Vest Or Shirt Type For Upper Torso Patents (Class 128/874)
  • Patent number: 11589945
    Abstract: A surgical restraint is disclosed including a body strap, a sling, and a connecting strap. The body strap is arranged and disposed to wrap over patient's torso and around a support disposed below the patient, restraining the patient against the support. The sling is arranged and disposed to cradle an upper arm, an elbow and a forearm of a patient's arm. The connecting strap includes a first attachment site associated with a brace and a second attachment site associated with the sling. The connecting strap is arranged and disposed to cross over the patient's shoulder between the first attachment site and the second attachment site. The surgical restraint is arranged and disposed to restrain the patient's arm against the patient's torso and removed from a surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Carl R Freeman
  • Patent number: 11324332
    Abstract: The present bed bumper apparatus includes an elongate body that is resilient and flexible, an inner cover enclosing an entirety of the elongate body such that the elongate body is removable from the inner cover only by destroying an integrity of the inner cover, an outer cover enclosing an entirety of the inner cover having the elongate body, and a flexible strap engaged to the outer cover and having a quick release buckle and length adjuster such that the bed bumper can be engaged to a mattress at an edge of the mattress to minimize a person from rolling off the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Kasey L. Pipo, Kyle J. Willette
  • Patent number: 11319976
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the location of a patient using an integrated belt and sensor for alarm for patient furniture. The belt may include a plurality of straps configured to be releasably attached to one another and an alarm system that is triggered when at least one of the straps is disengaged from the other strap or straps. By requiring multiple straps to be released from one another, the amount of time it takes to remove the belt can be increased, which provides medical personnel additional time to reach a patient. Additionally, the system may include additional components to allow a patient to move side-to-side relative to the furniture or device. For instance, where the furniture is a bed, side-to-side movement is desired for added comfort. The system may include a slider enabling the belt to be adjustable for patients of any number of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TIDI Products, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Seizo Carr, Alex Bekker, Samantha McCarthy, Shayna Massi, Beth Hudson, Brittany Johnson
  • Patent number: 11298256
    Abstract: A safe mobility transport harness allows for safely restraining persons and for safely restraining the person's arms and legs to prevent a person from escape or being combative by using his or her elbows, arms or legs to suddenly run or unexpected elbow or kick another person, and yet, when in need to transport, the restraints may be safely and easily adjusted to allow for authorized, safe and limited movement and walking of the restrained person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Safe Restraints, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald O'Dell, Charles Hammond
  • Patent number: 11247081
    Abstract: A rescue device for moving a subject includes a brace member for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together. The brace member includes a central section, a first lateral section and a second lateral section, and a fastener. The brace member is capable of forming a loop for securing the arms and the torso of the subject together by fastening the first lateral section to the second lateral section with the fastener. A ribbon member pair for moving and/or stabilizing a subject wearing the brace member when said rescue device is in use includes a first ribbon member having a first portion connected to the brace member and a second ribbon member having a second portion connected to the brace member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: PAULUS WILHELMUS JOHANNES MARIA VAN DER ZWAAN
    Inventor: Paulus Wilhelmus Johannes Maria Van Der Zwaan
  • Patent number: 11229542
    Abstract: A soft robotic spinal orthosis includes a control system having at least one processor, a plurality of adjustable pressure fluid bladders to provide at least one variable supporting force to a torso of a user, a plurality of supports to secure the fluid bladders to the torso, at least one sensor to detect a position of the torso, and at least one pressure device to increase and decrease a fluid pressure of the fluid bladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, DIGNITY HEALTH
    Inventors: Deven Govin, Laura Snyder, Panagiotis Polygerinos, Grigoria Athanasaki, Luis Saenz
  • Patent number: 11202477
    Abstract: A garment for providing access to feeding tubes while the garment is being worn by a patient/individual. The garment includes a centralized access opening that is closable for portions of time and that provide access to a feeding tube or feeding tube mechanism that has been surgically implemented in a patient. The access opening may be located relatively central to the garment and can illustratively include additional fasteners that can secure a portion of the feeding tube to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 11185432
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes soft-robotic wearable devices to treat and/or relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for example during typing assist applications. Soft actuators within the device adjust the angle of the wearer's wrist angle dynamically to achieve a neutral angle, alleviating the pressure on the median nerve and relieving Carpal Tunnel Syndrome strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Mengjia Zhu, Wade Adams, Panagiotis Polygerinos
  • Patent number: 11141304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bending/stretching capability improving device worn on a human body, which reduces a load on the waist in an equivalent amount to the combination of an acting repulsive force from an elastic body and an action of a tension winch during a bending/stretching exercise or when a weight is lifted, and which accordingly reduces damage to the waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Donggwan Park
  • Patent number: 11058599
    Abstract: Compression garments may include mitts and tightening apparatus to don, or put on, such compression garments. The mitts may be configured to receive a user's hand such that the user can move one or more portions of the garments using the mitts. The tightening apparatus may allow a user to selectively tighten or loosen the garments about the user's body portions. Once donned, the compression garments may apply pressure to one or more regions of the user's body such as, e.g., arm regions, shoulder regions, torso regions, and neck regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Chase, Darren Jay Wennen, Kristian Dior Gamble
  • Patent number: 10806633
    Abstract: A therapeutic cushioning boot including a body at least partially fiber filled, the body including a first sidewall panel, a second sidewall panel, and a rear panel; the boot also including at least one boundary portion disposed between the panels, and a fiber filled foot gate attached to the body portion between the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: EHOB, INC.
    Inventors: James G. Spahn, Aaron D. Kadel, James Q. Bui, Sharon Lucich
  • Patent number: 10660780
    Abstract: A shoulder stabilizing system is provided which provides 360 degrees of support utilizing four adjustable tensioning systems that are each responsible for a quadrant of the shoulder. The four tensioning systems work together to give the user the ability to control all movements of the shoulder including internal and external rotation, horizontal abduction and adduction, while offering 360 degrees support to the shoulder capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Doak Ostergard
  • Patent number: 9993310
    Abstract: A surgical drape is provided that has a drape body that has an upper surface and an oppositely disposed lower surface. A sleeve extends from the drape body into which an arm of a patient is located when the drape is positioned on the patient. A sleeve attachment component is located on the sleeve, and a body attachment component that is located on the drape body. The sleeve attachment component is attachable to the body attachment component in order to attach the sleeve to the drape body at a first location. A fenestration is present through which a portion of the patient can be accessed when the drape is positioned on the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Michael John Pecora
  • Patent number: 9827152
    Abstract: A stretcher including a flexible base panel sized to support a person lying thereon during a rescue or extrication operation. The base panel includes a header end and an opposite footer end, and further includes a support mat resting on the base panel between the header and footer ends. The stretcher further includes a stability strap coupled to the base panel and fixedly attached to the rear surface of the support mat, the stability strap operable to retain the support mat in position against the flexible panel during use. The rescue stretcher may further include a pair of shoulder straps and leg straps fixedly coupled to the support mat for securing the person to the base panel. A securement strap may be coupled to the base panel and extend across the flexible base panel to help prevent the injured person from rolling off the sides of the stretcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Skedco, Inc.
    Inventor: Carston R. Calkin
  • Patent number: 9622591
    Abstract: For use with a high chair of the type commonly provided by a restaurant, a disposable cover has an inside portion that is nested into a seating volume of the high chair, and an outside portion that covers the outside of the high chair. There are leg apertures in the inside portion and outside portion such that a child's legs pass through the various leg apertures and desirably pull the disposable cover over a safety bar of the high chair, thereby properly positioning the disposable cover without the need for adhesives or fasteners. Complimentary pairs of seat belt apertures in the inside portion and outside portion may be provided to additionally position the disposable cover and prevent it from being pulled into the seating volume of the high chair by an active child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Richard Lipson
  • Patent number: 9032963
    Abstract: Wraps for swaddling babies are provided that include a body having a base side. The wrap can further include two arms that are attached to the base side of the body of the wrap. The arms can extend outward in an opposite direction to one another along the base side of the body of the wrap. Related methods of using the wrap are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Carolyn Grissom
  • Publication number: 20150101618
    Abstract: The present invention is an under garment product that will be the new innovative undergarment to redefine the posture of any individual who has scoliosis. This undergarment will be comfortable, discreet and affordable. It will be a world changing product that can make the difference for many individuals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Brenda Anderson
  • Patent number: 8955181
    Abstract: A child restraint device for use with a changing surface for diapering a child, which includes a rear panel, two vest flaps each attached to the rear panel, and two affixing flaps for securing the rear panel to the changing surface. Each of the two vest flap has a multiple-sided shape with a first side attached to a top edge of the rear panel, a third side attached to a side edge of the rear panel, and a second side between the first and third side forming an arm opening. The attachment locations of the two flaps to the top edge of the rear panel are spaced apart from each other for accommodating the head of the child. The two vest flaps include means for attaching them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Erin Shigeko Uyeda Kelly
  • Patent number: 8834394
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for reducing brain and cervical spine injury includes a headpiece sufficiently designed to secure to a user's head, the headpiece having a first attachment member; a support harness sufficiently designed to secure to the user's torso, the support harness having a second attachment member; and a telescoping member having a main tube and a series of progressively smaller diameter tubes nested within each other, wherein the smaller diameter tubes are adapted to extend and compress in a linear plane by the intake and outflow of fluid, wherein the telescoping member has a first engaging member for engaging the first attachment member, and wherein the telescoping member has a second engaging member for engaging the second attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Jamshid Ghajar
  • Patent number: 8808212
    Abstract: A shoulder support device includes a flexible elastic continuous ring band and a slide adjustably movable on the band that divides the band into a pair of loops defining arm receiving apertures that are cupped over the curved deltoid region of each shoulder of a wearer to pull the shoulders back and downward under tension to achieve a correct posture position. The slide is moveable to adjust tension distributed to the wearer's shoulders. When the slide is positioned midway between the shoulder blades at the back of the wearer, it provides equal distributed tension on both shoulders. Moving the slide more to the left or more to the right allows the wearer to selectively adjust which shoulder receives more tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Virginia Obana Redmond
  • Patent number: 8795213
    Abstract: An orthosis for the treatment of congenital, developmental and degenerative spinal deformities or misalignments, including an upper thoracic component adapted to cover part or the whole thorax and made in non-elastic material, a pelvic component adapted to encircle the pelvis and made in elastic-material and reinforced with non-elastic materials, a non-elastic strapping system adapted to encircle the pelvis transversely and providing a stable fitting, resistant to transverse plane rotations and proximal migration, and at least four removable, corrective elastic bands running obliquely around part or all of the body circumference and attach from the thoracic component (right shoulder, left shoulder, right distal thorax, left distal thorax) to posterior-lateral and/or anterior sections of the pelvic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Spinecorporation Limited
    Inventor: Andrew James Mills
  • Patent number: 8701674
    Abstract: An immobilization device including an anterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human chest and an anterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped anterior section generally corresponding to the sternum of the wearer. The device also includes a posterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human back and a posterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped section corresponding to the spinal column of the wearer, with elongate cushion elements connected to and extending within a width of the posterior outwardly bowed area. A strapping system connects both the anterior and posterior components to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ossur HF
    Inventors: Lisa Tweardy, Jeff Nemeth, Yessenia Lopez, Scott Alan Allread, Joseph Marlin Shook, II
  • Patent number: 8689799
    Abstract: A reversible orthosis is configured to support and/or immobilize at least one limb of a patient, including a textile article with first and second faces. The faces are equally able to contact a limb or limbs of the patient. The device includes at least one fastening tab having an active face with fastening elements cooperable with first or second securing device arranged respectively on the first and second faces and an inactive face opposite the active face. The fastening tab is fixed non-removably via its inactive face on a zone of the textile article contiguous to one of the edges of the textile article, allowing a pivot, about a pivot axis substantially parallel to this edge, between a first position, in which the active face catches by contact on the first securing device, and a second position, in which the active face catches by contact on the second securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Richard Freres SA
    Inventor: Dominique Richard
  • Patent number: 8500670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable tension chest support for use by patients having undergone thoracic surgery. The chest support may be worn directly on the skin of a patient and comprises a band of stretchable material and one or more grips which are wholly or partially concealed within pockets with which the patient may alter the tension of the chest encircling band. The device allows a patient to modify the level of tension applied to the chest, thus managing the recovery process, while providing a basic level of support at all times the support is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Doris Hjorth Hansen
  • Patent number: 8414514
    Abstract: A wearable ambulatory traction system for a user. The system can include a traction device with a traction head, a traction body, and a centralizer; a wearable fabric garment; and a pouch secured to the fabric garment. The traction device can be insertable into the pouch. A customizable wearable ambulatory traction system for a user that can include a customizable traction device with a shearable traction head and body which can be cut to a custom size by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jose Gomez, Jr., Victor B. Ramos
  • Patent number: 8361003
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for diagnosing and treating conditions of the spine employ a garment for selectively positioning vertebrae of a spine of a supine individual, e.g., during diagnostic imaging of the spine. The garment affects movement of vertebrae that can be diagnostically correlated with incidents of back pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Si-Bone, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A Reiley
  • Patent number: 8356604
    Abstract: An immobilization device including an anterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human chest and an anterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped anterior section generally corresponding to the sternum of the wearer. The device also includes a posterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human back and a posterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped section corresponding to the spinal column of the wearer, with elongate cushion elements connected to and extending within a width of the posterior outwardly bowed area. A strapping system connects both the anterior and posterior components to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ossur HF
    Inventor: Jeff Nemeth
  • Patent number: 8276224
    Abstract: A bed sheet includes a bottom fabric layer sized to extend over the sides of and underneath a mattress. A top fabric layer is generally co-extensive with, and fastened to, the bottom fabric layer and defines a pocket therebetween. A sleeping garment integrated into the top fabric layer has a pair of garment halves removably coupleable to each other via a zipper that zips up into a fastener pocket that covers the zipper when the garment is fully closed. A flap can extend from one half of the garment, over the fastener pocket and fasten to the opposite half of the garment to inhibit the user from unzipping and removing the garment. The garment can hold a lower portion of the user within said pocket, allowing the user to remain warm without the use of a separate blanket, while being able to sit or stand on the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Joanna von Yurt, Jan Marco von Yurt
  • Patent number: 8240310
    Abstract: Provided is a medical positioner having an immobilizer function. The medical positioner includes a vacuum pad allowing air to freely flow in and out through ports and regulating movement of beads, and is configured to firmly fix positioning lock bars to an outer surface of the vacuum pad. Thereby, when a patient wears the vacuum pad applied to the medical positioner, the beads held in the vacuum pad are prevented from being lopsided. The beads are grouped in cell units by partitions, so that movement of the beads from a designated cell to the neighboring cell through the ports is controlled. When the patient is examined using medical equipment, the medical positioner freely and accurately corrects a posture of the patient wearing the vacuum pad for diagnosis or treatment, and maintains the corrected posture to enhance accuracy of the diagnosis or treatment carried out through the medical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Il-Ho Soung
  • Patent number: 8215313
    Abstract: A medical garment system for comfortably restraining at least one limb of a gown wearer while permitting the wearer to receive medical treatment. The medical garment system is particularly useful for special needs patients, such as autistic children, who may become frightened when medical personnel are attempting to administer medication. Such patients may react by violently moving their arms, causing themselves or the medical personnel harm. When the arms of such a patient are comfortably subdued during such procedures, the patient is better protected from injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Lisa R. Waltz
  • Patent number: 8156938
    Abstract: A head support having a body with a recess defined along a recess edge of the body to receive a person's lower jaw. A torso engaging edge of the body opposite the recess edge being formed to engage a portion of the person's torso when the person is sitting in a substantially upright position to prevent the recess from falling away from the person's lower jaw area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Gabriel Maginness
  • Patent number: 8147437
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating a patient includes attaching a shoulder unit to a left shoulder and a right shoulder of a patient, the shoulder unit including a left shoulder portion and a right shoulder portion; securing an anchoring device to a lower body region of the patient; pulling on the left shoulder portion and the right shoulder portion so as to move the shoulders of the patient in a rearward direction; releasing the left shoulder portion and the right shoulder portion; and repeating the pulling and releasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Neville Alleyne
  • Patent number: 8118364
    Abstract: A travel blanket is placed upon an infant in a car seat. The travel blanket has contoured sleeves and an open back construction, as well as stabilization means for securing the base section of the blanket onto an outer, exterior bottom portion of the seat. With these features, the travel blanket can be readily donned upon an infant that is buckled within a car safety seat without the need to adjust safety straps. The travel blanket includes a base section constructed with a base periphery integrated with the base stabilization means. Lateral sections of the travel blanket further include lateral perimeters appointed for aiding in securing the lateral sections over the infant, without wrapping the torso of the infant. Contoured arm sleeves provide enhanced safety to infants. The sleeves snuggly fit over the infant's wrists and do not have loose flowing material about the arms and wrists, which could present a suffocation risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Margaret A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8118761
    Abstract: Traction devices, systems, and methods for their use provide simultaneous axial distraction and one of flexion, extension, or lateral flexion of the spine. The devices permit aligning at least a portion of the spine prior to traction. Traction is applied through air chambers configured and dimensioned to independently apply traction to the chin, and both occipital processes. Spiral traction procedures use sequential inflation of the air chambers, thereby providing axial distraction with spinal joint decompression and simultaneous paraspinal soft-tissue mobilization and/or manipulation. Automated systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Richard J. Rogachevsky
  • Patent number: 8117698
    Abstract: A system of placing a vest with a rear hook and loop fastener on an infant, laying the child on a changing pad having a surface hook and loop fastener, and attaching the vest to the changing pad by fastening the hook and loop fasteners together, securely holding the infant onto a changing pad while changing a diaper. The changing pad has a flap that when closed, covers the surface hook and loop fastener when the system is not in use, to prevent snagging other clothing. The vest that can be placed on the child prior to and in preparation for changing a diaper when the child is standing, seated upright, or lying down. The vest has a front hook and loop closure for easy opening and closing by the user. The vest optionally includes tethered toys to amuse the child during diaper changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Zaida Khaze Harry
  • Patent number: 7922682
    Abstract: A method of providing compressive force to a person. In one embodiment, a first level of compression is applied adjacent the axillae of the person, a second level of compression is applied to a side torso region of the person, and a third level of compression is applied to a chest region of the person. The second level of compression is greater than the first level of compression and the third level of compression is greater than the fourth level of compression. The compression may be applied using a compression garment having one or more layers of compression fabric. The garment may be configured using specific compression fabric to provide the desired levels of compression to various regions of the torso of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lightning2 LLC
    Inventors: Lesli R. Bell, Eugenie Z. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 7836891
    Abstract: This orthopedic orthosis, includes a textile article with first and second faces; the orthosis can be fitted in place such that either the first and second faces can equally well contact a patient limb. The orthosis has at least one fastening tab including an active face with fastening elements that may cooperate with first or second securing means arranged respectively on the first the second faces of the textile article, and an inactive face opposite the active face, said fastening tab being fixed non-removably via its inactive face on a zone contiguous to an edge of the textile article, so as to be able to pivot about an axis substantially parallel to this edge, between a first position, in which the active face catches by contact on the first securing means, and a second position, in which the active face catches by contact on the second securing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Richard Freres SA
    Inventor: Dominique Richard
  • Patent number: 7833182
    Abstract: A device to support the human back/spine and provide assistance in bending, lifting and standing upright comprises a strap and belt system for attachment to the body and one or more bias/tension member to provide the force necessary to urge the user's back to remain or return to a straight position. When used as intended, the device serves to encourage a healthy body position for lifting, and/or to alleviate or prevent back pain associated with bending or lifting. The bias/tension member preferably comprises at least one tension rod that is adjustably fixed to a waist belt, and slidably received by an upper bracket at or near the shoulder blade region of the back. The length of the preferred two tension rods, in effect, may be adjusted by adjusting how or where the rods are fixed to the waist belt, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Phillip K. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7785282
    Abstract: A spinal orthosis comprising a torso unit, a base member secured to the torso unit, a spring biased hinge connected at a first end to the base member and connected at a second end to a sternal support, and one or more sternal pads (or plates) connected to the sternal support. The sternal pads (or plates) may be adapted to provide a posteriorly directed force based on a bias of the spring biased hinge. The spring biased hinge may include a receiving portion that can have an adjustment mechanism at a first end and a spring to provide bias for the spring biased hinge, wherein the adjustment mechanism can be moveable through the receiving portion so as to adjust the bias of the spring biased hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Isabelle E Rauch
  • Patent number: 7774878
    Abstract: A rapidly deploying emergency evacuation stretcher includes an article for easy transport on one's person, wherein the article is characterized to include a first mode of utility and a second mode of utility, and the article includes a lightweight flexible member which is packed in an undeployed mode and disposed adjacent the article in a manner which cooperates with the article in a manner to enable the first mode of utility substantially without interference thereof and unpacked in its deployed state and cooperates with the article in a manner to provide the second mode of utility which includes forming the stretcher. A method uses the rapidly deploying emergency evacuation stretcher to transport a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Daytal LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Florea, Christine N. Florea, Darnell G. Halsall, Carlos M. Powell
  • Patent number: 7628157
    Abstract: An anterior trunk support. The anterior trunk support is shaped like a vest and is formed of non-stretch or limited stretch material over a lower portion that extends over the upper belly and lower ribs of a user, and stretch material that extends from the non-stretch material to over the shoulders of the user. In this manner, a wearer may lean slightly forward, with the stretchable shoulder portion flexibly permitting such movement. The lower section may be stretchable in a width dimension only. As such, the lower section provides movement for user's respiration, thus providing additional comfort. By not stretching in the vertical direction, the anterior trunk support does not slide up the wearer's chest when tension is applied to the upper stretchable material. Thus, comfort is maintained, and the lower section does not approach the neck of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Bodypoint, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Kosh
  • Patent number: 7568967
    Abstract: A breast sling for positioning and stabilizing a woman's breasts following cosmetic or reconstructive breast surgery includes a wide, plush pile, unidirectional elastic, torso band adjustably encircling the woman's thoracic torso immediately below the inframammary skinfold and a slightly narrower, adjustable plush pile, unidirectional elastic, breast strap secured at the top center back edge of the torso band for elastically restraining and shaping the woman's new breasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Veronica C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7549970
    Abstract: A cervical brace having a cervical collar. The collar has a front collar portion and a rear collar potion wherein the rear collar portion comprises an occipital support. A vest comprising a front vest portion and a back vest portion is attached to the front collar portion to limit movement of the front vest portion with respect to the cervical collar while the back vest portion is free to move with respect to the cervical collar rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ossur HF
    Inventor: Lisa A. G. Tweardy
  • Patent number: 7549971
    Abstract: A garment (1) for providing compressive forces to a torso to help eliminate or reduce swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in the torso region. An embodiment of the present invention includes an outer covering (10) of compression fabric, wide shoulder straps (22, 24), front and back panels of compression fabric (12, 14, 16, 18), a non-rolling rib band (72), axilla gussets (82, 84), and both front closure (40) and back closure (50). The garment may also include one or more princess seams (102, 104, 102?, 104?) so as to enable the front panel(s) to encapsulate and hold the user's breasts in place at the same time that compressive forces are applied, as well as one or more front shelves (132, 134) in the front panel(s) for providing upward compressive support to the breast tissue, thereby holding the tissue in a proper neutral position so that inward compressive forces acting on the tissue provide maximum effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Lightning2 LLC
    Inventors: Lesli R. Bell, Eugenie Z. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 7549968
    Abstract: Provided are dynamic, adjustable orthopedic devices for providing support to the spine of a vertebrate. Also provided are methods of supporting the spinal column of a vertebrate using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Milun Cojbasic
  • Patent number: 7533673
    Abstract: A surgical drape for use during surgery on a patient includes a sheet configured for covering at least a portion of the patient during the surgery. At least one pair of straps are configured on an underside of the sheet and extend in generally opposite directions laterally beyond sides of the sheet. The straps have a sufficient length so as to extend down below the support surface upon which the patient rests and engage with each other below the support surface, or with structure alongside the support surface, in order to restrain the patient in a desired position on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea L. Lewis, Uyles W. Bowen, Gwendolyn E. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080271742
    Abstract: A head support having a body with a recess defined along a recess edge of the body to receive a person's lower jaw. A torso engaging edge of the body opposite the recess edge being formed to engage a portion of the person's torso when the person is sitting in a substantially upright position to prevent the recess from falling away from the person's lower jaw area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Gabriel Maginness
  • Patent number: 7445608
    Abstract: An ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus are implemented to achieve a desired minimum level of residual cushioning in response to a biasing force applied to the associated apparatus tensioning and/or compression mechanism(s). The ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus may further include a treatment system to provide desired levels of nerve and/or muscle stimulation in addition to hot and/or cold elements to provide further therapeutic effects as desired or necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Dunfee & Dunfee LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Dunfee, Susan J. Dunfee
  • Publication number: 20080230075
    Abstract: An article of clothing that can be worn by suicidal inmates and medical patients is provided. In one embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a high-strength fabric consisting of an outer layer of tear-proof material, an inner layer of soft material, and a third layer of insulating material between the outer and inner layers that provides warmth and bulk to the fabric. The three layers are joined together with a nylon thread. The article of clothing is further comprised of at least one sleeve section that is removably attached to at least in part to a torso section, wherein the at least one sleeve section detaches from the torso section to prevent a user from injuring or killing himself. In another embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a non-woven cellular material with very low tensile strength that cannot effectively be fashioned into a rope or noose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Ayla Tasezen, Robert E. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20080023011
    Abstract: A garment designed to discourage supine sleep which intensifies snoring and apnea levels in some people. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring occur when the tongue and throat muscles relax during sleep. At that point they fall back and block the airways causing the apneas and worsening snoring. A significant percentage of snoring and OSA is position related and symptoms worsen by sleeping in a supine position. Garment or other embodiments have a unique circumference mounted pouch which allows the insert to self center on the spine and have slight movement between shoulders when user is sleeping on his or her side. The optional placement at lower neck area presses slightly against the spine to influence head to tilt up slightly and slightly close mouth while sleeping. The insert while very comfortable to sleep against is of enough diameter or depth to discourage supine and encourage side sleeping. The garment or other embodiments can also have frontal body fasteners for ease of putting on and taking off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: William Thomas Zohlmann