Abstract: System and method for providing both powered and free swing operation in a powered orthotic exoskeleton joint. The joint includes a processor controllable ratchet wheel and pawl type clutch, configured to engage or disengage upon receiving force from a servo actuator. When the processor determines that the clutch should be engages, it directs the powered actuator to couple the pawls to the ratchet wheel, allowing torque to be transferred from the joint's powered motor, through the clutch, to the gearing that subsequently controls the motion of the joint. Conversely, the processor can direct the powered actuator to decouple the pawls from the ratchet wheel. This in turn decouples the ratchet wheel from the motor, thus allowing the remainder of the joint and any associated joint gearing to engage in relatively free swing motion, without any interference from the motor.

Abstract: A motion assistance apparatus may include a first fixing member to be fixed to a portion of a user, a second fixing member to be fixed to another portion of the user, a driving source provided in the first fixing member, a power transmitting member connected between the driving source and the second fixing member, a sensing portion to sense a fixing state of the first fixing member or the second fixing member, and a controller to control the driving source based on information received from the sensing portion.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment device can include a removable cup portion. The cup portion can be removably couple to a weighted head. The weighted head can be connected to a first end of a shaft. A second end of the shaft can be connected to a handle. A center of gravity of the device along a length of the device can be modified by increasing or decreasing the weight of the handle and/or of the weighted head. A user of the treatment device can tap a patient with the cup portion of the device. The weighted head can increase deflection in shaft of the device during use.

Abstract: A temperature control garment arranged to be worn on a user's torso including a bladder defining a chamber for receiving a supply of gas, the bladder including a back portion which is arranged to overlie at least a portion of a user's back. An arrangement of holes is provided in the bladder for directing gas supplied to the chamber towards the user's body so as to modify the temperature of the user's body. The garment also includes a breathing duct coupled to the bladder for receiving a supply of gas, the breathing duct having at least one duct outlet for delivering the gas supplied to the breathing duct to the user.

Abstract: A walking training device provides substantial fixation of the user's feet against a movable footplate in the direction of the user's stride while allowing toe lift and heel lift necessary for natural walking. The harness system provides an approximation of a shallow crossed four-bar linkage to provide angulation without substantial translation.

Abstract: A massage apparatus is provided with a movable base frame at the bottom, a massage mechanism and a pressure sensing and adapting drive mechanism. The massage mechanism and the pressure sensing and adapting drive mechanism are provided on the movable base frame. The massage mechanism has a left and a right clamp plate, a linking post, a malaxation part and a pummelling part. The left and right clamp plates are fixedly provided on the movable base frame, and the malaxation part and the pummelling part are provided between the left and right clamp plates. The massage apparatus automatically senses the massage pressure and automatically adjusts the massage pressure in real-time within a provided pressure range according to the different body types of users. The massage apparatus automatically adapts to changes in the height and the curvature of the back of the human body in the course of massaging.

Abstract: A method of flowing a medicament including dry powder using gas, including preparing a medicament capsule with designated inflow and outflow apertures, introducing a volume of a gas to within a medicament capsule according to one or more release conditions, and releasing a therapeutically effective amount of the powder using the gas. In some embodiments, the medicament capsule apertures are prepared and/or gas delivered to it so that deagglomeration potentially occurs largely within the energetic flow conditions of the capsule, without significant trapping of residual powder by structures such as aperture edge irregularities.

Abstract: A cushion assembly (16) for use in a patient interface device (10) includes a cushion member having a sealing flap (24) adapted to sealing engage a user's face about at least one of an oral orifice or nasal orifices of the user. The cushion member defines a cavity (30) therein accessible via an opening generally defined by the sealing flap. The cushion assembly further includes a stabilizing member (16b) having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end and the second end being selectively coupled to the sealing flap such that the stabilizing member spans across at least a portion of the opening.

Abstract: A massage apparatus in which both a massage mechanism and a warm-cool air supply section are housed inside a backrest. The massage apparatus includes a backrest for supporting a user's back; and a massage mechanism disposed inside the backrest for producing massage action on user's back. The backrest has a front side with a two-layer structure. A warm-cool air supply section is provided that is capable of feeding warm or cool air into an interlayer region of the two-layer structure. The massage mechanism can be moved up and down along the lengthwise direction of the backrest. The warm-cool air supply section is located outside of a movement area which is the range of up-and-down movement of the massage mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating device, including a heater element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; a power source connected to the heater element; and a controller connected to the heater element and to the power source, wherein the controller is configured to control the power supplied to the heater element from the power source to maintain the temperature of the heater element at a target temperature, and is configured to compare a measure of power supplied to the heater element or energy supplied to the heater element from the power source to a threshold measure of power or energy to detect the presence of an aerosol-forming substrate close to the heater element or a material property of an aerosol-forming substrate close to the heater element.

Abstract: A method for maintaining and/or increasing body temperature of a patient may involve delivering heat to a first location on a limb of the patient, delivering heat to a second location on the limb, apart from the first location, and applying intermittent compression to a third location on the limb, located between the first location and the second location. A device for maintaining and/or increasing body temperature of a patient may include a sleeve for positioning over at least part of one of the patient's limbs, first and second heat delivery members coupled with the sleeve, and an intermittent compression member coupled with the sleeve between the first and second heat delivery members.

Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.

Abstract: A hot stone therapy and acupressure roller including a specially designed rod where hollow, cylindrical stones, along with acupressure pins, are spaced along the rod. As the rod is applied to the body, the attached stones roll and acupressure may be applied. Targeted acupressure can be applied on either side of the rod, and the acupressure pins serve to bold the cylindrical stones and spacers in place. The stones can be inserted onto the rod or used individually. The stones can be used to conduct a cold and/or hot stone massage. Additionally, each end of the rod is shaped for use as a massage tool. When using either end of the rod as a massage tool, the acupressure pins serve to improve grip and increase leverage.

Abstract: A method of controlling a compression device controls a vent phase of a compression device having an inflatable bladder capable of being pressurized for applying compression to a part of a subject's body. The method includes delivering pressurized fluid from a source of pressurized fluid to a first inflatable bladder disposed about a portion of the subject's body and venting the pressurized fluid from the first inflatable bladder by opening a first valve. The method further includes monitoring fluid pressure in the first inflatable bladder during the venting of the first inflatable bladder. Based at least in part on the monitored fluid pressure, the first valve is selectively closed and selectively reopened to control fluid pressure in the first inflatable bladder to remain within a desired residual pressure range.

Abstract: A portable therapeutic apparatus is disclosed. The portable therapeutic apparatus may include a handle, a protrusion, a resistance element, and an adjustment element attached to the handle. The handle may include a first slot that houses the resistance element. The protrusion may include an indentation. The resistance element may include an elastic element.

Abstract: A system provides compression of a limb of a patient and out-of-axis restraint of a joint of the limb being compressed and application of vibration to a first end of the limb so that the vibration is transmitted through the first end of the limb, the compressed joint, and through the remainder of the limb.

Abstract: A method for determining a characteristic such as partial pressure or percentage of a gaseous constituent in a first gas mixture flow in a flow chamber in which there is alternating flow in opposite directions between the first gas mixture flow and a second gas mixture flow. The steps may include a) introducing the first gas mixture flow into a sensing chamber when the first gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, b) preventing introduction of gas from the flow chamber into the sensing chamber at least when the second gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, c) sensing the characteristic of the first gas mixture flow in the sensing chamber.

Abstract: Methods to provide customized skin care by using specimen dispensing device to dispense specimens from removable dispensers for the purpose of treating skin of a user are presented. Methods to utilize the embedded memory and electrical interface of the dispensing device and dispensers to produce customizable skin care products that give better skin treatment results are also presented. The invention may also be applied to health care and personal care needs.

Abstract: An apparatus for reanimation of a patient that includes a plunger driven by a drive to perform a compressive massage on the patient's body, a position measuring device that measures the respective position of the plunger during its compressive massaging motion, and a holding device for the drive and the plunger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stimulation device (1) for erogenous zones, in particular for the clitoris (12), which device (1) has at least one pressure field generator (2) with at least a first chamber (3) and at least a second chamber (4) with at least one opening (42) for placing onto a body part (11), and at least one connection element (5) which connects the first chamber (3) to the second chamber (4), and with a drive unit (6) which changes the volume of the first chamber (3) in such a way that, by way of the connection element (5), a pressure field is generated in the second chamber (4) and serves for stimulation; and a control device (7) which controls the drive unit (6).