Abstract:
A device for mobilizing a joint includes a flat, planar substrate having a first face and an opposing second face. A first longitudinal side extends between the first face and the second face. A second longitudinal side extends between the first face and the second face, distal from the first longitudinal side. A mobilization portion extends above the first face and includes a first convex rib extending parallel to the first longitudinal side, a second convex rib extending along the second longitudinal side and parallel to the first convex rib, and a valley extending between the first convex rib and the second convex rib along a longitudinal centerline of the flat, planar substrate. A cavity extends above the first face. The cavity is defined by an opening between the first face and the mobilization portion and is sized to receive a bladder.
Abstract:
A spa pool assembly has a pool having an enclosing wall and a base that together defines an interior. The base has a plurality of inflatable sections that are divided by a plurality of air passages that includes a first air passage that has a plurality of small bubble openings, and a second air passage that has a plurality of large bubble openings. The small bubble openings eject bubbles that are smaller in size than the bubbles ejected from the large bubble openings. The spa pool assembly can also include a bubble controller that controls the ejection of bubbles from the small bubble openings and the large bubble openings.
Abstract:
This application is related to an apparatus and method for improving venous blood flow in mobility-impaired patients. In one aspect, the apparatus is a motorized or powered rocking chair with a footplate. The rocking chair and footplate rotate through physiologically relevant ranges of motion either at the same frequency or at different frequencies in order to mechanically induce a calf muscle pump action in the dependent legs of a mobility-impaired patient. Artificially inducing the calf muscle pump action in such patients acts to boost the action of the heart and lessen blood pooling in the lower extremities of the legs.
Abstract:
A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for enclosing and providing reduced pressure treatment to an object or a portion of an object. In some embodiments, the reduced pressure treatment appliance may be used to treat wounds and other conditions, such as lymphedema, varicose veins, venous insufficiency and stasis, and other infirmities. In other embodiments, the appliance may be used to provide reduced pressure (or vacuum) treatment for non-medical purposes. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a flexible chamber and a collapsible frame that may be collapsed while the appliance is not in use. In yet other embodiments, the appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the volume within the chamber, a pressurized fluid system to inflate the collapsible frame, a drainage system to remove fluids from the appliance, and a treatment port and a forced entry treatment system to introduce fluids and other treatment instrumentalities into the volume within the chamber. In still other embodiments, the chamber is designed for use with distal extremital portions of a body. In further embodiments, the appliance also comprises a semi-permeable liner positioned between the chamber and the portion of a body to be treated. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the appliance.
Abstract:
An air pulse generator for providing high frequency chest wall oscillation therapy to a patient is provided. The air pulse generator has a housing and first and second diaphragms supported in the housing. The air pulse generator further has a crankshaft assembly coupled to the first and second diaphragms to reciprocally move the diaphragms back and forth to produce oscillating pressure pulses. The crank shaft assembly includes a motor with an output shaft that rotates about a first axis, a flywheel mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith, a first member coupled to the first diaphragm and pinned to the flywheel by a first stub shaft that is offset from the first axis, a second member coupled to the second diaphragm, and a cam interposed between the first member and the second member. The first member is pinned to the cam by the first stub shaft and the second member is pinned to the cam by a second stub shaft.
Abstract:
An object of the present invention is to provide an air cell which is capable of detecting that the upper end side and the lower end side of the air bag are nearer than a predetermined distance. This air cell has an air bag, a base member to which the lower end portion of the air bag is attached, an air chamber AR configured by the air bag and the upper surface of the base member, a thin film portion which forms the bottom surface of the air chamber and capable of deforming elastically in the up-and-down direction, an extending member configured to extend upwardly from the upper surface of the thin film portion, detecting means which is provided under the thin film portion and which detects downward deformation of the thin film portion.
Abstract:
An air-tight foam-filled bladder is used for varying massage intensity in a massage chair, massage mat, or other massage device. The bladder may be compressed from a default or relaxed thickness by evacuating air from the bladder. The thickness of the foam-filled bladder may be reduced to a collapsed thickness in which the foam is compressed within the bladder. In use, the foam-filled bladder is placed proximate a conventional fixed massage mechanism in a massage device, such as in the back rest of a massage chair. By controlling the amount of air evacuated from the bladder, the intensity of the massage is controlled by varying the amount of pressure exerted by the fixed massage mechanism on the user. In the case of a massage chair, the user may advantageously sit back in the chair without discomfort when the user does not want a massage, and may control the intensity of the massage provided by the chair. In another embodiment, an active pump may be used to inflate one or more bladders that may or may not include a foam insert. The number, size and location of the bladders may be varied in any of the embodiments.
Abstract:
An adjustable pressure cuff device is provided for the arm or leg of a user for stimulating blood flow and preventing blood clots. The pressure cuff contains a number of bladders which wrap in the direction of the cuff and which are arranged in succession down the arm or leg of a user. An air compressor is connected to the bladders via a multiplicity of tubes, each of which contain a valve. A control module runs the air compressor and sequentially opens the valves to provide air pressure to the bladders in succession along the arm or leg of a user. Further, between the bladders and the valves, additional tubes containing valves are provided to equalize pressure between bladders before exhausting the air from a previously pressurized bladder to save power and allow for increased patterns of bladder pressure. The pressure levels and bladder dwell times may be adjusted by the user or based on predetermined settings. Optionally, the device provides electrical stimulation, pulsations, heating, and cooling.
Abstract:
Described herein are exercise apparatuses suitably adapted for use by crippled persons for exercising their hips and legs. In one embodiment, an apparatus with a supporting structure and a seat mounted on the supporting structure. A cushion comprising a pad for splaying the knees of a user is mounted on the supporting structure. In another embodiment, there is a docking station suitably adapted for wheelchair users with a supporting structure protruding therefrom. A cushion is mounted on the protrusion for splaying the knees of the user. In yet another embodiment, a semispherical shaped seat is mounted on a supporting structure that can be adjusted to position a user near a handlebar structure with a supporting structure protruding therefrom. A cushion is mounted for splaying the knees of the user. Optionally, the cushions in the example embodiments may further comprise a patella pad. A knee spreader ball detached from the exercise apparatus permits training without the fixed cushion and, in a further form permits transport of a user without tangling the feet of the user.
Abstract:
A chest compression apparatus and method of use providing an air flow generator component, a pulse frequency control component having a fan blade valve for producing a wave form, a multi-port air chamber and a patient vest. A vest with a sizing feature is also disclosed. The apparatus can be used to apply sharp compression pulses to the thorax via the inflatable vest worn by the patient.