Abstract: The flexible contour wheelchair backrest comprises two side posts, and a flexible backrest body extending between the two side posts. The flexible backrest body comprises a plurality of transversally extending and vertically spaced apart flexible straps each interconnecting the two side posts and each having an adjustable length, and a plurality of substantially stiff and malleable stays intersecting at least one of the flexible straps at right angle. Each side post defines an elongated curved front face for receiving the flexible backrest body. This elongated curved front face has a forwardly bulging section for inducing a depth dimension to the flexible backrest body to fit the posterior lateral contour of a user's back and thereby provide lateral support to the user's trunk. A mechanism is used to adjust the distance between the forwardly bulging sections of the elongated curved front faces.

Abstract: A series of ortheses for the treatment of scoliotic deformities are each adapted for obliquely applying dynamic derotational forces on the thorax and lumbar spine of the user in opposite directions combined with a kyphosing action on the thorax and a lordosing action on the lumbar spine. The orthoses are designed in order that the correcting forces can be applied on the user's trunk with various degree of mechanical force while allowing for complete or partial mobility of the trunk. The various orthoses can treat small, moderate and substantially severe deformities which are supple or rigid. A supple orthosis for small and supple curves comprises a thoracic garment encircling the upper thorax, short pants to provide a grip around the pelvic girdle and the upper thighs, and upper and lower semi-elastic straps having supple thoracic and lumbar pads, respectively, attached respectively to the garment and the pants.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot keel comprising: (a) a generally S-shaped unitary spatula, defining a main forefoot leg, a rear leg, and an intermediate leg integrally joining the forefoot and rear legs; and (b) a generally C-shape heel, defining a top heel plate, a bottom heel plate, and an intermediate heel plate transversely integrally interconnecting the top and bottom heel plates; wherein said top heel plate is fixedly anchored against the underface of the spatula rear leg. A generally open pocket is defined by the heel and by the spatula intermediate and rear legs. The pocket opens both rearwardly of the foot keel and laterally outwardly thereof on the side opposite the intermediate heel part. The shape of the open pocket is resiliently deformable responsively to the cyclical loads sustained by the spatula forefoot leg and bottom heel plate during the wearer's gait.

Abstract: An exoskeletal (or endoskeletal) ankle connector for use in fixedly securing a prosthetic foot to a prosthetic leg. The foot has an elongated cantilever spring type keel. The keel defines an elongated forefoot part, an ankle part and a heel part merging the ankle part with the forefoot part. The keel ankle part is provided with a cavity. The leg has a bottom end with an integral bolt with the bolt having a free projecting threaded stem.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic foot keel is proposed, based on the capability of the flexible keel to maintain the amputee's stability by means of medio-lateral forces and impulsions, while initially storing energy at heel strike and mid-stance, for restoring same at toe-off, in all planes. The keel is of the cantilever spring type, as generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,509 to Poggi et al.. The improvement is directed: firstly, to a medially-oriented heel curvature which, at heel strike, provides medio-lateral stability during the weight transfer from the contra-lateral limb to the prosthetic limb; and secondly, to an inward medio-lateral forefront portion extension thereof which, by extending the lever arm of the deformable keel, produces a medio-lateral propulsion capability at foot push off. Hence, this keel medio-lateral heel curvature and inward extension facilitates lateral back and forth swinging motion of the amputee's body center of gravity, typical of a normal gait.