Abstract: A garment and insert combination for decreasing the risk of trauma to the hip joint in the greater trochanter region of the human body, and comprising a garment that fits over the hips and having a pocket to securely hold in place a generally planar but configured resilient hip pad. The pad is in the form of an annulus of generally inverted “U” configuration with the outer edges being coincidental with the outer periphery of the elliptical form, and with the annulus being open in the area covering the greater trochanter region.

Abstract: A form-fitting garment having side pockets that allow hip pads for the protection of the greater trochanter, to be securely positioned and centered above the greater trochanter region is described. The hip pads have a slit extending through the planar surface that is centered over the greater trochanter region and disperses any impact forces against the pad away from the greater trochanter region.

Abstract: An ankle calf exerciser/phlebo pump adapted to reduce the development of deep vein thromboses (DVT), leg edema, muscular atrophy and ankle joint stiffness in postoperative orthopedic patients. An efficient and simple driving mechanism is provided from imparting an alternating and reciprocating movement of a pair of foot paddles. The foot paddles are coupled to the driving mechanism such that only the patient's ankles will be flexed while the knee and hip remains stationary. This device is ideally suited for patients with hip fractures, and hip replacement with prosthesis. The speed of paddle reciprocation can be selected, as can the arcuate path of travel of the foot paddles by adjusting the length of a driving rod.

Abstract: Body fluid absorbing cushioning means for use by invalids and bed-ridden persons for absorption of body waste fluids and for relief of pressure areas on the skin. The cushioning means comprises a laminate with at least three layers including an inner water absorbent layer, an outer generally water impervious layer, and a center layer consisting of an array of generally closely spaced enclosures defining air supported closed cells. Further, in order to accommodate transfer of body fluids from the inner layer, bores may be formed in the center layer between individual enclosures, wherein a second water absorbing layer is provided on the opposite side of the impervious cell layer.

Abstract: A support bandage for providing temporary support and at least partial immobilization of the ankle joint which comprises an "L"-shaped bandage, the entire underside of which is coated with adhesive of the type typically used for adhesive bandages. One segment of the "L" bandage is applied over the ankle joint and continuously across the underside of the arch of the foot, and up to the opposite side of the ankle joint. The other segment of the "L"-shaped support bandage is thereafter wrapped about the periphery of the ankle joint, securing the free end of the first-to-be-applied segment. The arrangement employs wide elongated strips of adhesive-backed tape which are fixedly arranged in a generally right angular relationship, one to the other in order to form the "L"-shaped arrangement. The utilization of a single wide strip provides for a more secure and uniform application of immobilizing force to the ankle area.

Abstract: A releasably attachable insulative covering for a skate shoe and comprising a covering panel adapted to envelop the skate shoe and fabricate it from thermally insulative material. The panel includes a toe covering portion, a heel covering portion, and an in-step covering portion therebetween, with flexible fastening means for releasably attaching the covering panel to the skate shoe. The flexible fastening means includes a plurality of mating interconnecting pairs of hooks and loops, and are mounted on the covering panel with one such mating pair being secured generally vertically along the rear portion of the panel to form a heel closure, and with another such mating pair being secured as cross-strap tab fasteners for coupling generally transversely across the undersurface of the arch portion of the skate shoe.