Abstract: A method of providing enhanced circulation, venous return and microcirculation is achieved by use of intermittent pneumatic compression in alternating periods of application and recovery.

Abstract: The pneumatic Achilles wrap comprises a wrap including at least one strap for fastening the wrap around the foot and around the ankle. The wrap positions an arch cell which contains a dynamic volume of air within the wrap under a human foot. The arch cell is fabricated from a flexible material and is in communication with a conduit member. Upon application of external pressure to the arch cell, air is expelled from said air cell through said conduit member. The wrap also positions a tendon cell which contains a dynamic volume of air within the wrap against the Achilles tendon. The tendon cell is in communication with the arch cell via the conduit member. The tendon cell is also fabricated from a flexible material. Upon the expelling of air from said arch cell, the air enters through the conduit member into the tendon cell which exerts a greater pressure against the Achilles tendon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing therapeutic intermittent pneumatic pressure to a body portion. An air reservoir receives a substantially steady flow of pressurized air from a pump. Pressure is applied as a rapid pulse from the reservoir to a cuff means in contact with the body portion so as to promote acceleration of venous blood flow in the body portion. In a preferred embodiment, the pneumatic pressure is applied in a graduated manner and/or sequentially distally to proximally along the body portion. A simplified carrying arrangement is provided for the system.

Abstract: A walking brace is disclosed having inflatable air cells to provide therapeutic pressure to the patient's leg and which requires no external equipment or oral inflation tube for reinflation. Each air cell contains a piece of resilient foam, which allows air to come in through an external connection to inflate the air cell when the foam within the air cell expands and the external connection is open. Similarly, when the external connection is open, air leaves the air cell through the external connection in response to pressure on the air cell. However, once the external connection is closed, the air cell maintains its volume of air.

Abstract: A system for intermittent, sequential, graduated compression of a multicompartment inflatable cuff by means of a single pulsing air pump and a single air tube connecting the pump to the cuff. Each more proximal compartment is inflated through a fluid restrictor communicating with its adjacent more distal compartment. The maximum pressure in the most proximal compartment is limited by a fluid restrictor bleeding air to atmosphere and the pressure in the most proximal compartment is always less than the pressure in the adjacent more distal compartment. The maximum pressure in the most distal compartment is controlled by a pressure relief valve. In a second embodiment, deflation is through a restrictor located in the supply line to the cuff and deflation of each more proximal compartment is through a one-way check-valve that permits flow of air from a proximal compartment to a distal compartment but not in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A thermal compress cuff for treating an injured knee has a fluid impervious chamber of flexible material with an upper transverse portion and depending arms extending from the transverse portion. The transverse portion is adapted to encompass a portion of a limb above the knee and the depending arms are adapted to encompass the limb along the sides of the knee and a portion of the limb below the knee while exposing the patella of the knee. The chamber is adapted to receive and contain a thermal fluid for abutting contact with the encompassed portion of the limb and the chamber further contains a plurality of tethers to constrict the amount of thermal fluid which may enter the cuff. In addition, the cuff is provided with elastic straps which hold the cuff on to the knee and allow compression to be exerted on the suprapatellar region of the knee while limiting the pressure exerted on the distal and popliteal areas of the leg.

Abstract: A hingeless splint that provides immobilization of the knee in varying degrees of extension or maximal extension. The device is mostly open around the knee for comfort and permits convenient application of supplemental cold and compression dressings to be used therewith.

Abstract: A thermal compress cuff for treating an injured knee has a fluid impervious chamber of flexible material with an upper transverse portion and depending arms extending from the transverse portion. The transverse portion is adapted to encompass a portion of the limb above the knee and the depending arms are adapted to encompass the limb along the sides of the knee and a portion of the limb below the knee while exposing the patella of the knee. The chamber preferably is divided into inner and outer compartments with thermal fluid received by and contained in the inner compartment for abutting contact with the encompassed portion of the limb. An open-cell urethane foam material is contained in the outer compartment for insulating the underlying inner compartment and for enhancing uniform conformance to the limb.

Abstract: An adjustable ankle compress (10) in the shape of a boot (12) with an ankle portion (18) and a foot portion (16) for receiving the ankle and foot and having a sole (14) on the boot (12) that is adjustable in width for varying the size of the boot (12) to accommodate a foot and ankle of various sizes. The boot (12) has a fluid-tight compartment (36) formed therein for substantially surrounding the ankle and the top of the foot.

Abstract: A thermal compress cuff for treating an injured knee has a fluid impervious chamber of flexible material with an upper transverse portion and depending arms extending from the transverse portion. The transverse portion encompasses a portion of the limb above the knee and the depending arms encompass the limb along the sides of the knee and a portion of the limb below the knee while exposing the patella. The chamber is intended to contain a thermal fluid for abutting contact with the encompassed portion of the limb. The chamber preferably is divided into inner and outer compartments with the thermal fluid contained in the inner compartment. An open call urethane foam material is contained in the outer compartment for insulating and underlying inner compartment and for enhancing uniform conformance to the limb.

Abstract: A prophylactic ankle brace for protecting the ankle of paratroopers and which fits on the outside of the paratrooper boot. It includes lateral and medial side walls extending longitudinally upwardly to encompass the ankle and lower extremity of the leg above the ankle with a substantially U-shaped member connecting the spaced apart side walls for extending substantially around and conforming to the back of the shoe to hold the side walls in fixed relationship to each other and to the shoe. Straps are provided for removably attaching the connected side walls to the shoe and to the lower extremities of the leg in fixed relationship.

Abstract: A pneumatic brace comprising at least one outer shell member and at least first and second pressurizable chambers juxtaposed therewith in an overlapping manner for providing a supporting cushion between said outer shell member and a body part or limb. One of said chambers is coextensive with substantially the entire inner surface of said one outer shell member for engagement with a corresponding portion of said body part or limb, while the other of said chambers is coextensive with a portion of said first chamber. In one preferred embodiment, the first and second chambers comprise separate inflatable airbags of different size disposed on said outer shell member with the smaller airbag positioned coextensively with the bottom portion of the larger airbag and between said larger airbag and said inner surface of said outer shell member.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped thermal compress having a compartment divided into first and second chambers by a common wall. One of the chambers holds a first liquid that freezes before a second liquid in the adjacent chamber. After the first liquid is frozen, the chamber having the second liquid is placed against the ankle. The U-shaped compress has a strap extending at an angle from one of the upper outer ends thereof to wrap around the ankle and attach to the other upper outer end to hold the compress in place. An elongated strap extending from the bottom of the U-shaped compress passes under the foot and around the ankle several times over the compress not only to hold the compress in place, but also to provide added compression to the forefoot for the control of edema. A soft insulating material is placed on the outside of the outer chamber having the ice therein to protect the ice from the effects of ambient temperature.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided comprising first adjustable means for engaging the knee and providing support to the patella without hindering normal tracking movement thereof, and second adjustable means for fastening said first adjustable means in engagement with the knee. In an alternatively preferred embodiment, at least third adjustable means are provided for engaging the knee and providing enhanced support to the knee joint, namely, in the infra patella region.

Abstract: Improved orthepedic apparatus in the form of a generally U-shaped stirrup member having a base portion and a pair of opposed sidewall portions hinged to the base portion. A pair of air-inflatable liners or airbags are disposed interiorly of the stirrup member in a juxtaposed, substantially coextensive relation to the sidewall portions, respectively. Fastener straps are provided to maintain the sidewall portions of the stirrup snuggly fitted about the lower extremity. A resilient, compressible filler member, porous and permeable to air, is disposed interiorly of each airbag to serve the dual function of pre-inflating the airbag prior to the stirrup member being fitted about the lower extremity, and simultaneously providing a cushioning member between the stirrup member and the lower extremity. Value means are also provided on each airbag to facilitate further inflation of that airbag or reduction of internal air pressure at elevated altitudes.

Abstract: A band or strap adapted to be circumferentially fitted about the arm to alleviate the symptoms of tennis elbow. The band incorporates inwardly protruding means of limited circumferential extent for applying a radially directed pressure against that portion of the extensor muscle coextensive therewith when the arm band is circumferentially tensioned and fastened in place about the arm. In its preferred form, the means of limited circumferential extent consists of a semi-compressible, inflated air bag carried in a pocket in the arm band. The protruding air bag applies a radially directed pressure or compressive counterforce against the extensor muscle which is of greater magnitude that the pressure exerted against the other circumferential portions of the arm engaged directly by the arm band.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pavement marker for engagement with an underlying roadway for providing a marking visible from an oncoming vehicle on the roadway surface. The pavement marker comprises a lens member of light-transmitting synethetic resin including a front face having a light-receiving and refracting portion adapted to be inclined at an angle of at least 15.degree. and a rear face having reflex reflective means for reflecting light transmitted through the light-receiving and refracting portion back to the source. The pavement marker has an untempered glass sheet fixedly disposed on the light-receiving and refracting portion and the glass is in compression throughout the expected temperature range to which the pavement marker is exposed in use.

Abstract: A fluid-filled or inflatable article having an integral self-sealing valve formed from a pair of extensions which are sealed together along their peripheral side edges leaving an open top or mouth. One or both of the extensions is folded back upon itself to form a flap or pair of juxtaposed flaps whose free edge or edges depend inwardly from the open top or mouth of the valve. Disposed between the flaps, or between the flap and the adjacent inner surface of the opposed valve wall if a single flap is employed, is a biasing means preferably in the form of a thin layer of a tacky, grease-like substance which causes the flaps to adhere to each other or to the inner side wall of the adjacent opposed valve wall thereby biasing the flap into sealing engagement with each other or the adjacent inner wall surface interiorly of the valve.

Abstract: There is provided a generally U-shaped stirrup member having a base portion and a pair of opposed sidewall portions attached to the base portion. A pair of air-inflatable liners or airbags are disposed interiorly of the stirrup member in juxtaposed relation to the sidewall portions, respectively, and extend in a substantially coextensive manner therewith. By this arrangement, when the stirrup member is fitted about the lower extremity, the sidewall portions engage the lateral and medial portions of the lower extremity. A plurality of fastener straps are provided to maintain the sidewall portions of the stirrup member snuggly fitted about the lower leg above the ankle. Means are provided for facilitating inflation of each airbag after the stirrup member has been fitted about the lower extremity and the fastener straps have been engaged.