Cervical collars, components thereof, and methods of using them overcome issues with conventional cervical collars.

A load-bearing exoskeleton capable of supporting at least part of the weight of a shielding garment. Additionally, some of the user's upper-body weight, resulting from the rotational moment about the hip caused by the user's trunk in flexion, may be supported. The load-bearing exoskeleton may be a completely passive orthosis, or it may include one or more active orthotic elements. The exoskeleton may include one or more sagittally-extending load-bearing structures that provide a supportive force to counteract at least some of the weight of the shielding garment. The exoskeleton may include a shielding garment attachment mechanism, a pelvis assembly, and one or more leg assemblies that are configured to allow for user movement when in one or more unlocked positions, while facilitating a greater transmission of weight of a shielding garment when in one or more locked positions.

Orthotic and prosthetic devices having integrated features such as cushioning features are described, as well as methods for computer aided designing and making of these devices. The orthotic or prosthetic devices comprise a cushioning layer superimposed onto an orthotic or prosthetic shell, the cushioning layer comprising an array (35) of discrete solid and resilient cushioning elements (31). In one preferred embodiment, the cushioning structure is a beam, defined around a centerline of any arbitrary shape. In another preferred embodiment, the cushioning structure has the shape of a spiral.

A reinforced support strap and method of application on a joint provides lateral and medial support to a joint and limbs. The support strap comprises, in some embodiments, a resilient body portion having a generally elongated V-shape that encapsulates the joint and is manipulated through rotation or axial movement along the joint and limbs for an enhanced fit. The body portion comprises a base end, an open end, and a pair of termini. The body portion further includes a mount surface that overlays the joint, and an exterior surface. The mount surface adheres to the joint through the use of a fastening mechanism. A reinforcement member, having less resilience than the body portion, may integrates into the body portion through stitching, to provide enhanced stability.

Vest to Provide Decompression and Traction for Spine and Method of Use consists of (1) a thoracic top belt (2) a waist bottom belt, each belt having provision of independent tightening (3) an elastic band connecting both belts, thus making a single vest and ((4) a turn buckle mounted in the back of wearer parallel to sine.) The turn buckle integrally but detachably positioned against the top belt and bottom belt provides upward lifting force to the thorax via the top belt and the downward force to the lumbar via the bottom belt, providing the decompression and traction to the spine.

An orthopedic device, first and second struts, and a range-of-motion limiting pivot assembly connecting to the first and second struts. The pivoting assembly having an engagement member linked to a tab disposed and arranged for pulling radially outward away from a central axis of the pivoting assembly for adjusting the range of motion of the pivoting assembly.

A brace including (i) two or more supports configured to contact body parts on opposite sides or ends of one or more joints when the brace is in use and (ii) one or more force application mechanisms that apply a controllable force to the supports in opposite directions to alleviate compression in the one or more joints disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the brace and of alleviating compression in one or more joints using the brace are also disclosed.

A knee brace assembly with a proximal compression system adapted to be secured to the thigh and a distal compression system adapted to be secured to the calf. The brace includes lateral and distal hinge assemblies connecting the proximal compression system and the distal compression system to permit rotational movement of the proximal compression system with respect to the distal compression system. At least one inelastic strap extends around the proximal compression system and the distal compression system. The strap is leveraged to tighten the proximal compression system and the distal compression system to compress soft tissue in the thigh and calf when the leg is extended, but to release the proximal compression system and the distal compression system when the leg is in flexion.

An external nasal dilator comprises resilient and engagement elements. The engagement element functions primarily to affix, adhere, or otherwise engage the dilator to the skin surface of the nose. The resilient element comprises one part that provides out-of-plane resiliency, or spring biasing forces, and another part that provides in-plane elasticity, or stretching or tensioning forces. The dilator includes horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages of a nose. When in use the dilator stabilizes or expands nasal outer wall tissues and prevents the outer wall tissues from drawing inward during breathing.

A ligament support for hooves, mountable on a hoof and in the mounted position effective for backing up the suspensory ligament between the hoof and the fetlock, comprising an elastic element the length of which is adapted to run via the rear of the pastern of the hoof, from an anchor point situated on the inside of the hoof to an anchor point situated on the outside of the hoof, and which, in an area located to the rear of the pastern, is coupled to an elastic cuff mountable around the leg.