Abstract: A cervical fascia release board is provided to help relieve tension or tightness in the muscles in the head and neck area of the user. The board is formed of a base which includes a back rest area for the user and upstanding head/neck area and head supports attached to the base. The board is used by resting the occipital portion of the head and neck area on one support and as the muscles relax, the head gradually tilts back to rest on the other support. The head support is adjustable to the individual needs of the user.

Abstract: In a combination of a cleaning device of a cylinder of an offset sheet-fed press and a cylinder to be cleaned, the cleaning device is provided with a blade member as a cleaning cloth pressing member against the cylinder to be cleaned, the blade member having a relatively sharp edge pressing the cleaning cloth against the cylinder. The cylinder is an impression cylinder provided with sheet holding grippers projecting over the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder. The grippers are protected so as not to directly contact the cleaning cloth under the pressed condition by locating cam members to cover the grippers or by locating a cleaning device moving mechanism in a manner such that when the grippers approach the blade member during the rotation of the impression cylinder, the cleaning device is moved away therefrom.

Abstract: An acupressure type rhinitis therapeutic device has at least three heat transfer acupressure members for transferring thermal stimulus from a heat source to a first acupressure point at the center of a glabella and to second acupressure points at opposite bottom sides of a nasal bone which are all effective acupoints in rhinitis therapy, which permits a user to obtain improved nasal blood circulation. A fire is not required as opposed to moxibution so that rhinitis can easily and safely be treated even at home. Further, there is little difference in the positions of the first and second acupressure points among individuals so that the rhinitis therapeutic device can be mass-produced.

Abstract: A facial and body massage apparatus for skin cleansing and exfoliation is disclosed as having an applicator with a handle and a skin cleansing/exfoliation element for contacting the face or body of a user. The skin cleansing/exfoliation element is constructed to rotate about an axis aligned with the handle while also orbiting in a path about the aforementioned rotational axis to re-position the skin cleansing/exfoliation element continuously about the rotational axis during rotation thereof. The method of the present invention includes applying a continuously-rotating skin cleansing/exfoliation element to the facial or body skin of a user, and simultaneously continuously-orbiting same in an orbiting path about the axis of rotation of the skin cleansing/exfoliation element, to provide maximum surface area contact while reducing heat and skin irritation as well as uneven wear of the skin cleansing/exfoliation element.

Abstract: A supportive cover to enclose a patient's joint such as a wrist, knee or elbow, the cover includes a sheet of sheepskin which is tightly wrapped around the user's joint with the fleece abutting the skin, with securing strips being provided to ensure that the sheet is wrapped tightly around the joint to inhibit without immobilizing movement thereof.

Abstract: A rotatable treatment table for effecting extensions and flexions of the spine. The treatment table includes a weighted platform adapted to rest upon a floor. Rigid support elements having upper and lower ends are provided. Further provided is an extensible elevation member having a lower and an upper end, the lower end secured to the platform, in which the rotational movement of the upper end of the extensible elevation member relative to the lower end occurs. Yet further provided is a rectangular supportive frame proportioned to extend beyond the length of the body of a patient. The rigid support is pivotally secured near its center of gravity to the upper end of the rigid elevation member. Further, it is pivotally secured to the upper end of the extensible elevation member. The pivotal securements permit the support frame to define a selectable curved path relative to the platform.

Abstract: An orthopedic vest having a posterior and anterior portion fastenable at opposite sides of the user and which when fastened applies an inward force toward the sagittal plane of the body of the user. The vest adjustably supports front and rear yokes each having shoulder harness portions which are attachable over the shoulder of the user. Front and rear support rods are also secured to the anterior and posterior vest portion for adjustably securing a halo about the head of the user. Preferably the rods, halo and associated brackets are of a non-ferrous material for compatibility with CT, NMR and X-ray procedures. The halo consists of a ring having opposite temporal sections, a frontal section and a posterior section. The posterior section or loop is preferably elevated for access to the skull portion of the user.

Abstract: An orthopaedic belt apparatus applicable to any one of several parts of the body consisting of an elastomeric section sized to encompass lumbar muscle groups of the body wearing the orthopaedic belt and having distal ends thereof, a pair of non-stretch sections of generally rectangular configuration, each section having a first end and a second end, the first end of each section in securement to a distal end of the elastomeric section and the second end of each section sized to be at the front of the body but not meeting the other section's second end when the orthopaedic belt is placed around a portion of the body, a pull strap in selective securement to the second ends of the sections for urging the elastomeric section of the orthopaedic belt into tensioned engagement with the lumbar muscle groups, a foamatitious layer of material interposed between the orthopaedic belt and adjacent body portions, and a three dimensional pad member disposed between the foamatitious layer material and the elastomeric section

Abstract: The invention relates to a massage appliance for foot reflex-zone massage, with several massage rollers which are arranged axis-parallel and are mounted so as to be freely rotatable in a frame and the approximately cylindrical outer surface of which has elevations of differing radial height arranged distributed over the roller length and the roller circumference. In order to improve the massage effect, the roller elevations are made bead-like and respectively extend annularly round at least a part circumference of the outer surface. An endless running belt is guided round the massage rollers. A motor drive is provided for the running belt, the running direction being transverse relative to the axes of rotation of the massage rollers.

Abstract: A traction assembly for placing a human body in traction under the inclined weight of the body for medical or therapeutic reasons. The major trunk portion of the body is supported on a movable platform. The body extremities, including the head and the ankles, are fixed relative to a frame. The platform is movable relative to the frame under the influence of gravity when the frame is placed at an inclination. The degree of traction placed on the body is dependent upon the weight of the body and the inclination of the frame with respect to a horizontal orientation. The frame can be reciprocated between first and second positions to place the body in gentle oscillating traction.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for decompressing the spine from a seated position. Two triangular sides having forearm supports which can be set at an angle to the horizontal plane with the angle having a range of 20.degree.-45.degree. and is attached through cross members and have hand grips mounted adjacent the forearm supports. The apparatus rests on a floor, the ground, a chair or similar subsurface. The user positions himself in a seated position between the sides and raises his body by pressing downward with his forearms and hands, thus unloading and decompressing the spine and lumbar back. An optional harness suspended from above the person may be used to maintain continuous decompression of the lower spine between the upward movements executed by the user, or lower body restraints may be used to permit decompression of only the upper spine. An optional back flexion bar may be used to provide additional directions of movement to the spine.

Abstract: The present invention is an emergency medical cervical collar suitable for land or water rescue operations. The collar more completely immobilizes the cervical portion of the victim's spine, and can be rapidly placed on the victim with minimal disturbance to the cervical portion of the spine. The collar includes generally U-shaped front and rear halves which are flexible, light weight, non-toxic, water resistant and buoyant in water. A flexible strap fastener is coupled to the rear collar half. Strap fastener guides are coupled to the front collar half so as to swivel thereon. Opposite end portions of the strap fastener are threaded through the strap fastener guides, and the strap fastener end portions are folded back and drawn evenly through the guides. The guides swivel as the collar halves are drawn together whereby the collar halves self-align.

Abstract: A brace for supporting a joint formed of a plurality of joint members is disclosed. The brace includes first and second frame members disposed on opposite sides of the joint to be supported, and first and second hinge members disposed substantially adjacent the joint and connected to the frame members to pivot the frame members about the joint. The frame members may be formed of separable portions engageable with each other at variable locations along the length thereof. Adjustment of the engagement location being effective to vary the orientation of at least one of the frame member portions with respect to at least one of the hinges. The brace is therefore adjustable to conform to lateral curvature of the joint members. The hinge members may be formed to regulate rotation of at least one of the frame members about the joint to provide close support to the joint members during unlocking of the joint.

Abstract: A sedentary traction and support unit for supporting the lumbosacral spine comprises a girdle with a U-shaped frame secured thereto. The girdle is secured about the patient's torso while the U-shaped frame extends below the girdle and engages the top surface of a seat. This permits the lower body weight to create traction. The unit provides relief to patients while they are sitting either on a chair, or the like, or on a vehicle seat.

Abstract: An improved body massaging device which is particularly suited to massaging the back and spinal area is disclosed. The device comprises a body supporting surface having an axially reciprocable carriage means positioned generally thereabove. A massaging assembly is attached to and extends downwardly from the carriage means. The massaging assembly includes at least one body contacting means operative to exert pressure upon a human body positioned on the body supporting surface while undergoing axial reciprocation along the length of the subject's spine. The body supporting surface may comprise a standard examining table or any other horizontal surface upon which a human being may lie in a generally prone position. The body contacting means of the massaging assembly may comprise two separate rotatable massage wheels positioned such that one wheel will contact the body on each lateral side of the subject's spine while the subject lies in a prone position on the body supporting surface.

Abstract: A footrest includes a heater, a vibrating motor and massaging rollers in a compact, lightweight panel construction that is selectively positionable on a base over a range of angles relative to horizontal.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided comprising first adjustable means for engaging the knee and providing support to the patella without hindering normal tracking movement thereof, and second adjustable means for fastening said first adjustable means in engagement with the knee. In an alternatively preferred embodiment, at least third adjustable means are provided for engaging the knee and providing enhanced support to the knee joint, namely, in the infra patella region.

Abstract: An extension deceleration orthotic fulcrum for knee and elbow braces, which simulates performance of the function of those ligaments that control joint motion and provide anteroposterior joint stability, comprising a lightweight, external spring assembly, upper and lower elongated arms, and centric or polycentric fulcrum, which is adjustable for its range of motion, adaptable for use on many different style orthoses, and whose strength can be varied to suit corrective, preventive, anthropomorphic, environmental, and usage requirements, including means both for mechanically dampening the limb's angular velocity on extension to prevent hyperextension and for accelerating the limb's angular velocity on flexion to enable quicker, smoother, less stressful motion.

Abstract: In a program of regular vascular exercise involves repeating cycles of blood movement, for example, each vascular exercise period of one hour may involve twenty cycles. In each cycle pressurizing apparatus under control of a timing arrangement inflates and deflates a series of pressure cuffs around each limb, for example, each limb has seven cuffs. The cuffs at the limbs are inflated in sequence starting with the cuff nearest the limb extremity to provide a peristaltic-like action. The inflation of all the limb cuffs forces blood toward the trunk of the body. The trunk cuff is pulsed at the same time the limb cuffs are maintained inflated.

Abstract: A method for the prevention or alleviation of a condition of osteoporosis which includes the step of placing a patient in a standing position upon a platform at a first level and repeatedly raising the platform to a second level and causing it to drop to said first level, thereby imparting force to the bones of the subject standing upon the platform for strengthening of and growth-promotion in the same, and means for carrying out the said method, are disclosed.