Abstract: Four post units in a positional pattern on which the patient lies, in a surgery operation. The post units are supported on a table, and have recesses in their under surface forming vacuum chambers with the table top. Hoses lead from the vacuum chambers to a vacuum source, and valve means individually control the hoses. The post units are thus locked in place by vacuum, and each can be released individually to enable it to be adjustably moved on the table top to enable better positioning for engagement by the patient.

Abstract: An inflatable nursing pillow having multiple air chambers which provide adjustability of air pressure and customized support for a child during bottle and breast-feeding. The device is anatomically shaped in a substantially yoke shaped configuration to extend around the user's torso and provide support for either left-handed or right-handed feeding. Each air chamber has an independent air valve to allow separate adjustment of air pressure. This adjustability allows customized support and adaptation for the size of the child, position of the user and child, and adaptation with chair arms, bed railings, or other physical constraints. The invention includes a removable elastic cover which provides a soft and moisture absorbent outer surface which can be easily changed and washed. The device is fully portable and can be deflated for storage or transportation and folded up into small dimensions for convenient carrying in a handbag or other suitable article.

Abstract: A chair restraint for supporting a patient in a sitting position from a chair or the like includes an upper torso support member having an orthotic support panel readily removable therefrom. The orthotic support panel is made from a plastic which is readily deformable by a heat gun or the like such that it may be custom fit to surround the patient both from his back and sides to provide lateral support to the patient. The upper torso restraint member includes a pair of straps extending forwardly to wrap around the front of the patient to thereby secure the patient within the upper torso restraint member. A seat cushion member includes a flat panel stiffener to provide a firm base for the patient and an interior cushioning member which is inclined generally rearwardly to thereby cradle the patient within the restraint. A center divider member of cushioning material provides two separately defined areas for receiving the patient's legs.

Abstract: A bath pillow for use as a head rest within a bathtub has an outer casing enclosing a resilient plastic foam filler. The casing includes a front covering and a rear covering secured together at respective peripheral edges corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the pillow. A sheet of film is disposed between the front and rear coverings and secured to the peripheral edges thereof. A resilient suction cup is secured to the sheet of film and projects outwardly from the rear covering so that the film and the front covering provide a water impervious enclosure about the foam filler, and the detaching force is not applied directly to the rear surface but is applied to the film sheet which is aided by the rear covering.

Abstract: A seat cushion includes a rigid base and at least one internal rear wedge disposed on or formed on the upper surface of the base and having a first upper face that slants downward toward the front of the base. It also includes at least one internal front wedge formed on the upper surface of the base and having a second upper face that slants downward toward the rear of the base. It further includes an external cushion, the internal wedges and base being fixed within the external cushion. The cushion has a rocker on the lower surface of the base to allow its angle of tilt to be adjusted by the user.

Abstract: Meditation in the seated position with both knees flat on the floor is enhanced by a tapered seat that is provided with at least one recess to accomodate a heel. The taper of the support is downwardly toward the heel recess, thereby encouraging the meditator to sit erect with much of the weight felt on the knees. Sloping downward projections from the seat that extend under the thighs serve to distribute the weight and reduce any problem of circulation in the legs.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive mat particularly suitable for domestic animals to provide a way of collecting loose fur. The mat is rectangularly shaped and in a preferred embodiment is formed from a top and bottom layer of biodegradable paper and an intermediate layer of cellulose material. Since the same material is used on both sides of the mat, it can be adapted to lay on the floor with either side facing upwards. The rough texture and static electricity of the paper along with the movement of the animal on the mat enables it to collect the loose fur. Small packages of insect killing powder can also be incorporated into the construction of the mat so as to facilitate both insect and loose hair control.

Abstract: An improved patient leg support and bedding support frame which serves to elevate the sheets and blankets to prevent their interfering with the patient's leg movements, a leg support member formed of resilient material insertable between a patient's legs to assure maintenance of desired spacing of the legs and pivotally attachable to the frame to enable the patient to turn his legs and body without additional assistance.

Abstract: An adjustable resilient pad is disclosed that is used in conjunction with an orthopedic external fixator as means for supporting a patient's extremity during therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: Bedding configurations are disclosed having supporting surfaces the firmness of which may be selectively adjustable by remote control means, providing for a supporting surface which may be quickly and easily adjusted by a user for maximum comfort. Various air chambers, cylinders, and tubes are disclosed for use in the central or "lumbar" portions of the mattresses of such bedding configurations, which may be selectively inflated or deflated in order to provide corresponding firmness levels. In a preferred embodiment a body support is comprised of an array of barrel-shaped coils that define elongate gaps at their top and bottom portions, with an elongate, inflatable tube positioned at least in the gaps defined in the top portion of the body support.

Abstract: A device and method for treating scoliosis utilizing an easy to use seat cushion comprised of two members having angled top surfaces. The two members are arranged in an opposed side-by-side position. In use, the innominate bones and entire pelvic girdle of a patient seated on the seat cushion are tractioned into an opposing configuration through application of torque thereto and tilting thereof.

Abstract: A skeletal support pillow conforming to the bodily skeletal dimensions of a user is provided which is dimensioned according to the bodily measurements of the user. The pillow includes a head support pillow section having a thickness approximately equal to the long leg of the right triangle whose hypotenuse lies between the acromial clavicular joint and the ipsilateral angle of the user's jaw. An arm tunnel/bridge section is attached at one side to the base of the head support pillow section, the tunnel having a diameter slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the user's upper arm. A body support section is attached to the opposite side of the arm tunnel/bridge section. The body support section has an upper body support portion having a thickness approximately equal to the distance between opposite auxillary folds of the user's body, and a lower limb support section approximately equal in thickness to the distance between the user's greater trochanter and the contralateral anterior superior iliac spine.