Abstract: Hand, knee and elbow orthosis each have a deformable semi-rigid stiffener having two end plates joined by a narrow midportion and contained between thin foam sheets to make an insert. A finger separator may be attached and adjustably positioned on the hand orthosis. The finger separator may include a plurality of upstanding partitions and an elastic element for releasably securing the separator to the orthosis.

Abstract: Hand, knee and elbow orthosis each have a deformable semi-rigid stiffener having two end plates joined by a narrow midportion and contained between thin foam sheets to make an insert. A launderable cover of terry cloth fabric with permanently attached straps and a zippered opening fully envelops the insert. The hand orthosis has symmetrical left and right thumb extenders for ambidextrous application. The elbow and knee orthosis are symmetrical in length and width for convenient application insensitive to orientation of the orthosis on either a right or left limb.

Abstract: Hand, knee and elbow orthosis each have a deformable semi-rigid stiffener having two end plates joined by a narrow midportion and contained between thin foam sheets to make an insert. A launderable cover of terry cloth fabric with permanently attached straps and a zippered opening fully envelops the insert. The hand orthosis has symmetrical left and right thumb supports for ambidextrous application. A finger separator may be attached and adjustably positioned on the hand orthosis. The elbow and knee orthosis have a bifurcated center strap which receives the bony elbow or knee protrusion to hold the orthosis in place, and are symmetrical in length and width for convenient application insensitive to orientation of the orthosis on either a right or left limb.

Abstract: A seating device for aged, infirm and handicapped persons includes a passive, pivotably mounted, energy storage device laterally disposed below a seat base, and a parallelogram linkage between the seat base and a chair seat for controlling elevation and tilting motion of the seat. A lever which can be coupled at selectable points along an arc about the pivot point of the energy storage device exerts torque on the parallelogram linkage to oppose downward movement and aid upward movement. By varying the position of engagement of the energy storage device to the lever, the force exerted can be adjusted to the weight of the user.

Abstract: A system for continuous passive motion of a limb or one or more fingers comprises a reciprocable carriage coupled to a drive belt which is driven by a motor through a disengageable clutch. A second drive belt also driven by the motor, and the first drive belt, carry elements whose positions can be sensed to control limits of motion. Individual finger actuators, adjustable in length and with internal springs, couple engagement means on the fingers to the carriage, which can be driven so as to provide predetermined dwell times at limits of flexion and extension.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and selectively mixing at least two distinct substances in a common package has a container (10) for creating a substance holding chamber (16) in which is disposed a barrier (18) arranged for separating the chamber into at least two compartments (20, 22) each holding a predetermined quantity of a substance different from a substance being held in the other compartment. Provision is made for exerting an external force on the barrier so as to open same and cause communication between the compartments. Subsequent mixing of the substances contained in the compartments is achieved either by continued movement of the barrier or by a separate mixing device.

Abstract: A zero or low insertion force electrical connector is provided by a pair of elements which may be fitted together along a longitudinal insertion axis, and then engaged in edge contact relationship at at least two points by a relative pivoting movement. The elements may be fabricated of relatively thin sheets, and have a total thickness corresponding to only two thicknesses of the material. Connectors in accordance with the invention may be made of identical or dissimilar elements, and may include means for preventing out-of-plane shifting of one element relative to the other. Because of the thin edge profile, the elements may be densely packed in a multiple connector, and because of the hinging action the connectors may provide structural support for circuit boards or conductors to which they are coupled, or enable access to circuits for testing under an applied voltage.