Device (1) for preventing apnea episodes in infants, which simulates a breathing pattern suitable for synchronizing the infant's breathing and which is provided as a tactile direct stimulus, arranged in contact with the infant's back while sleeping; it comprises a breathing pattern generator means (2) that emits air pulses that reach the infant through transmitter means comprising a flexible conduit (3) that transports the air to an inflatable/deflatable chamber (4).

Provided are a method for strengthening blood vessels with extreme ease and a compression and decompression control system used for performing the method. A compression and decompression control system 1 includes a band adapted to be placed around a particular part of a limb of a user and to apply a compression force to the particular part and a controller for controlling the compression force applied to the particular part with the band. The controller controls the compression force applied with the band in a manner that a compression operation applying a predetermined compression force to the particular part and a decompression operation completely removing the compression force applied to the particular part by the compression operation are alternately repeated. Repetition of the compression operation and the decompression operation allows the vascular endothelial cells of blood vessels of the user to generate a larger amount of nitric oxide, thereby strengthening the blood vessels.

A massaging apparatus has two massaging systems arranged proximate to each other for performing more elaborate massage on target body areas. The massaging apparatus includes a first massaging member pair for massaging target areas; a second massaging member pair, provided independently of the first massaging member pair, for massaging target areas; a rotation shaft rotatably driven; a paired first conversion mechanisms, each disposed on a corresponding one of the first massaging members, for converting rotation of the rotation shaft into mutually approaching and separating movements of the first massaging members; and a second conversion mechanism for converting rotation of the rotation shaft into mutually approaching and separating movements of the paired second massaging members. The second massaging member pair is disposed between the paired first massaging members, and the second conversion mechanism is disposed between the paired first conversion mechanisms.

Various embodiments provide assemblies for manipulating a user's limb with at least one inflatable member. The assemblies comprise a first pliable planar member and a second pliable planar member overlaid atop at least a portion of the first pliable planar member, such that a two ply configuration is provided. The two ply configuration itself comprises at least a distal and a proximal portion and at least one opening configured to accept at least a portion of the user's limb. The first and second pliable planar members combine to define at least one inflatable member, the inflatable member being at least a portion of at least one of the distal and proximal portions, the inflatable member being configured to be selectively inflatable so as to provide at least one inflation force upon the user's limb, such that the joint in the user's limb is manipulated. Associated methods are also provided.

Methods are disclosed for measuring the size of body parts treated by a compression therapy device. Either the volume or circumference of the body part may be measured. The methods may include evacuating an inflatable compression sleeve to a known pressure, inserting the body part into the compression sleeve, inflating the sleeve to a pre-set condition, and then measuring one or more inflation related parameters. The pre-set conditions may include a pre-determined pressure, volume, or size of the inflatable cells comprising the sleeve. The inflation related parameters may include the time to fill the cell to a pre-set pressure, the pressure attained after a pre-set time of inflation, or the measured volume of a cell after a pre-set amount of air is introduced into it. The methods may also include deflating the cells from the known inflation state to a second inflation state and measuring similar parameters.

A pressotherapy apparatus including a device for forming a treatment enclosure to be placed around a section of the body. The device has inflatable and deflatable cells having an upper membrane and a lower membrane which are connected together. The cells are supported by an external wall opposite a body surface of the device. The cells are disposed in a stack between two end cells. The cells between the end cells are stacked by overlapping in a position inclined between a high-end near to the external wall and a low end near to the body surface. The cells of the stack have an active portion of the upper membrane extending from the low end not covered by the lower membrane of an adjacent cell above.

An inflatable belt 100 for use in a BFR system with an outer belt material 102 hermetically sealed to an inner belt material 101 along a perimeter, thereby forming at least one inflatable chamber 103, the inflatable chamber having an input port 104 for accepting a gas into the chamber, the inflatable belt further comprising a first fastening means 110 in communication with the outer belt material, for attaching to a second fastening means 111 in communication with the outer belt material, thereby locking a circumference of the inflatable belt, when wrapped around a user's limb.

A compression garment for a neurological disorder includes a body portion and a pad. The body portion may be operable to wrap around a foot and the pad can attach to an inner surface of the body portion. The pad can include an outward protrusion and/or an inward recess. A guide sleeve may be dimensioned to wrap together with the body portion around the foot, the pad being disposable between the body portion and the guide sleeve. A first tensioning band may be attached onto to first and second locations of the body portion and be operable to secure opposing first and second portions of the inner surface of the body portion to secure the outward protrusion and/or recess of the pad against the abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis muscles of the foot. The outward protrusion can include a receiver for the metatarsal head.

In one instance, a recovery system to assist an athlete with recovery is presented that includes a battery-operated, flexible wrap that applies heat and optionally pneumatic pressure while utilizing both conductive and radiant heat in varying proportions according to a desired pattern. Optionally, at least one pneumatic bladder on the flexible wrap applies the pneumatic pressure to the user. The recovery system has a control unit that ramps the temperature applied before leveling at a target temperature. Other systems and devices are presented.

A therapeutic wrap includes a flexible member configured to wrap around an affected area. Actuators are operably coupled to the flexible member. Each actuator is operable between a deployed state and a non-deployed state. A first coupling feature is disposed proximate a first edge on a first surface of the flexible member. A second coupling feature is disposed proximate a second edge on a second surface of the flexible member. The first coupling feature is configured to engage the second coupling feature when the flexible member is wrapped around the affected area and when the flexible member is slidably adjusted relative to the affected area. A retaining feature is coupled to at least one end of the flexible member and configured to retain the flexible member in a selected position on the affected area.