Methods and systems are disclosed for enhancing blood flow to anatomical regions. An applicator may include a stimulation portion operative to define a protrusion extending from the applicator. Positioning the applicator in relation to the anatomical region may emplace the protrusion upon a predetermined area thereof, resulting in stimulation being applied thereto. A blood flow enhancement device can be used alongside the applicator to apply suction, heating, and/or vibration effects to the anatomical region, via the blood flow enhancement device having a vacuum, an ultrasonic transducer and/or a vibrator. An inner surface of the applicator's protrusion may receive a portion of the blood flow enhancement device, allowing a user to impart these effects upon the predetermined area the protrusion is associated with. The combination of stimulating, heating, vibrating, and/or suctioning the anatomical region in this manner can allow treatments like therapies, diagnostics, and pleasure to be administered to a user.

A passive stent for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ may include an inner layer, an outer layer, and a middle layer that is enclosed by the inner layer and the outer layer, comprising a plurality of components configured to interlock and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. A method for retaining an organ in an expanded state may include applying at least one force to the organ to place the organ in the expanded state; applying a passive stent to an external surface of the organ; and applying a vacuum to the passive stent sufficient to cause a plurality of components of at least one layer of the passive stent to interlock, where the at least one layer is configured to maintain the organ in the expanded state after interlocking.

In at least some aspects, the present concepts include a method for configuring an assistive flexible suit including the acts of outfitting a person with an assistive flexible suit, monitoring an output of at least one sensor of the assistive flexible suit as the person moves in a first controlled movement environment, identifying at least one predefined gait event using the output of the at least one sensor, adjusting an actuation profile of the at least one actuator and continuing to perform the acts of monitoring, identifying and adjusting until an actuation profile of the at least one actuator generates a beneficial moment about the at least one joint to promote an improvement in gait. The at least one controller is then set to implement the actuation profile.

A foot wrap (10) has a generally non-stretchable, flexible binding (11), a generally stretchable panel (12) coupled to the binding, an expandable, rotatable bladder (14), and a support pad (16) coupled to the binding opposite the bladder (14). The binding has a central portion (19) straddled by a first wing (21), a second wing (22), and an elastic heel band (23). The bladder measures approximately 3 inches by 3 inches and is designed to increase in height approximately 1½ to 1¾ inches with its inflation.

A manual restorative therapy tool is presented. A first tool includes a body, a first contact surface coupled to the first surface of the body, and second contact surfaces coupled to the second surface of the body, wherein each second contact surface of the array is smaller than the first contact surface. A handle may be coupled to a third surface that allows either the first or the second contact surface to be pressed against a user, expanding the user's blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. In this state, circulation may be further enhanced by use of a second tool having a handle with a first end and a second end, a first contact surface coupled to the first end via a compression mechanism, and a second contact surface coupled to the second end via a flexibility mechanism. The first and second contact surfaces independently spin with respect to the handle.

A system for hands-free nursing and breast pumping includes a breast compression device with a plurality of thermoformed fluid bladders designed to fit adjustably against each breast and inflate and deflate with minimal power requirements. The compression device and its controller fit inside of a nursing garment designed to receive the device and controller for optimal compression. The nursing garment and the compression device have openings over the nipples so that a breast pump flange can be inserted through them and used in a typical manner for the extraction of breast milk, thus increasing the amount of milk expressed.

A grip element having an elongate grip body with a first end region and a second end region. The grip body has a first surface near the second end region, with a curved subregion for supporting a subregion of the ball of the human hand, and an outwardly curved second surface supporting a subregion of the palm, and an inwardly curved third surface adjacent to the first surface and supporting the extended thumb, and an outwardly curved fourth surface lying substantially opposite the third surface and supporting the middle finger, adjacent to which fourth surface an outwardly curved fifth surface is provided for supporting the ring finger. The grip body has a sixth surface to support the index finger. The sixth surface, starting from a subregion of the second surface spaced apart from the second end region of the grip body, extends in the direction to the first end region and runs longitudinally along the grip body.

A soft-inflatable exosuit for knee rehabilitation is fabricated in two different beam-like structures (I and O cross-section actuators) and mechanically characterized for their torque performance in knee-extension assistance. The fabrication procedure of both types of actuators is presented as well as their integration into a light-weight, low-cost and body-conforming interface. To detect the activation duration of the device during the gait cycle, a soft-silicone insole with embedded force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) is used. In evaluation studies, the soft inflatable exosuit device is tested for its ability to reduce muscle activity during the swing phase of the knee. Using sEMG (surface electromyography) sensors, the rectus femoris muscle group of a healthy individual is recorded while walking on a treadmill at a constant speed, with and without the soft device.

A pressure therapy device includes a pressure chamber, an inflatable padding, a seal, and a positioning mechanism. The pressure chamber has an opening arranged for admitting the inflatable padding and a limb of a user. The inflatable padding is inflatable to enclose and fix the limb in position. The seal covers the opening, including the inflatable padding and the limb to seal the pressure chamber from ambient atmospheric pressure. A pump unit is provided to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within the pressure chamber and includes a first valve system and a piston with safety release features for preventing unsafe pressure levels.

A gynecological device that corrects a vaginal opening that is large or stretched out without requiring surgery. The stretchable gynecological device includes a main body having a front surface, a rear surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, and an adhesive on the rear surface of the main body. The gynecological device also includes at least two arms having a front surface, a rear surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge and a second edge that extend outwardly from the second edge of the main body. An adhesive is on the rear surface of the arms. To apply the gynecological device, the arms are firmly pressed down to the vaginal vestibule bilaterally, the main body is then pulled up above the clitoral hood and then applied and pressed down across the lower abdomen towards the anterior superior iliac spines.