Abstract: A hand therapeutic appliance, including: a splint cloth with a portion for accommodating a palm with the fingers spread apart, and a portion for covering the underside surface of the carpal joint and forearm; retainers for releasably holding the five spread apart fingers; retainers for releasably securing the wrist and/or forearm to the forearm splint portion; a plurality of first generally delta-shaped pockets positioned between adjacent fingers; a pair of second pockets extending from the finger tips toward the forearm along substantially the full length of the splint cloth, the second pockets span the space between the thumb and the forefinger and the space between the ring finger and the middle finger, respectively; a pair of third generally delta-shaped pockets, one of the third pockets extending between the pair of second pockets from the finger tips toward the wrist to span the forefinger and the middle finger, and the other of the third pockets extending from the finger tips toward the wrist to span t

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: A brace made of flexible material has two parts, a collar and a tension brace, which surround the upper and lower arm of a person. Said parts do not hinder blood circulation when the arm is set at an angle, but do exert strong pressure on the bunches of tendons of the lower arm when the muscles are contracted and produce an efficient relief termination for the epicondyles (laterally and medially) when the arm is extended.

Abstract: A massaging device consists of a body having a circular cross section formed from relatively rigid material, the body having at least one annular groove formed around its outer periphery.

Abstract: Therapeutic device for wearing by an individual on a lower extremity to facilitate rehabilitation of a injured foot, ankle and/or lower leg area by promoting venous blood flow in the injured area includes a first pressurized chamber configured for imparting fluid pressure to the injured area and a weight-responsive second chamber coactable with the first pressurized chamber for providing recurrent compression to the injured area by varying the fluid pressure imparted by the first pressurized chamber. The first pressurized chamber is dimensioned to surround substantially the injured area, and the weight-responsive chamber communicates fluidwise with the first chamber and is resiliently deformable volumewise upon impaction by a force to displace fluid alternately into and from the first pressurized chamber.

Abstract: Metatarsal pad structured with relation to the foot for which it is intended so that it bridges across the width of the five metatarsal bones; a configuration at the front is such that each metatarsal is supported just posteriorly of the head thereof and with a height to raise the heads of the metatarsals from weight bearing and transfer of the weight over a larger area. The front of the pad is characterized by a radius of curvature of about 3/16 of an inch in the vertical plane and the frontal outline in the horizontal plane is preferably convex in the central portion while being slightly concave on either side thereof; this conforms to the shape of volar surface of the metatarsal as it develops the head of each metatarsal. The alternate concave and convex frontal outlines follow a line just posterior to the head of the first metatarsal and progressing laterally just behind the head of each subsequent metatarsal. The pads are asymmetric and are provided for the left and the right foot.

Abstract: A body massage apparatus which comprises a body-encircling element having an one and other end and a rotation wheel at one end and a blunt end at the other end, each end adapted to provide rolling or direct pressure to a portion of the body on use.

Abstract: A back traction table is provided having a tiltable platform positioned on a base and including offset retainers whereby the balance point of the tiltable platform can be changed, further including a leg support which captures an individual's leg so that the individual does not slide during use of the back traction table.

Abstract: A method for mechanically stimulating the nipples of a pregnant woman for diagnostic and therapeutic effects. A nipple stimulator device is placed over a woman's nipple, and an intermittent reduced pressure is induced in the interior of the apparatus by a pump. An elastic membrane on the stimulator device is drawn inward by the reduced pressure, and in so doing acts to massage the breast nipple and the adjacent breast. A gentle, soft massage of the nipple is thereby provided to yield the desired stimulation to produce hormones, for example, useful in accelerating labor or conducting contraction stress tests in a pregnant woman.

Abstract: A brace for the knee utilizing a flexible cage tightly wrapped about the knee from which the brace structure is suspended and utilizing polycentric hinges at the cage lateral regions including arms having controlled ranges of pivotal movement, the upper hinge arms being attached to a cup embracing the thigh and the lower hinge arms attaching to a cuff affixed to the lower leg. Straps drawing the cage tightly to the knee affixed to the cuffs suspend the brace from the cage, and the polycentric hinges accurately control the extent of leg flexion and extension. The hinge arms are interconnected through a gear and rack relationship, and stops associated with the rack limit arm movement.

Abstract: A knee brace having an anterior tibial shell and a posterior femural shell which are closely configured to the shape of the leg and are joined by a closed support band which is constructed to closely track knee flexion. The brace also has anteriorly extending tabs positioned between the patella and the femural epicondyles. The combination of shell, band and tabs provides anterior-posterior, medial-lateral and rotary stability.

Abstract: An improved applicator for applying a liquid composition comprises a flexible base member having a plurality of integral alternating first and second protuberances the first protuberances having a concave cup of dimensions for holding and retaining a drop of liquid when the applicator is held upside down and second protuberances having a convex-shaped surface, the protuberances being of substantially the same diameter and projecting substantially the same distance from a planar surface.

Abstract: A compact massaging apparatus for a seat comprising a massaging unit contained within a containing part and a lower lid which can be closed and opened through an angle of 180.degree.. The massaging unit is equipped with a box which contains a pair of worm wheels installed at both sides of a worm which engages them so that they may freely rotate. Vibration isolating plates with annular elastic rising part which applies a desired pressure to the inner wall of the box are installed on one or both of the upper surface and the lower surface of the worm wheels, and massaging balls connected to the top of the shaft of the worm wheels at a desired angle to circle relatively. The vibration isolating plates prevent vibration caused by the circling movement of the massaging balls, resonance noise from the containing part, and noise from the wheels to provide an even more comfortable massaging than conventional compact massaging apparatuses.

Abstract: A compact cervical traction apparatus having a carriage which is slidably disposed over a base, the carriage carrying a head support band. A pair of springs that provide a uniform traction force over the entire range of carriage movement are enclosed within a spring housing at the rear of the base. The springs are constant force springs and an uncoiled portion of the first spring is disposed below an uncoiled portion of the second spring. The uncoiled portion of the first spring is attached to a Z-shaped member having an elongated trailing end that is mounted to the carriage so as to bias the carriage. The uncoiled portion of the second spring is attached to a lip member that is disposed to securely fit within the Z-shaped member and thereby combine the traction force of the second spring to that of the first spring. An L-shaped disengaging plate has a portion which passes between the uncoiled portions of the springs proximate attachment of the lip member to the Z-shaped member.

Abstract: A roll rotation type massaging apparatus comprises a roll rotating unit including a driving unit installed within a rotating cylinder having a cylindrical body and having supporting caps to support a driving shaft installed at both sides of the opening faces of the cylindrical body, a drum cylinder fixed on the outer face of the rotating cylinder, and a rotating roll having cylindrical bars with ellipsoidal massaging members and cylindrical supporting members loosely installed thereon which are installed at equal distances between the sides of the body of the drum cylinder along the circumference thereof and a reinforcement frame with a reinforcement bar connected between boards which supports the roll rotating unit. This compact apparatus rotates the rotating roll having ellipsoidal massaging members without using a motor belt. The ellipsoidal massaging materials of the apparatus contact the effective part of the user to massage the whole effective part evenly.

Abstract: An improved orthotic knee brace system for single and multiple posterior, anterior and lateral knee injuries includes first and second depending frameworks for attaching around a human leg, respectively, above and below the knee joint, the frameworks being hingedly interconnected for relative movement during walking. One of the frameworks bears a cammed surface adjacent the other framework, which other framework has a tibia-stabilizing force transfer mechanism in the form of a lever pivoted thereto. One arm of the lever bears an adjustable contact member adapted to contact the cammed surface, while another arm of the lever is pivotably connected to a tibia-bracing component adapted to wrap around the lower leg portion to prevent tibial displacement during knee movement, as in walking. Preferably, each framework has depending side strips connected to wrap-around leg straps, and the strips of one framework have offset members bearing the cammed surfaces.

Abstract: A tactile stimulator for causing information from a remote input source either manually or automatically to be transmitted or transposed through a converter such as a transducer or computer to an output driver to provide tactile stimulation to a user. In an preferred embodiment, a preprogrammed source of music is used to create patterns of movement and sound to create a touching and moving sensation on the body of a user to enhance the feel of the music by the user. In a manual mode, a keyboard is connected through a computer or multiplexer switching unit to permit the user to create a pattern of pleasurable or therapeutic stimulation, or to create a recorded program for later and repeated uses. In an alternative embodiment, a preprogrammed, therapeutic regime is provided to massage a user. Alternative uses of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable massaging apparatus comprises a pair of worm gears which engage with a worm on both sides thereof, a box within which the pair of worm gears are installed, and vibration isolating plates with one or more types of annular elastic projecting parts which are applied to the inner wall of said box at a certain pressure and are equipped on one or both sides of the upper and lower surfaces of the worm gears to prevent noise and vibration which occur when the worm gears rotate. In the portable massaging apparatus of this construction, little vibration is transmitted to the massaging balls and little resonance is transmitted from the case body, so that comfortable massage to parts, such as the back or the scruff of the neck of a user's body, can be provided, and acupressure effect can be expected.

Abstract: Massage appliance for the punctual massage of individual regions of the human body, especially of the reflex zones of the soles of the feet, having a massage pin (10) which can be set vibrating (stroke movements) and is simultaneously displaceable along a closed, preferably circular path (rotary movement), the direction of vibration (stroke direction) corresponding substantially to the axial direction of the massage pin (10). The massage pin (10) is connected to a vibratory body (24) which is engaged by a crank (25) drivable by a electric motor (19) via a reduction gear (21, 23). Associated with the vibratory body (24) is a vibration apparatus (stroke apparatus) consisting of a guide lever (26) which is secured beneath the vibratory body (24) to an axially slidable rod (27).

Abstract: A cervical traction device utilized on conventional traction tables which applies a tractive force to the back of the patient's skull approximate the occipital bone through the use of two V-shaped arms which are adjustably positioned behind the patient's head and mounted on a sliding carriage which has adjustable weights attached thereto. The carriage in turn slides on a stationary track which can be vertically and laterally adjusted to vary the flexion-extension angle.