Abstract: Devices and methods for assisting breathing in a subject are described. In one embodiment, a device includes a splint that can be used to apply negative distending pressure, i.e., outward pull, to one or both of the chest walls and/or the abdomen of a subject. The splint may include an air bladder that can be attached to the skin of the subject's chest and/or abdomen. When the air bladder is inflated, negative distending pressure is applied to the subject's chest and/or abdomen, thereby assisting or promoting respiration. The inflated air bladder may also apply a compressive force on the chest to facilitate expiration, and the removal of secretions in the airways.

Abstract: A balance training system includes a moving carriage moving on a moving surface by driving a driving unit, and calculates a load's center of gravity of the training person's feet on a boarding surface from the detected load. The system sets a stable range. The stable range is a range of the load's center. The training person is estimated to maintain upright on the boarding surface in the range. The system controls movement of the moving carriage in a mode selected between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the driving unit drives under drive control predicting that the calculated load's center shifts within a first range set inside the stable range. In in the second mode, the driving unit drives under drive control predicting that the calculated load's center shifts to a second range set outside the first range inside the stable range.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an assisted exoskeleton rehabilitation device, comprising: a back structure comprising a back crossbeam, a back supporting panel with an adjustable length, and a shoulder pneumatic muscle element mounted on the back supporting panel; an arm structure; a shoulder joint assembly, by which the arm structure is connected to an upper end of the back structure; and a waist structure. An upper end of the back supporting panel is fixedly connected to the back crossbeam, and a lower end thereof is fixedly connected to the waist structure. The shoulder joint assembly comprises a curved shoulder joint connecting panel, a shoulder traction wheel, a shoulder traction line, a first hinge mechanism and a second hinge mechanism.

Abstract: A lightweight impeller is provided for use in a pressurised gas source for a CPAP or other breathing assistance apparatus. The impeller can be shroudless or otherwise lightweight.

Abstract: The inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are generally directed to an improved assisted walking device, such as a cane, walker or wheelchair, that includes an integrated oxygen concentrator housed within the assisted walking device. In some embodiments, for example, the improved assisted walking device includes a handle, a control pad, an elongated housing having an interior chamber, an oxygen concentrator, a leg member and a foot member. The oxygen concentrator detachably positioned within the interior chamber of the elongated housing and including an adsorption system configured to generate a flow of oxygen enriched gas, a compressor that includes a motor, a battery, a plurality of sieve beds configured to extract oxygen-enriched gas from ambient air, and a controller in communication with the control pad.

Abstract: A cooling attachment module for use with a vibration therapy device that includes a housing and/or heat sink member that includes inner and outer walls and defines a central opening axially therethrough. A cooling recess is defined in an upper surface and a connection recess is defined in a lower surface of the heat sink member. A cover member is secured over the cooling recess. A controllable temperature element is positioned on an upper surface of the heat sink member. A spreader member is positioned on an upper surface of the controllable temperature element. An upper surface of the spreader member is positioned above an upper surface of the cover member to contact a user's body part. The controllable temperature element is configured to transfer thermal energy to a lower surface of the spreader member. A base portion that includes an electrical connector is secured under the electrical recess.

Abstract: The invention discloses a water toothpick, which includes a high-pressure gas generator, a water tank, a valve, a nozzle assembly and a water supply, wherein the high-pressure gas generator is communicated with the nozzle assembly, the valve is arranged between the high-pressure gas generator and the nozzle assembly, and the water supply is respectively communicated with the water tank and the nozzle assembly, so as to convey water in the water tank to the nozzle assembly. When the water toothpick is used, the high-pressure gas generator transmits generated high-pressure gas to the valve, and after a certain amount of water is stored in the nozzle assembly, the valve is opened, and the high-pressure gas at the valve is instantaneously discharged into the nozzle assembly, mixed with the water in the nozzle assembly to form compressed vapor, and then sprayed out from the nozzle assembly to complete one cleaning action.

Abstract: A tissue expander having a shell, an opening in the shell in communication with an external vacuum source to apply a vacuum within the shell and impart a distracting force to expand tissue, and a rim connected to the shell and adapted to be in contact with a skin of a patient. The rim is non-fixedly attached to the skin of the patient and moves laterally outwardly with respect to the shell under application of the vacuum.

Abstract: An inhalation-synchronized fluid dispenser device having a body (10; 10?) provided with a mouthpiece (400), a fluid reservoir (100) containing a fluid and a propellant gas being mounted to slide axially in the body (10; 10?), a metering valve (200) including a valve member (210) assembled on the reservoir (100) for selectively dispensing the fluid. The device includes an actuator element (500, 500?, 500?; 550) movable and/or deformable between a non-actuation position and an actuation position; an inhalation-controlled trigger system including an inhalation-sensitive member (60, 61; 65, 66) deformable and/or movable under the effect of inhaling and when deformed and/or moved, moving and/or deforming the actuator element (500, 500?, 500?; 550) from its non-actuation position towards its actuation position; an electronic dose counter (1000); and a signal-transmitter (1100) for communicating, in particular communicating remotely, information relating to the actuations of the device.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, device (1) for enhancing the delivery of CPR to a patient. The device (1) comprises: a patient side (3) for engagement with the chest of the patient; and a user side (2) for engagement with the hands of a user delivering CPR to the patient. One or more of the patient side (3) and the user side (2) is at least partially formed of a non-Newtonian fluid, the viscosity of which is configured to vary in response to the application of energy so as to regulate a force distribution profile of the device (1) from a force applied to the device (1) by the user and transferred through the device (1) to the patient. According to other aspects, there is provided a control method for a cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, device and a computer program which, when executed on a computing device, carries out a control method for a cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, device.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal treatment system including a gastrointestinal capsule adapted to treat a subject following ingestion of the gastrointestinal capsule. The gastrointestinal capsule includes: (a) a housing; (b) a vibrating agitator, powered by the battery, the vibrating agitator adapted such that, in a first vibrating mode of operation, the housing exerts vibrations on an environment surrounding the capsule; (c) a power supply disposed within the housing and adapted to power the vibrating agitator; and (d) a controller adapted, in response to receipt of an activation input, to activate the vibrating agitator to operate in the first vibrating mode of operation at at least one predetermined time of day. The system and method may be used to treat an ailment of the gastrointestinal tract and/or to mitigate at least one symptom of jetlag in a subject travelling from an origin location to a destination location.

Abstract: A dilution spacer for a metered-dose inhaler comprises an enclosure defining a dilution chamber. An ambient air inlet and an outlet are in fluid communication with the dilution chamber. The ambient air inlet is positioned opposite the outlet whereby suction through the outlet from outside the enclosure draws ambient air into the enclosure through the ambient air inlet to generate an airflow path from the ambient air inlet through the dilution chamber and out of the outlet. The dilution spacer may include an actuator inlet configured to securely releasably interengage a metered-dose inhaler actuator mouthpiece, or may include a receptacle having an actuator nozzle and configured to receive a metered-dose inhaler canister, A metered-dose inhaler plume entering the dilution chamber intersects the airflow path thereto and airflow along the airflow path entrains and redirects at least a portion of the metered-dose inhaler plume toward the outlet.

Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.

Abstract: Provided is a wearable assisted-walking device including one lower attachment body to the foot defining a lower anchoring point at the heel of the foot of a leg of the user; an upper attachment body to an upper part of the leg proximal from the knee defining an upper ventral anchoring point and an upper dorsal anchoring point arranged on the opposite side of the coronal plane of the user; and an intermediate attachment body defining a first intermediate anchoring point, a second intermediate anchoring point and a third intermediate anchoring point, each anchoring point movable respect and connected by cables to the leg; the intermediate attachment body being adapted to store the energy by a relative motion between the anchoring points and then use it for assist walking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clip (2) that is disposed in the lock section of dry powder inhaler devices (1) and that has a beak-shaped first end (4) with a retaining tab (3) at the end thereof, a housing (9) through which a pin (11) connected to the device body (10) at the center section thereof passes, and a second tab (8) at a second end (7) thereof, wherein the second end (7) of said clip (2) is composed of two pieces, namely an upper piece (5) and a lower piece (6), and said pieces (5, 6) are joined at the beak-shaped first end (4).

Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator designed for medical use where the sieve beds, adsorbers, are designed to be replaced by a patient. The concentrator is designed so that the beds are at least partially exposed to the outside of the system and can be easily released by a simple user-friendly mechanism. Replacement beds may be installed easily by patients, and all gas seals will function properly after installation.

Abstract: A trunk supporting exoskeleton comprises: a supporting trunk; thigh links configured to move in unison with a wearer's thighs; and first and second torque generators located on both left and right halves of the wearer substantially close to the wearer's hip. The torque generators couple the supporting trunk to the thigh links, and generate torque between the thigh links and the supporting trunk. When the wearer bends forward such that a predetermined portion of the supporting trunk passes beyond a predetermined angle from vertical, a torque generator(s) imposes a resisting torque between the supporting trunk and the thigh link(s), causing the supporting trunk to impose a force against the wearer's trunk, and the thigh link(s) to impose a force onto the wearer's thigh. When the predetermined portion does not pass beyond the predetermined angle, the torque generators impose no resisting torques between said supporting trunk and respective thigh links.

Abstract: A lip-enhancement device can include a vacuum pump, a controller configured to control the vacuum pump, a pump housing structured to enclose the vacuum pump and the controller, and a mouthpiece reversibly and rigidly mountable to the pump housing. The mouthpiece can include a pump-housing-engaging side structured to reversibly mount to the pump housing on a mouthpiece-receiving side of the pump housing, and a lips-engaging side having a generally oval rim with a thermoplastic elastomer outer layer. The generally oval rim can bound a bowl, and the bowl can include a suction port providing fluidic communication between an interior of the bowl and an exterior of the bowl on the pump-housing-engaging side. The mouthpiece-receiving side of pump housing can include a suction connector structured to fluidically couple the suction port of the mouthpiece with the vacuum pump when the mouthpiece is mounted to the pump housing.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.

Abstract: A system and method to assist a user to overcome an interruption of service between the brain and the legs including several subsystems configured to be progressively removed to provide decreasing levels of lower trunk and leg support.