Abstract: An exoskeleton worn by a human user consists of a rigid pelvic harness, worn about the waist of the user, and exoskeleton leg structures, each of which extends downwardly alongside one of the human user's legs. The leg structures include hip, knee, and ankle joints connected by adjustable length thigh and shin members. The hip joint that attaches the thigh structure to the pelvic harness includes a passive spring or an active actuator to assist in lifting the exoskeleton and the human user with respect to the ground surface upon which the user is walking and to propel the exoskeleton and human user forward. A controllable damper operatively arrests the movement of the knee joint at controllable times during the walking cycle and a spring located at the ankle and foot member stores and releases energy during walking.

Abstract: A device for managing patellofemoral pain includes a wearable anchor structure configured to be positioned adjacent to the knee joint of a user. A spring mechanism is attachable, during use, to the anchor structure at first and second attachment positions located laterally and medially of the knee joint, respectively. An attachment component is coupled to the spring mechanism and has an attachment surface configured to be removably attached, during use, to the skin over the patella of the user such that the spring mechanism applies a tension force on the attachment component in an anterior direction. Methods for managing patellofemoral pain and realigning the patella and a patellofemoral pain management kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shoulder orthosis (1) including a support portion (2) for positioning above a shoulder of user, which support portion exhibits a front (3) and a rear (4) portion which are formed so as to in use be positioned respectively in front of and behind a shoulder joint of the shoulder, a chest band (5) for connection to said front and rear regions and extending around a users chest in use, an arm cuff for application around an arm associated with the shoulder of the user, tension bands for connecting the support portion and the arm cuff. The arm cuff is a lower arm cuff (6) for positioning around said lower arm, the support portion (2) includes the upper arm cuff (7) for the positioning onto the upper arm of said arm, and said tension bands (8) join the upper arm cuff (7) and the lower arm cuff (6).

Abstract: A cranial alignment device for use in intracranial stereotactic radiotherapy includes a nosepiece that is custom shaped to mate with the dorsum and alae of the patient's nose.

Abstract: A device is described that is configured to protect a joint of a wearer. The device includes a device cover structure having an interior surface of phase change fabric material that is placed toward the wearer's joint and an exterior surface of unbroken loop fabric that comes in direct contact with external objects such as a mattress and/or other parts of the users body or that of another person while in their preferred position for sleeping, resting or reclining. The device also includes flexible elastic wraps for securing the device cover. The Device furthermore includes one or more protective pads inserted into a pocket formed in the device cover structure.

Abstract: A medical appliance for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, the appliance comprising: a biasing member for inserting behind and exerting a force upon the patient's soft palate or tongue, wherein the biasing member is inserted in a reduced or minimized form and then expanded or firms once in place to exert the force. The appliance may be nasally inserted or be placed through the mouth. In a particular configuration, both the soft palate and tongue are biased to prevent obstruction of the flow of air in the nasopharyngeal airway.

Abstract: An ankle brace which is positioned on an ankle of a person which incorporates a tensioning structure which permits full range of motion to the ankle joint but which prevents the ankle joint from moving past its normal range of motion to protect the ankle joint. An optional ankle strap system is also provided.

Abstract: A closure system for braces, protective wear and similar articles is disclosed. The closure system includes a plurality of opposing lace guide members and a tightening mechanism. The closure system further includes a lace extending through the guide members and coupled to the tightening mechanism. In some embodiments, a quick release apparatus is included to facilitate opening of the closure system. The tightening mechanism in some embodiments includes a control for winding the lace into a housing to place tension on the lace thereby tightening the closure system.

Abstract: A patella cup for use with a knee brace includes a main shell secured to a padded liner, and an upper shell disposed above the main shell, and secured at one end to the padded liner. The upper shell may include an extension passing under an upper end of the main shell, so that the upper shell is bendable rearwardly relative to the main shell. A lower strap and at least one upper strap are secured to the padded liner, such that each strap includes an elastic portion to allow each strap to stretch in length when pulled. Loops are secured to the padded liner, on lateral and medial sides of the main shell, with the loops secured to lateral and medial hinges on either side of a knee brace used with the patella cup.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for controlled delivery of a therapy, such as a stimulant, to a mouth of a subject via an oral device positioned in a secured configuration in the mouth. At least one of a tongue position stimulator (TST) and tongue position sensor (TSE) is provided, according to certain aspects. According to another aspect, a stimulus is delivered to the mouth and/or tongue via a mouthpiece secured to the subject's teeth. In another regard, a stimulus is delivered that generates a natural response to eliminate or reduce sleep disorders, such as for example at least one of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: An orthopedic device and method for using the same are provided for applying a dynamic load on a leg of a user. The orthopedic device has a rigid or semi-rigid frame including lower and upper frames, and a hinge assembly connecting the lower and upper frames. A dynamic loading component is used to urge the load on the user's leg on the basis of flexion of the hinge assembly on the basis of tension in an elongate element connecting the dynamic loading component and at least one of the lower and upper frames. A peak load is generated at a flexion angle between extension and flexion of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: Provided is an ankle supporter capable of returning the wearer's ankle to a normal position by moving the connective tissue and muscles below the skin following sprain or Achilles tendonitis. The ankle supporter includes a first elastic panel knitted in a belt-like shape on the medial side of the wearer's foot extending from the sole to an area corresponding to the Achilles tendon and having a stretch resistance greater than that of the base fabric and a second elastic panel knitted in a belt-like shape on the medial side of the wearer's foot extending from the heel to the base of the foot top of the wearer to intersect the first elastic panel below the center of the medial ankle and having a stretch resistance greater than that of the base fabric.

Abstract: Nasal cannula devices formed with through air-flow passages and circular membranes anchored centrally to retainers and operative upon inhaling by the patient to raise off the peripheral edges of respective seats for free flow of air into the nasal passages and, further, operative upon exhalation by the patient to seat on the seats. The invention further includes a method introducing the cannula devices with cushioning rings to cushion against the walls of the walls of the nasal passages. In another method the invention includes manufacturing a barrel with proximal and distal glands to friction fit on a shell formed in the body of the cannula and receiving an annular retainer friction fit in the distal cannula to mount a sealing membrane.

Abstract: An emergency head trauma bandage cap with a detachable strap system and method of use, which, when applied to the head, delivers minimal pressure to control bleeding, doesn't compromise cervical spine immobilization, allows for fast and effective application of cooling gel to control intracranial/internal swelling or hot packs to prevent hypothermia in non-trauma situations, doesn't come apart during treatment and transport, and doesn't require a caregiver to re-wrap the dressing.

Abstract: A sterile radiation shield drape configured to be disposed about a radiation shield while the radiation shield is hanging from a support at its top end and extending to a free bottom end is provided. The radiation shield drape includes a circumferentially continuous wall having a sterilized outer surface and an inner surface extending between an upper end and a lower end. The inner surface circumferentially bounds a cavity sized for receipt of the radiation shield. The upper end has an everted edge providing at least one pocket extending along the upper end and further includes at least one fastener provided adjacent the upper end. The at least one fastener is configured to releasably fix the circumferentially continuous wall about the radiation shield.

Abstract: A decorative bandage (800) is provided. The decorative bandage can include a backing layer (100) defining a first major face (101) and a second major face (301). An adhesive (302) can be disposed along one of the first major face or the second major face. A pad (303) can be disposed along the adhesive layer. Another of the first major face or the second major face can include one or more design elements (601) defining a writing surface appearance (901), such as that of a blackboard or a whiteboard. A decorative bandage accessory (1300), such as one or more sticker sets 1301,1302, can be included so that a user can customize the decorative bandage.

Abstract: With respect to a pressing tool main body 10B of a pressing tool for a pelvic floor muscle group 1B, a convex upper surface has a hardness of 10 to 20, which is a value of the International Rubber Hardness Degree (IRHD) complying with JIS K 6253, when the pressing tool main body 10B is in an initial state in which the pressing tool main body 10B is subject to no external force and is not squashed, and has a hardness of 25 to 35, which is a value of the International Rubber Hardness Degree (IRHD) complying with JIS K 6253, when the pressing tool main body 10B is subject to an external force, and a height from a seat surface to the convex upper surface becomes a half of the height from the seat surface to the convex upper surface in the initial state.

Abstract: A spiral brace has an inner surface that corresponds to a digital representation of an injured limb. The spiral brace can wrap around a length of the limb in a helical manner. The body of the spiral brace may be a single piece structure that is fenestrated to provide air circulation to the injured limb.

Abstract: A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea is described herein. The method includes the step of providing a tethering device having an elastic filament having a distal end and a proximal end and a flexible memory head mounted to the distal end of the elastic filament. The method further includes the steps of advancing the tethering device through the tongue of a patient so that the flexible memory head of the tethering device is disposed against the back of the tongue and the elastic filament of the tethering device extends through the tongue and securing the proximal end of the elastic filament to the mandible of the patient under tension, whereby to restrain rearward movement of the tongue while the patient is sleeping.

Abstract: A cervical collar has a front component formed from a compressible foam material and defines a recess constituting part of a tracheal opening. The collar also has a height adjustment mechanism secured to the front component which forms a substantially rigid border about the tracheal opening, and a sternum pad formed from a compressible foam material. The height adjustment mechanism selectively connects the front component to the sternum pad at a permanently locked position among a plurality of predefined distances.