Abstract: An athletic bra includes a front portion and a rear portion, where the front portion includes a plurality of sections that form regions having different degrees of elasticity. The sections of the front portion are oriented such that a gradient in elasticity is imparted along the front portion between the plurality of sections.

Abstract: A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.

Abstract: A brassiere includes a fabric panel including a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer. The first fabric layer includes a first material having a first modulus of elasticity and a second material having a second modulus of elasticity. The first modulus of elasticity is greater than the second modulus of elasticity. An auxetic structure is formed by the first material on the first fabric layer, the auxetic structure comprising a pattern of reentrant shapes. The second fabric layer is coupled to the first fabric layer along a perimeter portion of the fabric panel. The second fabric layer free-floating relative to the first fabric layer at a central body portion located within the perimeter portion of the fabric panel.

Abstract: An article of apparel includes protective padding adapted to contour to the wearer. In an embodiment, the protective panel is a multilayered panel including a foam layer, a fabric layer, and a bonding layer located between the foam layer and the fabric layer. The foam layer may be formed of auxetic foam. Alternatively or in addition to, the bonding layer may be a film including a plurality of openings, and each of the openings defines a reentrant shape.

Abstract: A patient lift system includes a motor and a drum. The drum is operably coupled to the motor. The drum can be selectively driven to rotate by the motor. A housing surrounds at least the motor and the drum. A load-bearing member is provided that includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to at least one of the housing and the drum. The second end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to a patient support assembly. An electrically conductive member can be positioned within the load-bearing member. A user interface is configured to actuate the patient support assembly in vertical and horizontal directions.

Abstract: A patient lift system includes a motor and a drum. The drum is operably coupled to the motor. The drum can be selectively driven to rotate by the motor. A housing surrounds at least the motor and the drum. A load-bearing member is provided that includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to at least one of the housing and the drum. The second end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to a patient support assembly. An electrically conductive member can be positioned within the load-bearing member. A user interface is configured to actuate the patient support assembly in vertical and horizontal directions.

Abstract: A lift unit for supporting a subject includes a lift body configured to travel along an overhead rail and a lift strap having a payout length extending from the lift body. The payout length retracts and extends relative to the lift body. The lift strap includes a woven fiber construction having a pattern integrated into the woven fiber construction. The pattern includes a plurality of markings indicative of the payout length.

Abstract: A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.

Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to electrically-powered, thermally-regulated apparel or heated garments and a controller and related methods of operation thereof. The thermally-regulated apparel item can include one or more heating elements that can be mounted at spaced locations about the body of the apparel item, such as being received in pockets, or by being attached to the body by releasable fasteners. The heating elements also can be connected together is series to form a combined or composite heating element assembly for the apparel item having a user selected or defined configuration and coverage along the body of the apparel item.

Abstract: A heated glove comprising a glove body that includes a pair of body sections formed from a substrate material, with each body section having a substantially mirror image shape as the other body section. The glove body further includes elongate heating elements formed from a conductive material and attached to the outer surface of each body section with a couching stitch and in accordance with a predetermined layout pattern that is a substantially mirror image of the layout pattern of the other heating element. The pair of matching body sections are then attached together to form the glove body with the heating elements being substantially aligned in registration with each other.

Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to electrically-powered, thermal-regulated apparel or heated garments and a controller and related methods of operation thereof. The thermal-regulated apparel item includes a heating assembly having a heating element and a controller that is linked to the heating element. The controller receives measured temperature or other feedback such as electrical resistance values from a thermistor or a voltage level of a thermocouple positioned along the heating element and in response, varies an electrical power output to the heating element to maintain a desired thermal output. The controller also communicates with a user settable control device, which can include a wireless control device, such as a Smart phone, through which the user can monitor and control the thermal output of one or more heated garments linked thereto.

Abstract: A heated garment is disclosed for use by a wearer to impart heat to the wearer in cold conditions. The heated garment includes a wearable garment having an interior portion that resides adjacent a wearer's body. At least one heating pad is disposed in the wearable garment and the heating pad is configured, when heated, to radiate heat from the interior portion of the garment to a wearer. The heating pad comprises at least one heating element fixed to or otherwise incorporated into a flexible carrier. The heating element is configured on the carrier such that, when heated, the heating element produces on the carrier a field of warmth characterized by a plurality of areas of increased thermal energy relative to other areas on the carrier. A power supply is configured to supply operating voltage to the heating element when heat is desired and a controller is used to control the power supply.