Abstract: A posterior lumbar lordosis orthotic device includes front and back panels and sides. The back panel is shaped to simulate the lordosis of an individual and has upper and lower regions angularly related to one another. Screws accessible from the inside of the back panel are rotatable to adjust the angle between the upper and lower regions to more closely accommodate the specific lordosis of an individual. The front panel is secured to the sides, using modified pop rivets, enabling the front panel and sides to be adjustably secured to one another to adjust the overall girth of the device and to differentially adjust the girth along upper and lower portions of the device to accommodate individuals of different waist and hip sizes.

Abstract: A posterior lumbar lordosis orthotic device includes front and back panels and sides. The back panel is shaped to simulate the lordosis of an individual and has upper and lower regions angularly related to one another. Screws accessible from the inside of the back panel are rotatable to adjust the angle between the upper and lower regions to more closely accommodate the specific lordosis of an individual. The front panel is secured to the sides, using modified pop rivets, enabling the front panel and sides to be adjustably secured to one another to adjust the overall girth of the device and to differentially adjust the girth along upper and lower portions of the device to accommodate individuals of different waist and hip sizes.

Abstract: A fastener system for use in reattaching a skull flap in an opening formed in a patient's skull during brain surgery, is simple, quick, and easy to use, and is cost effective. The system includes a fastener element and a substantially disc shaped lock element. Both are made of bio-compatible radiolucent rigid plastic material. The fastener element has a substantially disc shaped head and a shank, the shank having substantially flat first and second substantially parallel surfaces having ratchet teeth on them. The shank typically has a thickness, with ratchet teeth, where it extends through a gap between the skull flap and the skull, of about 1-2 mm. The lock element has a through extending opening defined at least in part by locking teeth which cooperate with the ratchet teeth to allow the lock element to be brought tightly into contact with the skull and skull flap to hold the fastener and lock elements in place and to position the skull flap in the skull.

Abstract: A thoracal lumbosacral orthosis includes an anterior panel and a posterior panel for overlying anterior and posterior trunk portions of a patient's torso. The panels are strapped one to the other along opposite side edges and about a patient's torso. The anterior panel has an upper edge having a central arcuate concave recess and a pair of lateral arcuate concave recesses straddling the central recess to prevent discomfort or injury to the patient's neck upon lumbosacral flexion and facilitating shoulder movement, respectively. An opening is formed in the anterior panel overlying the diaphragm region of the patient to facilitate patient respiration. The posterior panel has an opening overlying the spine of the patient. This posterior opening is closed with a flexible, preferably foam, material, such that only light pressure is applied to a spinal surgical site in response to attempted movements by the patient or expansion, e.g., swelling, of the surgical site.

Abstract: The halo ring comprises a generally elliptical ring interrupted at one end and having a circular cross-section. Split ring clamps are provided along the ring, each clamp having a set screw for temporarily adjusting the ring in a selected longitudinal along and angular position about the halo ring. Attachment clamps in the form of split rings are also provided the halo ring body for securing the halo ring to a support structure. By threading pins through the pin clamps into the individual's skull and employing lock nuts, the pin clamps can be finally secured to the halo ring body.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder is formed of translucent material and includes a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes seamed one to the other in side-by-side generally parallel relation. End tubes extend at right angles to the longitudinally extending tubes, with all of the tubes being in fluid communication one with the other. The longitudinally extending tubes and the end tubes are sized and/or connected one to the other such that, upon inflation, the inflated bladder is supported by the inflated end tubes, with the underside of the longitudinally extending tubes elevated above the surface supporting the end tubes sufficiently to define a recess for receiving an X-ray plate or cassette. Manual movement of the patient is entirely avoided.

Abstract: A halo vest (for cervical and spine injuries) having a body of structural material such as hard plastic has halo supporting rods and a halo attached to it. A lining of wicking material is provided for the vest body. The vest body has a surface configuration that avoids pressure on bony prominences, has flat surfaces at flat bone areas and curved surfaces at curved bone areas of the user, and exerts less than about seven pounds per square inch pressure on the wearer's skin. No dimension from an interior surface point to the closest peripheral portion is larger than the ability of the lining to readily wick liquid from the interior surface point to the peripheral portion so as to avoid skin wetness. The lining comprises a first layer of water proof and vapor proof material like cross-linked closed cell polyethylene foam having grooves to facilitate transport of liquid toward the periphery of the vest, and a second layer of soft, wicking textile material that is air, water, and vapor permeable.

Abstract: A shaped halo vest includes front and back vest components for overlying the front and back of the patient's upper torso. Each component is shaped three-dimensionally to load selected areas of the body, i.e., selected muscle groups, and avoid loading other selected areas of the body, i.e., bony prominences. The shaping includes three-dimensional compound curves for bowing the molded plastic vest components inwardly to transfer loads or outwardly to avoid transfer of loads. The marginal edges of the vest components are flared outwardly to avoid pinching or bruising the underlying tissue upon relative movement of the patient and vest. The three-dimensional compound curves and the flared edges contribute to the structural rigidity of the vest. The front and back components are secured one to the other by adjustable straps along the opposite sides of the lower portions of the vest and adjustable length shoulder straps. Vent holes are provided in the back vest component.

Abstract: A transportation and procedure board for immobilizing a patient with cervical injuries includes a traction indicating device integrally formed with the board for maintaining traction irrespective of the orientation of the board. The board includes handholds along opposite sides, a plurality of straps for immobilizing the patient and releasably connectable to the board, and a common traction applicator and indicator disposed at the foot of the board. The board is completely self-contained and all parts are formed of materials compatible for use with radiolucent machines, such as C.T., M.R.I. and X-ray machines.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit of resilient blocks and an assemblage thereof for positioning and supporting a patient for spinal surgery. The blocks have hook and loop fasteners for securing them in the assemblage in their required positions. The blocks are shaped and dimensioned for different patient sizes and different curvatures of the patient's spine so that the assemblage of blocks may be customized to the individual patient's size and shape and the requirements of the surgery. The blocks include a base block, a U-shaped block, inside and outside filler blocks, face and chest blocks, and a pair each of flexion, lordosis or neutral blocks. The nature of the surgical procedure and the size and shape of the patient determine the size and identity of the blocks to be used. The base board and blocks are radiolucent so that X-ray fluorescence may be performed during the surgical procedure both P/A and laterally.

Abstract: A tibial torsion splint allows for the adjustment of a foot plate and a leg support with respect to a frame so as to accommodate a user who is knock-kneed, or has a related condition; and to control pronation and supination in a simple yet effective manner, while still providing conventional external and internal adjustment of the foot plate, and adjustment of the spacing between the leg support and the foot plate. A circular cross-section rod and a pair of U-clamps which are connected to the foot plate and the leg support, respectively, by threaded fasteners, comprise a strong frame while also accommodating the various adjustments that are necessary. Straps are associated with portions of a right angle member which defines the leg support, the straps having a rigid backing which is adjustably positioned over the length of the rigid angle member, a wide padded portion, and a narrow fastening portion preferably having hook and pile fasteners.

Abstract: A special halo assembly is used with a stereotaxic device including a frame having four radiolucent substantially planar walls with radiopague indicia formed on the walls, and is operatively fixed to the frame walls by brackets to positively position the halo assembly in a predetermined position with respect to the walls. The frame is fixed with respect to a radiotherapy machine or a CT scanner. The halo assembly includes a number of brackets each having a first portion fixed to the ring component of the assembly, and a second substantially planar portion extending radially outwardly from the ring component. A method of practicing radiotherapy on a patient having a brain lesion or the like is accomplished utilizing the device. The halo assembly is surgically affixed to the patient's head to be maintained in place until all radiotherapy sessions for the patient are completed.