Various orthopaedic brace configurations and elements to be applied to the lower leg and foot are disclosed here, which include a rigid monocoque exoskeleton, foam padded interior, a plurality of retention devices, a plurality of stabilizers extendable through a spring loaded ratcheting mechanism, and a plurality of smaller stabilizer structures. This orthopaedic brace limits inversion, eversion and planterflexion of the ankle and limits flexion, extension, medial rotation and lateral rotation of the knee and hip joint.

A shoulder brace has: a support structure; strap retractors such as flat spiral torsion springs mounted to the support structure; and left and right shoulder straps each having a first strap part connected to the support structure and a second strap part connected to a free end of a respective spiral torsion spring. A method has the following stages: positioning a support structure against a user's upper back; looping left and right shoulder straps around a user's left and right shoulders, respectively; and in which each of the left and right shoulder straps connects to the support structure via a strap retractor, such as a spiral torsion spring for applying tension through the respective left or right shoulder strap to pull the user's shoulders back.

An orthotic device is provided. The orthotic device is configured to be worn on an appendage of a user of a fastener installation tool, and is configurable between a relaxed state and a rigid state. The orthotic device includes at least one activation component that is responsive to an activation signal output by a controller in communication with the fastener installation tool. The activation component changes the orthotic device from the relaxed state to the rigid state in response to the controller detecting a resistive force at the fastener installation tool during installation of a fastener.

A hand brace includes a wrist sheath and a finger holder. The finger holder has a height adjusting rod, a length adjusting rod, and a finger support. The height adjusting rod has one end pivotally connected to the wrist sheath, so that the height adjusting rod is allowed to adapt to a wearer's finger in terms of position. The length adjusting rod is connected to an opposite end of the height adjusting rod in an axially movable manner, so that the length adjusting rod is allowed to adapt to the wearer's finger in terms of length. The length adjusting rod has a joint portion that has pivotal connection with the finger support. Thereby, the hand brace provides the wearer's finger with sufficient and relevant support.

A conformable body interface includes a body scaffold comprising a three-dimensional lattice which can be removably placed over a three-dimensional soft-tissue surface, such as a knee, elbow, spine, ankle, wrist, hip, or neck. One or more sensors are located at one or more locations on the body scaffold, and the one or more locations are selected to position the sensor near a target region on the body surface when the body scaffold is placed over the three-dimensional body surface. Typically, the sensors are positioned near a body joint to detect motion of the body joint.

A particle filled neck brace is used for immobilizing the neck and chin of a patient and includes a vacuum pump disposed on the neck brace, which pump is communicated to the interior of the neck brace. After the neck brace is secured around the neck and chin of the patient, the vacuum pump is manipulated to remove air from the neck brace to form a rigid mold about the patient's neck and chin. The vacuum pump has a one way directional valve so that the neck brace remains in a rigid configuration for as long as the neck brace is applied to the patient. The neck brace also specifically forms a rigid mold over the patient's chin so as to immobilize the patient as well as to provide a comfortable fit without inducing further distracting the patient or restricting the patient's venous return blood flow.

A method for manufacturing a custom cranial remodeling device of a type comprising plastic material is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a first database of three-dimensional digital surface images of trim lines for cranial remodeling devices of a first type; providing a second database of three-dimensional digital surface images of trim lines for cranial remodeling devices of a second type; providing a first program for creating trim lines for a cranial remodeling device of the first type, the first program utilizing the first database; providing a second program for creating trim lines for a cranial remodeling device of the second type, the second program utilizing the second database; generating a three-dimensional model of a desired head shape; forming the plastic material onto the model; and selecting one of the first or the second programs to generate trim lines for the cranial remodeling device.

Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for reshaping airways concurrently with dental and/or orthodontic treatment. The systems can have a series of two or more oral appliances configured to progressively reposition the maxillary and mandibular teeth in two or more successive steps. Each oral appliance in the series can have one or more maxillary blocks, one or more mandibular blocks, a maxillary oral tray, and a mandibular oral tray. One or more maxillary blocks can be attached to or integrated with the maxillary oral tray. One or more mandibular blocks can be attached to or integrated with the mandibular oral tray. The maxillary and mandibular oral trays can be configured to move one or more teeth from a tooth first position to a tooth second position. The maxillary and mandibular blocks can be configured to interact with one another to treat sleep breathing disorders.

An injured musculoskeletal structure is mobilized relative to a juxtaposing support structure surface to isolate the injured musculoskeletal structure from forces transferred from adjoining musculoskeletal structures in order to alleviate pain, discomfort, inflammation, and further injury associated with such transferred forces.

A neck support system to prevent hyperflexion and hyperextension of a spinal cord of a user and enhance user safety connects to both a helmet and shoulder pads worn by the user. The system includes a housing unit having an opening and a first fastening component coupled to a second fastening component disposed on the shoulder pads, a strap retractor mechanism disposed within the housing unit, a strap having a first end coupled to the strap retractor mechanism and a second end having a third fastening component coupled to a fourth fastening component disposed on the helmet. The retractor mechanism enables the extension and retraction of the strap through the housing unit opening to permit freedom of movement of the user's neck. The retractor mechanism locks the strap in a stationary position when a force applied to the strap exceeds a predetermined magnitude of force.