Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods of use of that device that assists in the clearing of the airway of a patient and where the device is portable and able to be used with a single hand.

Abstract: A global osteoarthritis knee brace or orthopedic support includes a flexible, elastic sleeve having a tubular shape with a patella opening at an anterior surface with slits on either side of the opening. The brace includes a first pair of rigid longitudinal stiffeners pivoted therebetween at a hinge that is disposed at the lateral or medial side of the sleeve. The brace further includes an adjustable patella support having elongated strips at the ends thereof, wherein the patella support is positioned in the interior of the sleeve proximate with the patella opening, where the elongated strips pass from the interior of the sleeve through the slits to the exterior of the sleeve, and extend upward to be anchored to the sleeve. The wearer pulling on the elongated strips adjusts the patella support to lift the patella.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying bulk material can include a housing defining a chamber, an inlet for receiving the bulk material into the chamber, and an outlet for discharging the bulk material from the chamber. At least one conveyor mechanism can be disposed within the housing and can be arranged to convey the bulk material from the inlet to the outlet. A ventilation system can be coupled to the chamber and configured to remove water vapor from the chamber. A method of drying bulk material can include receiving the bulk material into a chamber, conveying the bulk material within the chamber, removing water vapor from the chamber, and discharging the bulk material from the chamber. The system can be used to process peat moss or other bulk materials, such as soil, manure, wood pulp, vegetables, or other products.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods of use of that device that assists in the clearing of the airway of a patient and where the device is portable and able to be used with a single hand.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a top portion and a middle portion. The top portion includes an inlet for receiving peat moss. A feeding mechanism delivers the peat moss from the top portion to the middle portion. A compression mechanism housed in the middle portion includes at least one roller assembly for at least partially dewatering the peat moss. The roller assembly can include upper and lower rollers. Peat moss passing between the rollers can be pressed to reduce moisture content of the peat moss. The lower roller can include perforations allowing moisture to drain away from the peat moss. Speeds of rotation of the rollers and/or a distance between the rollers can be adjustable. A bottom portion underneath the middle portion can include an outlet for discharging the peat moss.

Abstract: A global osteoarthritis knee brace or orthopedic support includes a flexible, elastic sleeve having a tubular shape with a patella opening at an anterior surface with slits on either side of the opening. The brace includes a first pair of rigid longitudinal stiffeners pivoted therebetween at a hinge that is disposed at the lateral side of the sleeve and likewise at the medial side of the sleeve. The brace further includes an adjustable, flexible patella support having elongated strips at the ends thereof, wherein the patella support is positioned in the interior of the sleeve proximate with the patella opening, where the elongated strips pass from the interior of the sleeve through the slits to the exterior of the sleeve, and extend upward to be adjustably anchored to the sleeve. The wearer pulling on the elongated strips adjusts the patella support.

Abstract: An ankle brace includes a foot and ankle holder made from a flexible fabric having a foot portion transitioning to an upper ankle portion with opposite first and second sides. The upper ankle portion has an open front and back. A rear portion is attached to partially enclose the open back. The rear portion has opposite first and second panels that removably attach to the first and second sides of the upper ankle portion, respectively. An optional tongue is located at the open front and laces overlie the tongue. A rigid heel support is disposed inside the foot portion, and the heel support may include pivoting joints. Elongated support straps extend under the foot portion and wrap around the ankle holder. Retention straps extend around the ankle holder.

Abstract: An ankle brace includes a foot and ankle holder made from a flexible fabric having a foot portion transitioning to an upper ankle portion with opposite first and second sides. The upper ankle portion has an open front and back. A rear portion is attached to partially enclose the open back. The rear portion has opposite first and second panels that removably attach to the first and second sides of the upper ankle portion, respectively. An optional tongue is located at the open front and laces overlie the tongue. A rigid heel support is disposed inside the foot portion, and the heel support may include pivoting joints. Elongated support straps extend under the foot portion and wrap around the ankle holder. Retention straps extend around the ankle holder.

Abstract: An ankle brace includes a foot and ankle holder made from a flexible fabric having a foot portion transitioning to an upper ankle portion with opposite first and second sides. The upper ankle portion has an open front and back. A rear portion is attached to partially enclose the open back. The rear portion has opposite first and second panels that removably attach to the first and second sides of the upper ankle portion, respectively. An optional tongue is located at the open front and laces overlie the tongue. A rigid heel support is disposed inside the foot portion, and the heel support may include pivoting joints. Elongated support straps extend under the foot portion and wrap around the ankle holder. Retention straps extend around the ankle holder.

Abstract: A knee brace has push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: An orthotic or prosthetic spacer element including a ventilated and compressible core having first and second opposed surfaces, and a discrete and continuous web-like silicone-based frictional layer secured to the core first surface. The frictional layer and the core first surface have a plurality of coinciding apertures formed in a pattern. The spacer element may include a foam layer secured to the core second surface such that the foam layer and the core have different rigidities. A layer of hook-receivable material may be directly or indirectly secured to the second core surface.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A device which is used to control the electronic temperature in an ECR plasma chamber includes at least one moderator which is placed in the path of electrons having an energy greater than a pre-determined energy, so as to form an obstacle to the electrons. The invention is suitable for use in ion sources and plasma machines.

Abstract: An orthotic or prosthetic spacer element including a ventilated and compressible core having first and second opposed surfaces, and a discrete and continuous web-like silicone-based frictional layer secured to the core first surface. The frictional layer and the core first surface have a plurality of coinciding apertures formed in a pattern. The spacer element may include a foam layer secured to the core second surface such that the foam layer and the core have different rigidities. A layer of hook-receivable material may be directly or indirectly secured to the second core surface.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved hardenable orthopaedic supports and methods of making the same. One embodiment provides a support which includes a blank made of a permeable, flexible material and including a structural region impregnated with a hardenable material and a peripheral region which will remain flexible after the hardenable material is hardened. Another embodiment provides a method of manufacturing an orthopaedic support in which a permeable, flexible material is positioned adjacent a recess of a molding element; the flexible material is contacted with a hardenable material; and the hardenable material is placed under pressure in the molding element to impregnate the section of the flexible material with the hardenable material.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.