Abstract: A hinge system for a knee brace features a flexion-extension regulating device which is adapted to engage an end portion of the knee brace's upper strut. An elongated main slot is formed through the regulating device to provide a fixed boundary for limiting range of motion. A motion limiting member is connected to the regulating device and is further adapted for connection to an end portion of the knee brace's lower strut. The motion limiting member includes a motion limiter that is disposed within the main slot. The motion limiter is caused to move therealong when the upper and lower struts pivot about a user's knee joint. By confining the motion limiter within the fixed boundary formed by the main slot, the hinge system ensures that the user's knee joint flexes and extends within the prescribed range of motion.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A self-actuated cervical traction device is provided. The traction device includes a headpiece, a loop attached to the headpiece, a cord, a pulley and a foot engaging loop. The headpiece is secured on the head. The headpiece includes straps which are connected to a first anchor. The cord is first connected to the first anchor and then to and through the pulley system. The pulley system is supported by a door. The cord is further connected to a second anchor. The second anchor is further connected to a foot strap, which engages the feet of the user. The headpiece would be adjusted, and the user would lie on the floor. When the user extends their legs, the foot loop transmits force back through to the headpiece through the cord and pully system stretching the muscles at the back of the neck, causing a therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A medical device for overcoming upper airway obstruction when a patient is placed in a supine position, featuring a harness, a clip that attaches to the harness, and a plate or a bed that receives the clip that is attached to the harness after the medical device is placed on the patient.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the administration of a powdered medicament by inhalation. The system comprises a container (20, 60, 120) containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, the container (20, 60, 120) having at least one dispensing aperture (21), and a device (10, 50, 100) having a chamber (19, 56, 110) adapted to receive said container (20, 60, 120). The device (10, 50, 100) further comprises air inlet means (12, 12a, 13, 13a, 112, 113) by which air may be drawn into the chamber (19, 56, 110) and means (11, 111) by which air and entrained medicament may be drawn out of the chamber (19, 56, 110). The system is arranged such that the container (20, 60, 120), in use, is stationary within the chamber (19, 56, 110).

Abstract: A spinal orthosis including a posterior support having a substantially rigid posterior splint, an anterior support having a substantially rigid anterior splint, and a pair of overlapping supports having substantially rigid splints are releasably attachable to the posterior support. The rigid splints of the overlapping supports overlap a portion of the posterior splint and the anterior splint when the orthosis is installed on a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports brace comprising an elastic woven or knitted fabric, which for a sport of the kind that is performed using the arm or hand can be secured to the applicable arm or wrist (2) of the person using it by means of a closure (4). In order to provide that the sports brace (3) has better relief of the player's hitting hand or arm, compared to known braces, the invention proposes providing a plurality of weights (15), distributed over the surface, which act counter to the force of the ball hitting the racket used. To that end, the weights (15) or partial masses (18) of the weights (15) are movable within limits, so that their distribution over the brace also assures effectiveness at various impact angles of the ball or given a different posture of the hitting hand (1).

Abstract: A disposable, size-adaptable arm sling for supporting a patient's arm and hand has an elongated pouch for receiving the arm therein. The pouch has an open top and open front end and a closed bottom and closed aft end and is made of a mat of at least partially fused together synthetic fibers. A multiplicity of spaced-apart, elastic strands are attached to the mat and extend in a longitudinal direction of the pouch from the aft end to the front end thereof. The elastic strands have a length when in their relaxed state which is less than the length of the pouch when in use, and the mat has a greater length than the length of the strands in their relaxed state so that the mat is stretchable in a longitudinal direction of the pouch to about the original length of the mat. A strap is affixed to the aft end of the pouch, and a hand loop attached to the pouch adjacent the front end thereof can be engaged by a portion of the patient's hand.

Abstract: A low-cost orthosis for the treatment of toe injuries is disclosed. The orthosis is a bilateral, monolithic structure molded from polymeric foam material and having an upper portion adapted to surround the heel, dorsal portions, and toes of a foot, and a lower portion forming an outsole. The outsole has a wedge-shaped, proximal portion which elevates the forefoot, the proximal portion terminating in a cylindrical radius positioned beneath the ball of a user's foot. The distal portion of the outsole is recessed so that during use the orthosis can pivot on the fulcrum formed by the previously described radius, as would occur during ambulation, without the distal end of the orthosis contacting the floor. An insole, formed by the upper surfaces of the outsole of the orthosis is generally planar with a distally positioned recess in the area of a user's toes.

Abstract: A male genital protection device configured to conform to the shape of the male genital anatomy, which provides the wearer with added comfort and protection.

Abstract: A retaining device (1) for ventilation tubes (5) has two gripping jaws (2, 3), which can be locked into each other by means of a rack (11). The lower gripping jaw (3) can be attached to a stretcher via a bracket (6).

Abstract: An adjustable air conditioning and regulation apparatus for human respiratory system includes an air treatment assembly and a host controlling assembly. The air treatment assembly has an air filter, a humidity control, a heating device for temperature control and a pressure control. The air filter removes the particles and smells from the air. The clean air is regulated by the controls that maintain the clean air at a desired level of temperature, pressure and humidity. The apparatus provides clean, fresh and comfortable air for the patients with compromised respiratory system.

Abstract: The invention is a disposable liner for an AFO/contracture foot splint that is sufficiently soft and flexible so as to comfortably conform to body surfaces and provide a substantially close fit to prevent leakage. The liner has a fluid permeable layer, an absorbent layer, and a moisture-proof layer which is a liquid impervious back sheet disposed on the outer surface of the liner. The liner has a toe end, a foot region, a leg end, a leg region and a heel region. The foot region has winged extensions terminated with fastening elements for securing the foot region. The leg end of the liner has tabular extensions terminated with re-closable fastening elements for securing the leg region of the disposable liner to the leg. The heel region of the liner has an opening, which enables a portion of the wearer's heel to project through the heel region into heel “well” of a splint.

Abstract: An ankle fracture brace has a foot support portion which receives a foot of a patient. A convertible leg support portion receives a leg of the patient. The leg support portion includes a pair of spaced vertical arms connected by arm lower ends to sides of the foot support portion so as to extend upwardly past sides of an ankle of a patient and terminate adjacent sides of a calf of a patient. Upper end and lower end straps secure the leg support portion to the leg of the patient. These upper end and lower end straps are connected to the vertical arms adjacent the calf and ankle, respectively. A horizontal break line is formed in each of the arms between the upper end and lower end straps permitting a user to selectively sever the arms on the break lines to accommodate different patient uses of the ankle brace.

Abstract: An oral application for snoring prevention which has a flattened tube with an unobstructed airway and ridges on the inferior surface for pulling the tongue forward out of the path of the airway while the superior surface of the tube follows closely the hard and soft palate. The tube is short and extends in the oral cavity or mouth to a location which will not cause a gag reflex.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an adjusted traction force for the patient. The first body supporting portion is positioned in a non-horizontal configuration. A compensating force related to a weight of the first body supporting portion, a weight of an applicable portion of a patient's body, and an angle between the first body supporting portion and a horizontal plane is determined. The compensating force is applied to a desired traction force to determine the adjusted traction force. The adjusted traction force is applied to the patient by moving the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis to affect the distance between the first body supporting portion and the second body supporting portion.

Abstract: A method for splinting rib injuries is disclosed. A pair of anchor strips having a plurality of fasteners on their exposed surfaces are attached to the skin of the chest cavity by an adhesive, the strips being more or less vertically oriented and equidistantly spaced from the injury. Elastomeric straps having a plurality of fastener receivers are removably fastened to the anchor strips across the injury so as to produce a stabilizing/reducing force at the injury. Tension in the straps and orientation of the straps are adjusted to maximize patient comfort. In another embodiment a pad is placed between the elastomeric straps and the chest wall. In other embodiments the pad is a hot or cold compress. In yet another embodiment the pad is connected to a cold therapy machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrotherapy where a patient is placed in traction while immersed in a heated hydrotherapy pool. More specifically, a process and apparatus for hydrotherapy traction is disclosed in which the patient is placed in a horizontal supine position, and gradually moved to and from a position of immersed hydrotherapy traction in the heated hydrotherapy pool.

Abstract: An inhaler device comprising a container for powdered medicament, an inhalation channel, a movable metering member, a depressible actuator and a multiple dosage preventing means for locking the depressible actuator after use such that the actuator is unlocked only upon inhalation. The inhaler device is useful in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma. The multiple dosage preventing means of the device eliminates the risk of unintentional overdosing.

Abstract: A close-fitting, compression garment is described for providing adjustable compressive force over a surgical site in the dorsocervical region of the human body below the neck, above and between the shoulder blades of the upper back. The vest body portion of the invented garment has graduated or increasing elasticity encircling the upper torso and shoulder region of the body. Wide adjustable elastic pressure bands pressure anchored at the dorsocervical apex at the back of the vest stretch over the shoulders of the patient and adjustably anchored to anchor strips secured to the front chest surface of the vest for establishing compression over a surgical site in the dorsocervical region during recovery as needed both for rehabilitation and comfort.