Abstract: A treatment force application device includes a proximal end having a weight and having a support for a practitioner; a distal end having a treatment interface configured for applying a therapeutic treatment including at least a treatment force; and a connection between the support and the treatment interface. The connection is lockably adjustable by the practitioner to establish a placement of the treatment interface relative to the support. The weight is sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the treatment interface relative to the support when the connection is locked. The support enables movement of the practitioner to provide a practitioner force, and the practitioner force is transferred from the support to the treatment interface through the connection.

Abstract: A textile actuator worn by a user comprises a textile envelope that defines a chamber made fluid-impermeable by a fluid-impermeable bladder contained in the textile envelope and/or a fluid-impermeable structure incorporated into the textile envelope. The textile envelope has a pre-determined geometry that produces an equilibrium state at a non-180-angle displacement and that stops further displacement upon pressurization of the chamber and prevents over-extension the joint. A fluid is delivered into or out of the chamber to displace the textile envelope primarily by transitioning from an uninflated state to the pre-determined geometry due to displacement of the textile envelope rather than via stretching or contraction of the textile envelope. When actuated, the textile actuator (a) displaces a body segment of the user and/or (b) supports and holds the body segment of the user in place.

Abstract: An active orthotic device, e.g. a hand orthosis, is attached to one or more limbs of a human subject and comprises a respective set of actuators (21) for moving a respective limb (1A) among the one or more limbs. A method for controlling the orthotic device comprises obtaining one or more bioelectric signals, [S(t)], from one or more bioelectric sensors (10) attached to or implanted in the human subject; processing the one or more bioelectric signals, [5(t)j, for prediction of an intended application force, FA(t), of the respective limb (1A) onto an object; obtaining a force signal, PA(t), from a force sensing device (22) associated with the respective set of actuators (21) and/or the respective limb (1A); and generating, as a function of a momentary difference, e(t), between the intended application force, FA(t), and the force signal, PA(t), a respective set of control signals, it(t), for the respective set of actuators (21).

Abstract: An exoskeleton wearable on a body of a human having two legs, the exoskeleton comprising a first HAA joint and a second HAA joint to assist the human with leg abduction and adduction movements that are parallel to a frontal plane, each of the first and the second HAA joints having an actuator, each actuator including a motor and a clutch. The exoskeleton further comprises a sensor system for measuring a combined center of mass of the human and the exoskeleton in the frontal plane and a step width of the human in the frontal plane. The exoskeleton further comprises a controller that outputs adjustment angles for each of the first and the second HAA joints based on the center of mass and the step width. The first and the second HAA joints are respectively rotated based on the respective output adjustment angles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a soft robotic device for assisting hemiparetic patients. In embodiments, the soft robotic device includes an inflatable actuator capable of assisting hemiparetic patients with their gait cycle via application of a force on the gluteus muscle.

Abstract: An ottoman includes a support base, a reversible footrest that is removably supported in the support base and houses an electrically powered massager, and a compression band that is attached to the reversible footrest and extends over a top or bottom side of the reversible footrest, with the compression band being configured to compress a foot or feet of a user between the compression band and the reversible footrest. The reversible footrest has a first orientation in which the compression band is exposed outside the support base and a second orientation in which the compression band is stowed in the support base. The electrically powered massager is operable when the reversible footrest is in both the first orientation and in the second orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an assistive device and a control method thereof. The assistive device is adjustable for fitting different user. The control method of the assistive device is used for aiding user with moving and training.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler for at least two capsules containing dry powder is provided, the dry powder inhaler including: At least two capsule chambers, each capsule chamber for receiving one of the capsules; a mouth piece with a mouth portion comprising a distal opening; and a duct structure between the distal opening of the mouth piece and the at least two capsule chambers, wherein the duct structure comprises at least two primary ducts, wherein the distal opening of the mouth piece leads into the at least two primary ducts, and wherein each one of the at least two primary ducts leads into the corresponding one of the at least two capsule chambers.

Abstract: A nasal cannula arrangement for use as part of systems for delivery respiratory gases to a patient is disclosed. The nasal cannula arrangement includes a manifold part adapted to receive gases from a delivery conduit. The manifold includes one but preferably a pair of prongs extending upward and curving towards the rear of the manifold. The prongs are inserted into the nostrils of the patient and deliver gases to a patient. The prongs have a cut out on the rear side of the prongs. The cut out forms a gases outlet in the prongs and are shaped such that the area of the cut out area is greater than the cross sectional area of the prongs at the entry point to the prongs.

Abstract: A transfer unit (20), for a ventilator (1), is provided for carrying out a ventilation process of a patient. A ventilator (1) for carrying out a ventilation process of a patient, is provided that includes a ventilation unit (10) with a pneumatic unit (16) for carrying out the ventilation process as well as the transfer unit (20) mounted reversibly at the ventilation unit (10). A ventilation system (100) for carrying out a ventilation process of a patient, is provided including a transfer unit (20) and at least two ventilation units (10). A process for changing a ventilator (1) is provided for the ventilation process of a patient, wherein the transfer unit (20) can be mounted in the ventilation system (100) at a first ventilation unit (10) for forming a first ventilator (1) and at a second ventilation unit (10) for forming a second ventilator (1).

Abstract: A breathing circuit having a semipermeable membrane, an outer cage, and optionally an inner cage. The semipermeable membrane contains a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane and a graphene anti-bacterial compound. The semipermeable membrane is affixed to the outer cage; optionally between the inner cage and the outer cage. Breathing circuits and breathing systems may contain such a cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transformable massager, including a flexible connector, a massage component and a flexible housing. The flexible connector is deformed when subjected to a force; at least one end of the flexible connector is connected to the massage component; and an outer periphery of the flexible connector and an outer periphery of the massage component are covered by the flexible housing.

Abstract: An irrigating intraluminal suction inner cannula system for a tracheostomy tube may be a suction-powered system that may be used for suction alone or a combination of rinse and intraluminal suction for tracheostomy tubes in place of conventional catheter-based intraluminal suction. An inner cannula includes chambers, or regions, and holes that facilitate intraluminal suction and cleaning at multiple locations within the tracheostomy tube. It may be applied/actuated by a patient, healthcare worker, caretaker, or via an electronic system either on-demand or on regular or triggered intervals, in either inpatient/hospital or outpatient/ambulatory care setting.

Abstract: An aircraft seat massage system, with a pump module for conveying a gaseous medium, a valve module to convey and/or release the gaseous medium to and from a number of fillable gas cushions and a type of aircraft seat massage system, that can be scaled as flexibly as possible for the various requirements from the economy class up to first class. The massage system has a modular design and can be operated independently of a seat actuation system, whereby the operation is as quiet as possible.

Abstract: A vent system for use during respiratory therapy with a flow of pressurized gas may provide a continuous vent flow of gas. The vent system may include a vent housing having an outer wall; an inner wall, the inner wall defining an inlet for the flow of gas; and a base positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall, the base having at least one first orifice and at least one second orifice. The vent system may include a membrane, the membrane being shaped and dimensioned such that the membrane does not cover the at least one first orifice to allow the vent flow through the at least one first orifice, and the membrane being shaped and dimensioned such that in a first position the membrane is positioned over the at least one second orifice to allow the vent flow through the at least one second orifice.

Abstract: A system and method for providing Thermal contrast therapy are presented. The system may comprise a fluid membrane barrier, a human interface device (HID), fluid tubing, a pump, and a reservoir. The system may be operable to apply any combination of heat, cold, and pressurized compression, light energy, acoustic energy, and vibratory energy to a therapy recipient for treating anal-prostate-perineal and vaginal areas, as well as podological and other extremities. The system may be operable to impart a desired therapy temperature to the human interface device and to expand a membrane containing a therapy fluid. The expanded membrane may conform to the contours of a therapy site. Operation of the human interface device may be controlled using a remote-control device. The therapy recipient may be able to control the temperature of the fluid or gel, as well as reception of light energy, acoustic energy and vibratory pulsing energy to assist in treatment of one or more conditions.

Abstract: A massage chair includes a seat portion, a back portion a leg portion, and a massage carriage configured to move within the seat portion, the back portion, and the leg portion. The massage carriage includes comprises a percussive massage assembly comprising a motor, a reciprocating shaft coupled to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor, and a reciprocating massage head coupled to the reciprocating shaft. The massage chair also includes a support mechanism associated with the percussive massage assembly. The support mechanism is configured to support a weight of a user of the massage chair, thereby allowing the reciprocating shaft and the reciprocating massage head of the percussive massage assembly to reciprocate.

Abstract: A therapy system that includes a patient support apparatus and a pneumatic therapy device that is coupleable to the patient support apparatus. The therapy device may receive power and air flow from the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting walking of a user is provided. Information related to a motion of a user wearing a walking assistance apparatus is measured by an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a gait phase of the user corresponding to the measured information is predicted using data learned in advance through machine learning, an assistance torque to be provided to the user is determined based on the predicted gait phase, and a driver is controlled to output the assistance torque.

Abstract: A biological activity detection apparatus includes: a drive unit that actively or passively drives in conjunction with a limb motion of a subject; a periarticular detection unit that detects a periarticular physical quantity around a joint in association with the limb motion of the subject based on an output signal from the drive unit; a biological signal detection unit located at a body surface site of the subject with reference to the joint and includes an electrode group for detecting a biological signal of the subject, wherein an activity status of a musculoskeletal system and/or a transmission status of a peripheral nervous system around the joint are converted into quantitative musculoskeletal system data and/or nervous system data on the basis of the physical quantity acquired from the periarticular detection unit and a myogenic potential signal and a neural transmission signal which are acquired from the biological signal processing unit.