Abstract: A pelvic traction device inlcudes two detachably coupled belts that cooperate with each other to enable the device to be used over a wide range of patient sizes.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for adjusting the pressure applied in the multiple cells of an inflatable medical garment with the pressure adjustment being achieved by a drive apparatus interconnecting adjustable pressure regulating devices, the drive apparatus and the respective pressure regulating devices including adjustment elements which permit adjustment of each pressure regulating device independently of others of the pressure regulating devices such that the drive apparatus may be utilized to adjust, in unison, multiple pressure regulating devices having selectively variable pressure differential relationship between any pair of the multiple pressure regulating devices.

Abstract: An extracorporeal kidney stone disintegrator comprises an ellipsoidal reflector having an open end. A spark gap is positioned in said reflector at the first focus point thereof. A flexible cap closes the otherwise open end of said reflector, and a body of liquid fills said reflector and said cap. The cap is adapted for disposition against a human body having therein a concretion such as a kidney stone to be disintegrated. The reflector is positioned so that the concretion lies on the second focus point of the reflector. Generation of a spark across said spark gap causes generation of a shock wave focused on the concretion and coupled to the concretion by the body of liquid and the tissues of the body through the cap. The cap has an annular pleat enhancing flexibility of the cap.

Abstract: A scalp massager has a main body provided on the rear end thereof with a grip portion, a base portion, a pair of supporting arms projecting laterally from the base portion and spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the base portion, a roller member rotatably mounted between the arms for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base portion, the roller member being provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof with a multiplicity of scalp stimulating projections, and compression springs for resiliently biasing the roller member away from the grip portion. The user grips the grip portion and lightly presses the roller member onto his head, and moves the massager back and forth so that the roller member rolls on the scalp with the result that the projections stimulate blood vessels under the scalp so as to enhance the blood stream.

Abstract: A variable field imprinter is provided including a platen carriage adapted to be reciprocated over an imprinting surface and then locked in a position to one side of the imprinting surface by a releasable blocking system. The blocking system consists of (i) a platen carriage blocking mechanism and (ii) a digit wheel sensing mechanism these two mechanisms must be interconnected by a credit card. Resetting of at least one of the digit wheels provides a force from the digit wheel sensing mechanism which is transmitted by the credit card to the platen carriage blocking mechanism to disarm the blocking system so that the platen carriage can be moved for imprinting.

Abstract: There is described a novel therapeutic weight dispersing shoe sole having an extended width sole surface under the forward half of the foot with skates along both the medial and lateral extensions of such extended sole and preferably with an added heel lift. The therapeutic weight dispersing shoe sole has been found to reduce pressure exerted in a limited area of the plantar surfaces of the foot and to be especially useful for wearers subject to insensitivity of the feet.

Abstract: An improved cervical traction apparatus comprises a cradle including a bowl-shaped cranial cavity for supporting the head of a user and an occipital shelf support comprising a concave wall extending across the cradle. The cradle is secured on a base assembly which provides for movement of the cradle relative thereto to provide for both independent horizontal and vertical plane movements.

Abstract: A back massager device which comprises a back support, a footrest connected adjacent to one end of the back support and a headrest connected to the opposite end of the back support. The back support is positioned on resilient padding placed on a support table. The back support is preferably in the form of a pair of spaced longitudinally extending bars inserted in a cushioning material. A first series of vibrators is connected to one of the support bars and a second series of vibrators is connected to the other support bar. In the preferred embodiment, the vibrators each comprise an electrical coil, a magnet associated with the coil for actuation thereby, the magnet being mounted on a vibratable arm, and a member connecting the arm and a support bar for vibration thereof in response to actuation of the magnet by the coil. Structure in the form of an adjustable screw is provided on the vibratable arm for varying the amount of vibration transmitted to the support bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cervico-thoracic orthosis and method for preventing relative motion between the cervical spine and thorax of a patient. The device bears on only certain specific local areas or sites on the surface of the thorax which are part of the thorax itself and which move only minimally relative to it. The device derives no substantial support from any site on the body which is highly movable relative to the thorax. A halo ring for engaging the skull is rigidly supported by the device.

Abstract: A chiropractic table having a feature that facilitates the treatment of rotatory scoliosis and scoliosis of the spine. The chest-lumbar section of the table is mounted so that it can both pivot and slide thus producing a swinging movement about a central pivot point located above the longitudinal axis of the table. This type of movement is beneficial in the treatment of scoliosis. The mounting structure of the chest-lumbar section is such that the section can be raised or lowered to accommodate the particular anatomy of the patient and also provides for inclusion in the section of the drop feature used in the treatment of scoliosis and other conditions.

Abstract: A deep friction orthosis enhancing the effectiveness of the human hand in the application of deep friction massage therapy. The orthosis includes a partial enclosure having a finger support proportioned to rigidly engage the finger(s); and at least a wrist support integral with the finger(s) support, proportioned to rigidly engage support and direct at least one finger of the hand of the user in a direction having utility in the practice of deep friction massage. The finger support means includes sufficient opening for at least the tip of the supported finger to touch the treated patient's skin.

Abstract: A vibratory massage device for use in conjunction with therapeutic exercises. The device has several belts of varying sizes, to which one or two vibrator units can be releasably attached for use on various body parts. An elastic band on each belt firmly presses the vibratory unit against the belt web when the belt is tightened, so as to prevent irritation-producing movement between the belt and the patient's skin. The motor of the vibratory unit is provided with a carrier bearing and eccentric-operated air flow means to permit miniaturization of the vibratory unit without loss of effectiveness.

Abstract: A body massager includes a casing having handles at opposite sides disposed in planes mutually at right angles, for ease of manipulation of the massager. A massage head is mounted in the casing for pivotal rocking movement about a transverse axis and has a contoured massage surface for imparting a percussive massage action to a patient. The massage head is driven from an electric motor by a dynamically balanced eccentric driving a connecting rod connected to the massage head by way of a resilient link that can be adjusted to vary the amplitude of the rocking motion.

Abstract: An eyelid splint is provided for comfortably immobilizing the lid of an injured or diseased eye. The splint consists of a soft, resilient pad, preferably of synthetic foam having a thickness of at least 7 mm, having a backing which is attached to two elastic straps. The straps have adjustable interengaging fasteners to permit adjustment of the pressure on the eyelid to be between 23 and 40 mm Hg.

Abstract: A floating center variable radius splint or hinge for adjustably permitting angular motion of a body joint, to which the splint is connected, through a preselected angular range terminating at adjustably preselected minima and maxima and for preventing joint motion outside the range, includes a longitudinally extending spine adapted to flexibly bend, in response to joint motion, in a first transverse direction.

Abstract: A device for manipulative therapy has a base and two support plates carried above the base by a plurality of links pivoted to the base and the respective plates. The links are disposed at angles such that the plates are movable in arcuate paths away from each other and towards the base. A control, mounted on the base beneath each plate has a spring biased spool engaging the respective plate. The spool has a groove engaged by a detent when the respective plate is in its uppermost position, requiring a predetermined force to be applied to the upper surface of the plate to produce downward, arcuate movement of that plate.

Abstract: A massaging machine comprises a roller brush having a plurality of radially extending flexible fingers thereon, the brush rotating about a horizontal axis so that the fingers massage a person lying below the brush. The brush is slidable horizontally on a cantilevered frame which is swingable about a horizontal axis and is counterweighted, the position of the counterweight being adjustable so as to adjust the pressure with which the fingers of the roller brush contact the user. The brush is bodily slidable along the horizontal frame, and a counterweight is automatically slidable in the opposite direction as the brush, to maintain constant the pressure of the brush on the user. The fingers of the brush are releasably retained by a horizontal member, immediately before they contact the user, so that the fingers are bent back and then snap against the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to maintain vertebrae in a desired relationship. The apparatus includes a rod, a plurality of clamps, and a plurality of fastener assemblies. The method invovles inserting threaded members into openings in a displaced vertebra and at least one vertebra on each side of the displaced vertebra. A clamp is placed on each fastener. The rod is bent to correspond to a desired spinal curvature and inserted into the clamps. A nut is tightened on each threaded member to hold the clamp to each vertebra and to press the clamp against the rod to hold the rod against axial and rotational movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for massaging mountable behind the back of a chair and capable of being moved vertically to provide relaxing massage to a user sitting on the chain. A reversible motor mechanism provides the rotational motion to a clutch assembly that selectively engages one of two gear assemblies that in turn activate two different linkage and reciprocating mechanisms that simulate or follow the movements of the fingers of a conventional masseur.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic support device for body portions employs a pliable wrap which encircles the body portion and which has a pocket which receives a thermo-formable bracing element. A pocket-forming panel is secured only partially to the wrap for allowing the wrap to stretch more readily to mold with contours of the body portion. The invention further includes a process for fitting the device to a body portion with quick closure of the pocket for enhanced safety and for rapid molding of the bracing element to body contours.