Apparatus, systems and methods for adjusting a person’s spine comprising multiple surfaces each configured to move relative to the person’s spine to change a curvature of the person’s spine. The at least two surfaces are configured to change the relative positions of at least two vertebrates in the person’s spine, for example, pushing into at least a portion of the person’s spine, such that the person’s spine is in a backward bending or forward bending position.

In device for placing a toe of a patient's foot in traction may broadly include a shoe portion (e.g., a sole, counter, and strap(s)); a toe attachment apparatus (e.g., a Chinese finger trap) having a cable extending therefrom; a pulley, with the cable wrapped about the pulley; and an apparatus (e.g., a ratchet, an actuator, and the like) configured to apply tension to the cable to create traction in the toe. A second actuator may adjust lateral positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of adduction for the traction provided to the toe by the cable. A meter may be coupled to the cable to indicate an amount of tension provided thereto. Another actuator may adjust elevational positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of dorsiflexion for the traction provided to the toe by the cable.

A device for providing a therapeutic stimulus to a subject is provided. The device may comprise a material, a network of flexible cells, at least one channel, and a working material. The material may be configured to cover a portion of the subject and may have an inner surface for engaging a surface of the subject and an exterior surface facing away from the surface of the subject. The network of flexible cells may be coupled to the material and each flexible cell may have an internal cavity. The working material may be disposed within the internal cavities of the flexible cells. The at least one channel may be arranged to allow exchange of the working material between flexible cells due to application of force upon the network from movement of the surface of the subject.

A device for use by an individual for sexual pleasure varying in form, i.e. shape, during its use and allowing for the user to select multiple variations of form either discretely or in combination and for these dynamic variations to be controllable simultaneously and interchangeably while being transparent to the normal use of the device, including the ability to insert, withdraw, rotate, and actuate the variable features manually or remotely. According to embodiments of the invention localized and global variations of devices are implemented using fluidics and electromagnetic pumps/valves wherein a fluid is employed such that controlling the pressure of the fluid results in the movement of an element within the device or the expansion/contraction of an element within the device.

A tissue expander having a shell, an opening in the shell in communication with an external vacuum source to apply a vacuum within the shell and impart a distracting force to expand tissue, and a rim connected to the shell and adapted to be in contact with a skin of a patient. The rim is non-fixedly attached to the skin of the patient and moves laterally outwardly with respect to the shell under application of the vacuum.

A brace for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. The brace can be incorporated into a brassiere.

A clothing item, in particular a belt, with at least two actuators for triggering tactile stimuli for a person wearing the clothing item, wherein the at least two actuators are or can be connected to a control unit for actuating the actuators, the control unit is formed to activate the at least two actuators within the scope of at least two activation patterns, and the at least two activation patterns are assigned to different action instructions for the person wearing the clothing item, which action instructions can be output to the person wearing the clothing item via the activation of the activation patterns, wherein the at least two activation patterns include the combined activation of the at least two actuators at different parts of the body that are distinguishable for the person wearing the clothing item.

In device for placing a toe of a patient's foot in traction may broadly include a shoe portion (e.g., a sole, counter, and strap(s)); a toe attachment apparatus (e.g., a Chinese finger trap) having a cable extending therefrom; a pulley, with the cable wrapped about the pulley; and an apparatus (e.g., a ratchet, an actuator, and the like) configured to apply tension to the cable to create traction in the toe. A second actuator may adjust lateral positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of adduction for the traction provided to the toe by the cable. A meter may be coupled to the cable to indicate an amount of tension provided thereto. Another actuator may adjust elevational positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of dorsiflexion for the traction provided to the toe by the cable.

A device for use by an individual for sexual pleasure varying in form, i.e. shape, during its use and allowing for the user to select multiple variations of form either discretely or in combination and for these dynamic variations to be controllable simultaneously and interchangeably while being transparent to the normal use of the device, including the ability to insert, withdraw, rotate, and actuate the variable features manually or remotely. According to embodiments of the invention localized and global variations of devices are implemented using fluidics and electromagnetic pumps/valves wherein a fluid is employed such that controlling the pressure of the fluid results in the movement of an element within the device or the expansion/contraction of an element within the device.

The invention relates to the improvement of exoskeletons and masters thereof and to their use in teleoperative applications in virtual worlds or the real world. Non-actuated exoskeletons can be used to transfer loads from the user, for example, heavy luggage, tools or also the body weight of the user, to the ground and to relieve the joint and muscle system of the user. This can increase the endurance and also effective strength of the user. Motor-driven, actuated exoskeletons can be used in different fields. They can be worn as a freely moveable robotic suit which comprises a built-in energy supply and electronic control. They can also be used to improve the force and endurance of a user whilst the user moves in an unlimited environment. Another use of the fixed exoskeleton is in the field of interaction with virtual worlds or for controlling real robots. In this instance, an exoskeleton can be used to establish a teleoperative connection between the user and the master (virtual avatar or real robot). The user users the exoskeleton to directly transfer control commands to the master. The elements of the user and the master then practically carry out the same movements synchronously. The aim of the invention is to improve exoskeletons and masters of the mentioned type and the associated control units. This can, in particular, be achieved by a favorable realization of rotational axes which define rotational movements of different elements which to a large extent perform a hip movement.