Abstract: An exercise device includes a foot support portion pivotably connected to a leg support portion and having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The support portion is configured to rotate about the neutral pivot axis in a first direction away from the neutral position and in a second direction away from the neutral position. The second direction is opposite the first direction. The exercise device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to exert a force on the foot support portion about the pivot axis opposite to the respective first and second directions of rotation of the foot support portion about the pivot axis.

Abstract: An orthodontic device can include a bracket configured to support an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic device can include a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and switchable between a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes can comprise a first sliding mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidable relative to the bracket and a second locked mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidably locked relative to the bracket.

Abstract: An implantable externally driven fluid delivery system for localized delivery of medical agents and drugs, such as antibiotics, may be provided herein. The fluid delivery system includes a housing that incorporates a filling septum connected to a flexible internal reservoir. The reservoir is connected to a miniature diaphragm pump with coupled magnetic components. The entire fluid delivery system is implantable into a body cavity or surgically formed location that provides for local medical agent delivery. The reservoir is filled via percutaneous injection through the skin into the septum. Fluid delivery is achieved through proximity of the external controller that generates an oscillating or reversing magnetic field suitable to actuate the pump's diaphragm resulting in controlled fluid flow. Once local drug delivery treatment is complete, the controller can be discarded.

Abstract: A portable exercise device includes a pedal spaced away from and pivotably connected to a base and having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The pedal is configured to rotate about the pivot axis in a first direction toward the base and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, toward the base. The device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to exert a force on the pedal about the pivot axis in a direction opposite to the respective direction of rotation of the pedal. The device is movable between an open, in-use configuration, where the pedal is disposed in the neutral position to receive a foot and spaced away from the base, and a closed configuration, where the pedal is adjacent the base.

Abstract: A method for exercising muscles in an ankle, foot, and/or leg of a user includes positioning a foot of a user onto a first body of an exercise device. The first body is spaced away from a second body of the device and pivotably connected to the second body of the device at a pivot axis. The pivot axis is adjacent to a central portion of the first body. The method includes rotating the first body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a first resistive force. Rotating the first body includes subjecting the foot to a first motion. The method includes positioning the foot onto the second body. The method includes rotating the second body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a second resistive force. Rotating the second body includes subjecting the foot to a second motion, the second motion being different than the first motion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technical training garment configured for use with modular, interchangeable biomechanics units and or resistance modules. The garment may provide resistance to movement throughout an angular range of motion and or tracks a variety of biomechanical parameters such as stride length, stride rate, angular velocity and power expended by the wearer. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath or over conventional clothing or athletic uniform. The device may be worn as a supplemental training and or diagnostic tool during conventional training protocols, or as a biomechanics or biometric data capture device during competition.

Abstract: A method of exercising includes positioning a foot of a user onto a pedal of an exercise device. The pedal is pivotably connected to a pair of supports forming a triangular base and has a neutral position relative to a pivot axis of the device. The method includes applying a first force to the pedal to rotate the pedal about the pivot axis in a first direction, toward a first support. The method includes resisting movement of the pedal toward the first support with a resistance mechanism of the device. The method includes applying a second force to the pedal to rotate the pedal about the pivot axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction, toward a second support and away from the first support. The method includes resisting movement of the pedal toward the second support with the resistance mechanism of the device.

Abstract: An orthodontic device can include a bracket configured to support an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic device can include a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and switchable between a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes can comprise a first sliding mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidable relative to the bracket and a second locked mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidably locked relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A method for exercising muscles in an ankle, foot, and/or leg of a user includes positioning a foot of a user onto a first body of an exercise device. The first body is spaced away from a second body of the device and pivotably connected to the second body of the device at a pivot axis. The pivot axis is adjacent to a central portion of the first body. The method includes rotating the first body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a first resistive force. Rotating the first body includes subjecting the foot to a first motion. The method includes positioning the foot onto the second body. The method includes rotating the second body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a second resistive force. Rotating the second body includes subjecting the foot to a second motion, the second motion being different than the first motion.

Abstract: An orthodontic device can include a bracket configured to support an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic device can include a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and switchable between a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes can comprise a first sliding mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidable relative to the bracket and a second locked mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidably locked relative to the bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic device can include a bracket configured to support an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic device can include a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and switchable between a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes can comprise a first sliding mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidable relative to the bracket and a second locked mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidably locked relative to the bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic device can include a bracket configured to support an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic device can include a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and switchable between a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes can comprise a first sliding mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidable relative to the bracket and a second locked mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidably locked relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A portable exercise device includes a first body and a second body. The exercise device also includes a support structure pivotably connecting the first and second bodies. The support structure is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to resist movement of the first and second bodies toward one another when the support structure is in the engaged position. When the support structure is in the engaged position, the first body is positioned substantially parallel to the second body such that in a first open, in-use configuration of the device, the first body has a first neutral position relative to a pivot axis and in a second open, in-use configuration of the device, the second body has a second neutral position relative to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A portable exercise device includes a pedal spaced away from and pivotably connected to a base and having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The pedal is configured to rotate about the pivot axis in a first direction toward the base and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, toward the base. The device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to exert a force on the pedal about the pivot axis in a direction opposite to the respective direction of rotation of the pedal. The device is movable between an open, in-use configuration, where the pedal is disposed in the neutral position to receive a foot and spaced away from the base, and a closed configuration, where the pedal is adjacent the base.

Abstract: A fluid sample optimization device for optimizing a fluid sample collected by a fluid collection device from a fluid source, where a first portion of the fluid sample potentially has contaminants. The device includes an inlet configured to connect with the fluid source, an outlet configured to connect with the fluid collection device, a sample path connected between the inlet and the outlet, and a contaminant containment reservoir connected between the inlet and the outlet. The contaminant containment reservoir has an air permeable fluid resistor proximate the outlet, and is arranged to receive the first portion of the fluid sample from the fluid source to displace air therein, such that upon receipt of the first portion of the fluid sample and containment of the contaminants in the contaminant containment reservoir, subsequent portions of the fluid sample are conveyed by the sample path from the inlet to the outlet when subsequent pressure differentials are applied between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An implantable externally driven fluid delivery system for localized delivery of medical agents and drugs, such as antibiotics, may be provided herein. The fluid delivery system includes a housing that incorporates a filling septum connected to a flexible internal reservoir. The reservoir is connected to a miniature diaphragm pump with coupled magnetic components. The entire fluid delivery system is implantable into a body cavity or surgically formed location that provides for local medical agent delivery. The reservoir is filled via percutaneous injection through the skin into the septum. Fluid delivery is achieved through proximity of the external controller that generates an oscillating or reversing magnetic field suitable to actuate the pump's diaphragm resulting in controlled fluid flow. Once local drug delivery treatment is complete, the controller can be discarded.

Abstract: A method of exercising includes positioning a foot of a user onto a pedal of an exercise device. The pedal is pivotably connected to a pair of supports forming a triangular base and has a neutral position relative to a pivot axis of the device. The method includes applying a first force to the pedal to rotate the pedal about the pivot axis in a first direction, toward a first support. The method includes resisting movement of the pedal toward the first support with a resistance mechanism of the device. The method includes applying a second force to the pedal to rotate the pedal about the pivot axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction, toward a second support and away from the first support. The method includes resisting movement of the pedal toward the second support with the resistance mechanism of the device.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a foot support portion pivotably connected to a leg support portion and having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The support portion is configured to rotate about the neutral pivot axis in a first direction away from the neutral position and in a second direction away from the neutral position. The second direction is opposite the first direction. The exercise device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to exert a force on the foot support portion about the pivot axis opposite to the respective first and second directions of rotation of the foot support portion about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A portable exercise device includes a pedal pivotably connected to a pair of supports. The pedal has a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The pedal is configured to rotate about the pivot axis in a first direction toward one support and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, toward the other support. The exercise device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to exert a force on the pedal about the pivot axis in a direction opposite to the respective direction of rotation of the pedal about the pivot axis. The device is movable between an open, in-use configuration, where the pedal is disposed in the neutral position to receive a foot of a user and the pair of supports together form a triangular base, and a closed configuration, where the pair of supports are flush against the pedal.

Abstract: A portable exercise device includes a first body and a second body. The exercise device also includes a support structure pivotably connecting the first and second bodies. The support structure is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to resist movement of the first and second bodies toward one another when the support structure is in the engaged position. When the support structure is in the engaged position, the first body is positioned substantially parallel to the second body such that in a first open, in-use configuration of the device, the first body has a first neutral position relative to a pivot axis and in a second open, in-use configuration of the device, the second body has a second neutral position relative to the pivot axis.