Abstract: A nasal dilator that prevents the outer wall tissue of the nasal passages of the nose from drawing in during breathing comprises a truss member. The truss member includes a flexible strip of material having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate segment. The first and second end regions are adapted to engage the outer wall tissue of first and second nasal passages of the nose. The intermediate segment is configured to traverse a portion of a nose located between the first and second nasal passages, and a pad can be provided to prevent adhesion of the intermediate segment to the nose. The truss member further includes first and second resilient bands secured to the strip of material adjacent opposite edges of the intermediate segment. The resiliency of the first and second resilient bands acts to stabilize the outer wall tissue and thereby prevents the outer wall tissue of the first and second nasal passages from drawing in during breathing.

Abstract: A dilator formed with a truss with a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces that provides a restoring force therebetween if forced toward one another, this restoring force provided by a resilient band extending between the opposite ends of the truss with a plurality of notches located at each of the ends thereof. The notches exceed at least a third of the thickness of the band and may comprise a separation at the location thereof between selected portions of said first resilient band with this separation surrounded by a corresponding separation edge thereabout intersecting a first surface of the first resilient band. A second and similar band may also be provided in the truss.

Abstract: A disposable adhesively engagable neck and facial wrinkle gathering device which in one embodiment includes an elongated fully elastic main strip formed of flexible non-woven hypoallergenic elastic tape adhesively coated on one entire side thereof. This embodiment also includes a non-adhesive fully elastic fabric central strip adhered against and coextensive with a central length of the adhesive side of the main strip. Another embodiment includes a length of slender elastic string connectable at each end thereof to an elastic or non-elastic adhesive strip having one adhesive surface. Both embodiments are structured to extend either partially around to the sides and back of the user's neck from the nape of the neck or downwardly from around the top of the base of the ear along either side of the ear or from the sides of the face around the back or over the crown of the head.

Abstract: A smooth but strong elastic band (1) with a Velcro attachment at one end (2) so that it can be applied tightly around the head to compress dilated blood vessels in order to provide relief of migraine headache pain. Additional firm rubber disks (3) are inserted between the band and the scalp to direct more localized pressure over areas with more severe pain.

Abstract: Various support devices have one or more balloons that are strapped around a portion of the body with a soft layer between them and the body. In some devices, the balloons are separably mounted a strap that encircles a portion of the body. Various forms of balloons are disclosed. In other devices, the balloon has an open area that is disposed over a bony prominence or ulcerated area. An insert for applying medicine may be disposed within the open area. Certain devices are for body joints and therefore have multiple parts that can move toward and away from each other as the joint flexes.

Abstract: A self-adhering eye patch with an adhesive backing for securing the patch to the face of a user. The patch includes an inner foam or inflatable bladder for atraumatically maintaining the lid of the eye closed. A cover covers the inner member and the inner member is of sufficient thickness to maintain the lid securely closed without damaging the eye. A shield member to enhance the protection of the eye may also be utilized.

Abstract: For securing a patient's head in a head immobilizer, a dual adhesive strap is provided which is designed to lay across and adhere to the patient's forehead and have each of its ends adhere to a spine board. The strap has a bottom side comprising a central region which comprises skin contact adhesive flanked by two regions which comprise board contact adhesive. The board contact adhesive is stronger than the skin contact adhesive, such that the strap stays adhered under various environmental conditions, and the skin of the patient's forehead is not injured by the skin contact adhesive. The strap and the adhesive regions are preferably large enough to accommodate many sizes of heads, spine boards, and head immobilizers. Preferably, a removable backing covers the adhesive side of the strap.

Abstract: The invention creates an elastic variable tension medical device that relieves pain due to injury, disease, ailment, infirmity, condition, or the like. The elastic variable tension medical device is comprised of multiple strips of elastic material stacked one on top of another and forming a stack of elastic strips. Hook and loop fasteners are attached to each end of the elastic variable tension medical device for securing the elastic variable tension medical device around a part of the body. Reinforcing ribs on the elastic variable tension medical device provide increased strength and reduce folding and binding of the elastic material. The elastic variable tension medical device is wrapped around an appropriate part of the body with sufficient tension to relieve the targeted pain. It is adjusted by the user to achieve the desired pain relief.

Abstract: An apparatus, along with a method for constructing and using the apparatus, which includes an absorbent dressing assembly wrapped around an elastic strap device which extends around a patient's head to secure the absorbent dressing assembly under the patient's nose to absorb nasal drainage. The elastic strap device includes two strap ends which define hollow openings for receipt of opposing ends of a coupling device having circular barbs for adjusting the distance between the strap ends, thus adjusting the size of a loop formed by the elastic strap device. The absorbent dressing assembly includes an absorbent dressing and a fastening hook patch affixed to the absorbent dressing to secure the absorbent dressing in a wrapped position around the strap device. The strap device further includes a restraining hook patch affixed to the strap device to releasably prevent the absorbent dressing from sliding relative to the strap device.

Abstract: A pressure dressing for use in the treatment of an auricular hematoma or other ear injury is formed from a thin strip of ductile metal having first and second spaced end portions which are joined by a central connector portion. A pair of foam sponge pads are adhesively affixed to an inner surface of the first and second end portions. In use, the connector portion is reversely bendable to position the pressure pads in closely spaced, substantially adjacent relation on opposing sides of the ear. The pads engage with opposing sides of the ear and exert pressure thereon so that blood does not reaccumulate in the injured area. The dressing may further include one or more tongue or arm portions which extend outwardly from the end portions and are bendable over and around the cartilaginous rim portions of the ear to maintain the dressing in position during periods of physical activity.

Abstract: An adjustable facial dressing for compression and/or support of facial features for medical treatment is disclosed. A main band elastic can be positioned on the face (head or neck) in various positions by adjusting the position of an integral hook tape tab at any position along the main band. A separate anchor strap has hook tape tabs at its ends. The hook tape tabs each engage one of two generally opposite sides of the main band around only one side of the face (head or neck). The anchor strap hook tape tabs can engage the main band at any position along the main band, to thereby provide compression or support of the face/head/neck area covered and assist in maintaining the position of the main band on the face. More than one anchor strap may be used.

Abstract: An improved eye shield retention system holds a generally ovate eye cover in position across the bony orbital rim of a user's eye. The eye shield comprises a plastic shell adapted to function as an eye shield or as a backup member for an eyelid compress. The retention system has a first strap segment that attaches to the lower end of the eye shield and joins with a second strap segment behind the user's head. The second strap segment attaches to the upper end of the eye shield and is bifurcated into an upper and lower strap segment adapted to encircle a user's head either in an adjacent and parallel relationship or to be laterally separated to cause the two strap segments to oppose one another against the curvature of the user's skull. In the latter condition the strap segments prevent the eye shield retention system from slipping into a less than snug fit over the skull in which the eye cover could become dislodged.

Abstract: A self-adhering eye patch with an adhesive backing for securing the patch to the face of a user. The patch includes an inner foam or inflatable bladder for atraumatically maintaining the lid of the eye closed. A cover covers the inner member and the inner member is of sufficient thickness to maintain the lid securely closed without damaging the eye.

Abstract: A skin closure dressing for eyelids comprising a thin backing material, a layer of adhesive on one face of the backing material, a multi-layer pad covering a portion of the face of the backing material, at least one of the layers of the multi-layer pad being an absorbent material, and an outer layer of the multi-layer pad being a non-adhesive material. The dressing is thin and narrow enough to not cause occlusion of the eye. A pair of side tabs are provided to assist in removal of the dressing.

Abstract: A disposable adhesive neck and facial wrinkle gathering device which includes a central elastic portion and opposingly extending non-elastic adhesive strips each connected at one end to the elastic portion. The central elastic portion is formed of a thin sheet of flexible, elastically extendable or stretchable material, preferably so in all directions. The adhesive strips may be either transparent, translucent or skin-colored and are sized in length to extend either partially around to the sides of the user's neck from the nape of the neck or downwardly from around the top of the base of the ear along either side of the ear. When so positioned, with the central elastic portion stretched, the adhesive strips draw facial and neck skin toward the central elastic portion to stretch and flatten wrinkles and flabby tissue.