Abstract: An anatomically fitted talar component for use in an ankle replacement system having a body including a talar surface having a portion contoured to approximately or exactly fit with a surface portion of a three dimensional rendering of bone of a talar dome; and a tibial surface configured for forming a joint with a second component of the ankle replacement system. A method of forming the talar component by: (i) obtaining image data of the talar dome, (ii) using the data to create a three-dimensional model of the talar dome, and (iii) forming a body having a talar surface that approximately or exactly fits with a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: An alignment guide for total ankle replacement surgery and a method of creating and using the alignment guide. The alignment guide has a surface that interfaces with a corresponding surface of a superior aspect a talus of a patient, and as second surface portion that interfaces with a corresponding distal surface of a section of a tibia of the patient. When the alignment guide is in position, it maintains the ankle of the patient in a preselected position.

Abstract: An alignment guide for total ankle replacement surgery and a method of creating and using the alignment guide. The alignment guide has a surface that interfaces with a corresponding surface of a superior aspect a talus of a patient, and as second surface portion that interfaces with a corresponding distal surface of a section of a tibia of the patient. When the alignment guide is in position, it maintains the ankle of the patient in a preselected position.

Abstract: An anatomically fitted talar component for use in an ankle replacement system having a body including a talar surface having a portion contoured to approximately or exactly fit with a surface portion of a three dimensional rendering of bone of a talar dome; and a tibial surface configured for forming a joint with a second component of the ankle replacement system. A method of forming the talar component by: (i) obtaining image data of the talar dome, (ii) using the data to create a three-dimensional model of the talar dome, and (iii) forming a body having a talar surface that approximately or exactly fits with a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: An alignment guide for total ankle replacement surgery and a method of creating and using the alignment guide. The alignment guide has a surface that interfaces with a corresponding surface of a superior aspect a talus of a patient, and as second surface portion that interfaces with a corresponding distal surface of a section of a tibia of the patient. When the alignment guide is in position, it maintains the ankle of the patient in a preselected position.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle including a talar component and a tibial component. At least a portion of top surface of the talar component has a convex curvature, relative to a location above the top surface, in the anterior to posterior direction as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section, and a concave curvature relative to a location above the top surface, in the medial to lateral direction. An axis of cone projected based on medial and lateral circles located in medial and lateral sagittal plane cross-sections which approximate the average radius of curvature of the top surface of the talar component as viewed in medial and lateral sagittal plane cross-sections, has a total offset angle from the lateral direction in the range of 0° to 45°. In another aspect, the present invention further comprises a bearing component adapted for location between the tibial component and the talar component.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle including a talar component and a tibial component. At least a portion of top surface of the talar component has a convex curvature, relative to a location above the top surface, in the anterior to posterior direction as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section, and a concave curvature relative to a location above the top surface, in the medial to lateral direction. An axis of cone projected based on medial and lateral circles located in medial and lateral sagittal plane cross-sections which approximate the average radius of curvature of the top surface of the talar component as viewed in medial and lateral sagittal plane cross-sections, has a total offset angle from the lateral direction in the range of 0° to 45°. In another aspect, the present invention further comprises a bearing component adapted for location between the tibial component and the talar component.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle comprising a talar component and a tibial component. At least a portion of top surface of the talar component has a convex curvature, relative to a location above the top surface, in the anterior to posterior direction as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section, a concave curvature relative to a location above the top surface, in the medial to lateral direction, and an average radius of curvature of at least a major portion of the medial side of the top surface of the talar component is larger than an average radius of curvature of at least a major portion of the lateral side of the top surface of the talar component as viewed in sagittal plane cross-sections on the lateral and medial sides. A bearing component for location between the tibial and talar component is also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation brace responsive to various positions of an intended wearer's foot. The device includes a plurality of sensors positioned at different locations under the intended wearer's foot to detect the current position of the foot. Outputs from the sensors are fed to a controller that uses logic to activate an electrical stimulation unit that stimulates the peroneal muscles of a patient at the appropriate times during the patient's gait. The device may also employ mechanical stabilization of the ankle in addition to the functional electrical stimulation by means of an ankle foot orthosis with a variable resistance hinge. The electrodes are embedded in fixed locations in the brace upper portion so that optimal location of the electrodes relative to the peroneal muscles is maintained every time the device is applied. Also provided is a method for assistance and rehabilitation for a patient by electrical stimulation of the peroneal muscles.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle comprising a talar component and a tibial component. At least a portion of top surf ace of the talar component has a convex curvature, relative to a location above the top surface, in the anterior to posterior direction as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section, a concave curvature relative to a location above the top surf ace, in the medial to lateral direction, and an average radius of curvature of at least a major portion of the medial side of the top surface of the talar component is larger than an average radius of curvature of at least a major portion of the lateral side of the top surface of the talar component as viewed in sagittal plane cross-sections on the lateral and medial sides. A bearing component for location between the tibial and talar component is also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: A cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation brace responsive to various positions of an intended wearer's foot. The device includes a plurality of sensors positioned at different locations under the intended wearer's foot to detect the current position of the foot. Outputs from the sensors are fed to a controller that uses logic to activate an electrical stimulation unit that stimulates the peroneal muscles of a patient at the appropriate times during the patient's gait. The device may also employ mechanical stabilization of the ankle in addition to the functional electrical stimulation by means of an ankle foot orthosis with a variable resistance hinge. The electrodes are embedded in fixed locations in the brace upper portion so that optimal location of the electrodes relative to the peroneal muscles is maintained every time the device is applied. Also provided is a method for assistance and rehabilitation for a patient by electrical stimulation of the peroneal muscles.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation brace responsive to various positions of an intended wearer's foot. The device includes a plurality of sensors positioned at different locations under the intended wearer's foot to detect the current position of the foot. Outputs from the sensors are fed to a controller that uses logic to activate an electrical stimulation unit that stimulates the peroneal muscles of a patient at the appropriate times during the patient's gait. The device may also employ mechanical stabilization of the ankle in addition to the functional electrical stimulation by means of an ankle foot orthosis with a variable resistance hinge. The electrodes are embedded in fixed locations in the brace upper portion so that optimal location of the electrodes relative to the peroneal muscles is maintained every time the device is applied. Also provided is a method for assistance and rehabilitation for a patient by electrical stimulation of the peroneal muscles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.