpendicularly, and a variation of lower jaw supports that attach to the support frame after encircling the patient's lower jaw.

Abstract: A medical device for overcoming upper airway obstruction when a patient is placed in supine position. A cradle receives the patient's head, and the patient's head rests on and is secured to the cradle. Specifically, the head rests upon a first portion. The weight of the head upon the first portion anchors the entire device. A second portion has an adjustable band that generates an upward pull on the patient's chin, thereby opening the patient's upper airway. The first and second portions are generally perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A patient interface gas delivery mask having a forehead and chin support system including a forehead support, a chin support, and a system for supplying a flow of gas to a patient that incorporates such a mask, forehead support, and chin support. The forehead support includes a supporting arm which is adjustably mounted to the mask shell, thereby allowing the adjustment of the distance between the forehead support bracket and the mask shell in order to adjust for patient's of different sizes. A forehead support bracket is pivotally connected to the support arm. Likewise the chin support is also adjustably mounted to the mask shell.

Abstract: An orthosis that provides hinging action between two shell parts that are on opposite sides of a skeletal joint of a limb is provided with joint components on the medial and lateral sides of the skeletal joint. A spherical bearing connection between two parts of each of the joint components is used. The spherical connection is such that the pivot axes of the medial and lateral joint component do not have to be precisely coaxial when hinging due to the accommodation by the spherical bearing. Also, in fabricating an orthosis, a dummy joint component is used in the molding process, or, for metal frame fabrication and repair, the joint is plugged in neutral alignment during the fabrication process.

Abstract: A pressure generating system and method for generating a flow of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The system includes a pressure generator and a pressure regulator downstream of the pressure generator. The system monitors a characteristic associated with the pressure regulator, the fluid flow downstream of the pressure regulator to the patient, the fluid flow upstream of the pressure regulator, the fluid flow exhausted from the pressure regulator, or any combination thereof. A controller coupled to the pressure generator controls an operating speed of the pressure generator based on the monitored characteristic(s) so that the output of the pressure generator is only kept as high as needed to provide the desired pressure to the patient.