Abstract: A cushion therapy device including a body, wherein the body has a channel formed therein. The cushion therapy device has a lower member and an upper member, each connected with the body. The cushion therapy device can have additional attachments and sensors for therapeutic relief.

Abstract: An oral appliance for the treatment of sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, in a user is presented. The oral appliance may include a mouthpiece configured to receive a user's dentition. The mouthpiece may include an oxygen sensor, a pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, an actigraphy sensor, a noise detector, and at least one stimulator for providing stimulation to a user's tongue in the event of decreased oxygen saturation levels, increased pressure applied to occlusal surfaces of the user's dentition, decreased actual airflow levels and/or increased noise levels. The mouthpiece may be provided with pharmaceutical compound reservoirs that deliver pharmaceutical compounds to the oral mucosa of the user, which compounds treat symptoms of sleep apnea. The mouthpiece may further include a microprocessor that receives data from the oxygen sensor, pressure sensor, airflow sensor, actigraphy sensor and noise detector, and activates the at least one stimulator and/or pharmaceutical compound reservoirs.

Abstract: A compression belt encircles a selected portion of a patient's body to provide temporary compression. The compression belt comprises an elongated belt body having first and second free ends free, a tensioning cord, a handle attached to the end of the tensioning cord, closing mechanism providing a mechanical advantage, a one-way tension mechanism and a selective release mechanism. Pulling the handle causes the closing mechanism to pull the first and second free ends closer together to compress the patient's body and engage the one-way tension mechanism that maintains compression even in the absence of continued pulling of the handle, unless the selective release mechanism is activated to release the compression. A buffer made of compressible material can be attached to the underside of the belt body to provide inward pressure when the belt is tightened. The belt body can further include a respiratory expansion panel that elongates elastically under tension.

Abstract: A hearing protection device is provided including a sound attenuating element and a stem extending from the sound attenuating element, wherein the stem comprises multiple curved segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the amelioration of sleep apnea and other obstructive breathing disorders in a patient includes a collar configured to encircle the patient's neck, and a jaw-engagement mechanism carried by the collar. The jaw-engagement mechanism includes a pad configured to contact the underside of the patient's lower jaw in the area of the anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis and to be received in a small hollow of the patient's jaw. In use, the pad can apply force against a surface of the patient's lower jaw in order to push it forwardly and upwardly. The pad preferably is secured to a movable post that can be positioned such that a desired amount of force is applied to the patient's lower jaw.

Abstract: Variable stiffness devices and methods of their use are provided. In some embodiments, a variable stiffness device comprises an inner member defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid; an outer member disposed around the inner member; and a granular medium disposed between the inner member and the outer member; wherein the inner member is being moveable in a radial direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing the actuating fluid into the compartment of the inner member to compress the granular medium against the outer member to increase the stiffness of the device.

Abstract: A tissue retention system to assist in maintaining adipose tissue on a patient in a displaced position during a medical procedure to provide access to a body region of the patient includes an anchor pad having a pad length and a pad width. The anchor pad may include a pad body with an adhesive surface thereon, the adhesive being configured to adhere to a patient's skin. The anchor pad also may include an opposing first attachment surface facing away from the adhesive surface. The tissue retention system also may include a tension member having a second attachment surface.

Abstract: A tissue retention belt for maintaining tissue in a position that permits access to a body portion of a patient for a medical procedure includes a first anchor zone, a second anchor zone, and a tension zone. The tension zone extends between the first anchor zone and the second anchor zone and defines a tension axis that extends in a direction of loading to be applied to retained tissue. The tension zone may include an auxiliary anchor zone that includes a removable non-adhesive and an adhesive surface configured to adhere to a patient's skin and provide auxiliary anchoring for maintaining tissue in position.

Abstract: An interface system in an exoskeleton includes a base support, a strap assembly, and posterior strut. The posterior strut has a vertical member defining a lower end connecting to the base support, and an upper end connecting to first and second transverse members extending in opposed directions from the vertical member. The first and second transverse members connect to the strap assembly. The interface system is adapted to receive and support an assistive device adapted to augment a user's performance and mitigate repetitive strain injuries.

Abstract: Provided is a mask having a built-in adsorptive membrane, the mask including: a mask body having the built-in adsorptive membrane for adsorbing foreign substances contained in air; and a hanger band fixed to the mask body to be hung and fixed to the ear, wherein the adsorptive membrane comprises: a support member having a plurality of first pores; and a first adsorptive member that is stacked on the support member and has a plurality of second pores formed therein and that is made by accumulating ion exchange nanofibers for adsorbing ionic foreign substances in the foreign substances.

Abstract: A method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in a position such as the trendelenburg position and apparatus therefor including a kit. A viscoelastic pad is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The viscoelastic pad has characteristics which promote a minimization of pressure forces on the patients body, as well as promote a secure cushioning and holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient.

Abstract: A system for positioning a patient before, during or after a medical procedure can include an arm assembly having a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and at least one joint therebetween. The joint can be configured to permit the distal end of the arm assembly to move with respect to the proximal end of the arm assembly. The proximal end of the arm assembly can be configured to be fixed with respect to a surgical table. The system can also include a ball joint mechanism attached to the distal end of the arm assembly and to a head support configured to support a patient's head. The ball joint mechanism can include a ball joint and a motor. Activation of the motor can permit or prevent movement of the ball joint.

Abstract: Rate-dependent, elastically-deformable devices according to various embodiments can be stretched and recovered at low elongation rates. Yet they become stiff and resistive to stretching at high elongation rates. These device can be utilized in orthotics, braces, and circulation-enhancing compression garments for the prevention of injury, promotion of personal health, and/or enhancement in human performance. The rate-responsive properties of the devices are critical performance enablers, as they allow the devices to provide a unique balance of comfort and performance that cannot be achieved with conventional, passive straps, braces, and compression garments.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence prevention instrument for males includes: an annular part made by forming a portion of a belt-like component; a convex part for pressing the urethra attached to the inner circumference surface side of the annular part; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the diameter of the annular part; and a pinching-prevention component having a hole for passing the belt-like component, a lower part of the pinching-prevention component is positioned between the penis and the adjustment mechanism, preventing the skin of the penis from being pinched in the adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism is located inside the hole, and both ends of the belt-like component pass through the inside of the hole and penetrate an upper part of the pinching-prevention component, the lower part of the pinching-prevention component and the convex part for pressing the urethra are at positions facing each other with the penis sandwiched in between.

Abstract: A surgical recovery process for improving the adhesion of the skin to substrate after procedures such as liposuction. A kinetic tape is adhered outside of the surgical area and then stretched along a midline of the abdomen over the rectus abdominis muscles and then adhered to the skin to pull the skin into a better position for healing. Additional segments of kinetic tape are similarly anchored to the skin outside of the surgical area to pull skin over the side muscles of the abdomen. The kinetic tape remains applied for a period of days and may optionally be reapplied to be continually refined the healing process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a brace, ideally disposable, formed from a blank and, particularly but not exclusively, a neck or limb brace wherein the brace is contoured to fit about a wearer and comprises at least one, or a series of, crease line(s) that mirror(s) the contour of at least one edge of said brace and spaced from same by a selected amount whereby said edge can be folded or torn along at least one selected crease line to fit a wearer.

Abstract: A human interface device is configured to be coupled to a trunk of a person and comprises a frame, a fabric coupled to said frame configurable to be under tensile forces, and a belt configured to be coupled to two side edges of said frame wherein when said belt is worn by said person, an area of said fabric will be pushed against the person's lower back conforming to the shape of the lower back of said person. In operation when said human interface device is worn by said person, the weight of any load coupled to or supported by said frame will be partially supported by the friction force between the area of said fabric which is pushed against the person's lower back, and the person's lower back allowing said person to carry said load.

Abstract: A garment, containing a tubular joint supporter section, the section including: a central region in an axial direction of the tubular joint supporter section, which includes a wear pressure applying region for applying wear pressure to a joint site of a body, a one-end side region positioned at one end, and an other-end side region positioned at another end side, in which the wear pressure of the wear pressure applying region is higher than an average wear pressure of the one-end and other-end side regions, and regions other than the wear pressure applying region in the section include a concave-convex structure region formed from a concave-convex structure; and a knee supporter, in which an average wear pressure A of the knee support section is higher than an average wear pressure B of the thigh side support section and the shin side support section.

Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis includes a plantar flexion limiting device that limits the plantar flexion of the foot and which is configured to provide support for a user's foot drop. The ankle-foot orthosis includes a lower leg shell including a foot support and a lower leg support, and is configured to position and/or fix a user's heel in the lower leg support. The plantar flexion motion of the foot is limited by the complementary action of elastic and non-elastic portions of the plantar flexion limiting device. The plantar flexion limiting device further leads to a dynamic return of the foot to an angle substantially equal to the angle value ?2.

Abstract: An isolating retractor instrument to protect a tongue and a cheek of a patient during a dental treatment. The isolating instrument includes a first isolating pad (A) for the tongue, and a second isolating pad (B) for the cheek. Each of the first isolating pad and the second isolating pad having a first (1) layer contacting and adhering to oral tissue, the first layer including an absorbing material for absorbing liquids, a second layer (2) including a fast-absorbing material which absorbs the liquids and holds the liquids, a third layer (3) adjacent the second layer, the third layer (3) including a reinforced, flexible material for supporting and stabilizing a respective isolating pad, and a fourth layer (4) including a reflective, smooth, flexible, and liquid-isolating material positionable to face a plurality of teeth of the patient. A flexible tape connects the first isolating pad and the second isolating pad.