A piezoelectric band (10) includes: a base sheet (11) that has flexibility and is formed into a sheet shape; a piezoelectric sheet (20) that has flexibility and is formed into a sheet shape and placed over one side of the base sheet (11); and a cover sheet (12) that has flexibility and is formed into a sheet shape and placed over and in contact with one side of the piezoelectric sheet (20) that faces away from the base sheet (11). Upon reception of a drive signal, the piezoelectric sheet (20) vibrates at or above a frequency of 15 kHz. The cover sheet (12) has a plurality of holes (12a) passing therethrough from one side facing the piezoelectric sheet (20) to the other side, and the plurality of holes (12a) forms respectively air layers through which vibration of the piezoelectric sheet (20) propagates toward the other side.

A knee rehabilitation machine with multi-position synchronous force application includes a bottom box, a vertical box, and a suspension box. The vertical box is vertically arranged at an end of the bottom box, and an upper end of the vertical box is horizontally fixed with the suspension box. A pressing unit swing lever mechanism is arranged in the bottom box, and a vibration unit, a pulling unit, and a transmission mechanism of a pressing unit are arranged in the vertical box.

A robotic joint comprises a first link, a middle link, a torque generator, a second link, and a locking mechanism. Different ends of the middle link are rotatably coupled to the first link and the second link. The torque generator is coupled to the first link and the middle link and is configured to produce a torque between these links. The locking mechanism is switchable between a locking state and an unlocking state. In the unlocking state, the locking mechanism allows free rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first and second rotation directions. In the locking state, the locking mechanism is configured to impede rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first rotation direction and to allow rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the second rotation direction opposite of the first rotation direction.

Training apparatuses configured to receive, and conform to, the back of a user's knee and provide varying resistance and tactile feedback to a user performing quadriceps exercises and methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed herein. A preferred embodiment of the training apparatuses for quad sets comprises a solid, deformable, resilient body that includes a non-skid base and a top surface with a recess configured to receive the back of a user's knee. The body of this embodiment is preferably made of open-cell polyurethane foam with a uniform density ranging between 1 lb/ft.sup.3 and 8 lbs/ft.sup.3, and more preferably between 1.5 lbs/ft.sup.3 and 4.5 lbs/ft.sup.3. The embodiment provides gradually increasing resistance to compression, e.g. tactile feedback to the user's knee, when the user increasingly pushes his/her knee down against the embodiment, and thus allows dynamic quad setting and strengthening.

A movement assistance device is provided with thigh frames, lower leg frames, and knee joint mechanisms which are disposed on the outer side and the inner side, respectively, of each knee of a person to be assisted. Each of the thigh frames has a first main frame, which extends in the longitudinal direction of a thigh from a base disposed on one side of the hip of the person to be assisted to the outer knee joint mechanism, a second main frame, which obliquely extends on the front side of the thigh from the base to the inner knee joint mechanism, and a body support member, which is extended between the two main frames on the rear surface side of the thigh.

The present invention relates to nanoparticles comprising nucleic acids coated with a (biodegradable) polymer for reversible immobilization and/or controlled release of the nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to medical or diagnostic devices, particularly stents and implants coated by a (biodegradable) polymer with the nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles for reversible immobilization and/or controlled release. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of these nanoparticles coated with a (biodegradable) polymer and to the use of medical devices and implants coated by the (biodegradable) polymer with these nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases, particularly in the prevention or treatment of restenosis, calicification, foreign body reaction, or inflammation. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of preparing these nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles coated with a (biodegradable) polymer and to a method for coating nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles by a (biodegradable) polymer on medical or diagnostic devices.

A system and apparatus for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain by applying a vacuum to intact skin extending over or surrounding the tissue site. The system and apparatus comprise a manifold formed from a porous material and configured to be disposed proximate the intact skin for distributing vacuum to the intact skin, and a sleeve adapted to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold to seal the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin. The system and apparatus further comprise a fluid coupling member adapted to deliver vacuum to the manifold for distribution to the intact skin. A method for applying vacuum to the intact skin of a tissue site is also disclosed and described herein.

An orthopedic rehabilitation device is provided having a base assembly. A mast assembly extends from the base assembly. A handle assembly is rotatably coupled to the mast assembly. A foot bracket assembly is rotatably coupled to the mast assembly. The foot bracket assembly is coupled to the handle assembly so that rotation of one of the handle assembly or the foot bracket assembly results in the rotation of the other of the handle assembly and the foot bracket assembly. A foot support assembly is coupled to the foot bracket assembly so that the foot support assembly rotates with the foot bracket assembly.

A system provides compression of a limb of a patient and out-of-axis restraint of a joint of the limb being compressed and application of vibration to a first end of the limb so that the vibration is transmitted through the first end of the limb, the compressed joint, and through the remainder of the limb.

An integrated storage pouch apparatus for a back support and thermal therapy device for supporting and applying thermal therapy to a user's back which includes a back support member having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface configured to face and support a user's back, a thermal therapy storage compartment integrally formed between the first and second surfaces of the back support member and configured to store a thermal pack, first and second adjustable strap members coupled to opposite ends of the back support member, each of the first and second adjustable strap members are configured to wrap around a user's knee, wherein the back support member folds inside out to through the thermal therapy storage compartment to form a strap storage compartment configured to receive and store the first and second adjustable strap members. The combined back support and thermal therapy apparatus provides thermal therapy to the user, while at the same time using the user's knees to help support the user in a proper healthy posture, when sitting.