Abstract: A process for tracking skilled-service rendered a patient by a provider at a treatment location including: generating, at the treatment location, at least one record of progress made toward each treatment goal identified for the patient and addressed by the provider during a session; receiving an input comprising each record of progress so generated, for storage as treatment record data at a host location. Data is stored in searchable data fields for access and retrieval upon command. Using the treatment record data and a host processor, a patient report is automatically generated for submitting to an entity selected from the group consisting of a health care facility, a health care provider, an insurer, the patient, an entity authorized to receive records of the patient, and a record-keeping entity for the provider. Each treatment goal identified is preferably based upon an evaluation of the patient's condition.

Abstract: A process for tracking skilled-service rendered a patient by a provider at a treatment location including: generating, at the treatment location, at least one record of progress made toward each treatment goal identified for the patient and addressed by the provider during a session; receiving an input comprising each record of progress so generated, for storage as treatment record data at a host location. Data is stored in searchable data fields for access and retrieval upon command. Using the treatment record data and a host processor, a patient report is automatically generated for submitting to an entity selected from the group consisting of a health care facility, a health care provider, an insurer, the patient, an entity authorized to receive records of the patient, and a record-keeping entity for the provider. Each treatment goal identified is preferably based upon an evaluation of the patient's condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in bracing or exercising a knee joint in a manner that allows bending of the joint only along a predetermined path which approximates the natural bending of the joint. On at least one side of the joint are upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a connecting mechanism which includes a set of linkage arms and telescoping elements that allow the struts to pivot relative to one another along the prescribed pivot line. The amount of joint flexing or extension is adjustable by use of spacers placed in the telescoping portions or by the activation of a releasable lock. The apparatus may be used as a brace or, alternatively, may be used with or without a cycling mechanism to flex and extend the joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in bracing or exercising a knee joint in a manner that allows bending of the joint only along a predetermined path which approximates the natural bending of the joint. On one side of the joint are upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a connecting mechanism which includes a set of linkage arms and telescoping elements that allow the struts to pivot relative to one another along the prescribed pivot line. On the other side of the joint are other upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a ball and socket connector. The apparatus may be used as a brace or, alternatively, may be used with a cycling mechanism to cyclically flex and extend the joint or with a force-applying mechanism to apply a constant force urging the extension or flexing of the joint.

Abstract: A dynamic splint which braces any joint and particularly any body joint, and which is capable of cyclically moving the joint through a programmable range of motion while accommodating normal joint component motion and triplanar motion. In a preferred embodiment, a set of inner joint segments nest within a set of outer joint segments and are pivotally attached thereto. An extendable cable slidably attached to the outer joint segments causes a pivoting of the outer joint segments with respect to the inner joint segments and a consequent flexing and extending of the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the mobility of the ankle joint by application of a continuous or cycled force between the lower leg and anterior portion of the heel. In a preferred embodiment, an expandable cylinder is pivotally attached to a heel cup and to a lower leg cuff. A selected and quantifiable force is applied between the heel cup and lower leg cuff by a slidable expansion of concentric sleeves within the expandable cylinder using a coiled spring.

Abstract: A dynamic splint which braces any joint and particularly any body joint, and is capable of cyclically moving the joint through a programmable range of motion while accommodating normal joint component motion and triplant motion. In a preferred embodiment, an extendable cable with a cable sleeve mounted on one limb and a rotatable inner threaded cable threaded through a threaded mounting bracket on the other limb extends and contacts to cause flexing and extension of the joint.