Methods of immobilizing the head of a patient include heating a thermoplastic mask preform to a formable temperature, forming the thermoplastic mask over at least a mouth of the patient, and pushing a mouth receiving end of a bite piece into a portion of the thermoplastic mask preform that is positioned over the mouth of the patient, which moves the portion of the thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient. The methods also include allowing the thermoplastic mask preform to cool from the formable temperature, causing the portion of the thermoplastic mask moved into the mouth of the patient to harden.

Systems and methods for recording data representative of, and reviewing and analyzing such data for, compliance by patients with prescribed use regimens of rehabilitation devices, such as a sling, are disclosed. Such devices comprise one or more sensors, a power source, and a communication system. The sensors track data indicative of the actual wear or use time of the rehabilitation device, which may be used to monitor compliance with physician recommended wear times. Adjustments may then be made to the prescribed use regimen, or physical adjustments may be made directly to the rehabilitation device.

An arm restraint system is provided for restraining movement of an arm of a patient's body lying over a top surface of a table. A padded restraint is configured to at least partially receive the arm of said patient to thereby maintain the arm at a position laterally adjacent to the patient's body without the arm being restrained by tucking. In one example, the system includes a rigid support frame located at a lateral edge of said table and the padded restraint is securely fixed to the rigid support frame via a repositionable fastener to inhibit movement of the patient's arm relative to the rigid support frame.

A cross-strap apparatus is disclosed for use with a brace having an proximal portion engageable above a joint of a user, an opposing distal portion engageable below the joint, and first and second cross-straps extending between and interconnecting the proximal and distal portions, the first and second cross-straps transversely oriented relative to one another and positioned for intersecting one another in an overlapping fashion at a cross-strap intersection substantially at the joint. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a resilient hub portion sized and configured for engagement with each of the first and second cross-straps proximal to the cross-strap intersection. The hub portion provides at least one first engagement mechanism positioned and configured for engagement with the first cross-strap, and at least one second engagement mechanism positioned and configured for engagement with the second cross-strap, thereby maintaining the position of the hub portion relative to the cross-strap intersection.

A directional lock or a headgear or interface assembly has one or more directional locks that include a catch arrangement for initiating or assisting in movement of a lock member of the direction lock. In some configurations, the catch arrangement assists movement of the lock member in only a portion of a range of travel of the lock member. In some configurations, the directional lock has a housing and a sleeve and the catch arrangement has a catch arm carried by the sleeve. The catch arm includes a catch end that contacts the lock member, which can be a lock washer in some configurations.

The present invention is directed towards a limb shielding device, for shielding a user's hand. The device comprises a shielding member, configured to shield at least part of a user's limb, including the hand, which comprises an opening arranged at a proximal end of the shielding member and dimensioned to allow a user's limb to be inserted into the shielding member. The device also comprises a means for restricting the opening relative to the user's limb such that once the limb is inserted and the opening is restricted relative to the user's limb, the limb cannot be retracted through the opening. The device further comprises a closure member capable of being moved, by the user's hand within the shielding member, into a closed position such that at least part of the limb is constrained within the shielding member, and a locking arrangement for securing the closure member in the closed position.

The present invention is directed towards a limb shielding device, for shielding a user's hand. The device comprises a shielding member, configured to shield at least part of a user's limb, including the hand, which comprises an opening arranged at a proximal end of the shielding member and dimensioned to allow a user's limb to be inserted into the shielding member. The device also comprises a means for restricting the opening relative to the user's limb such that once the limb is inserted and the opening is restricted relative to the user's limb, the limb cannot be retracted through the opening. The device further comprises a closure member capable of being moved, by the user's hand within the shielding member, into a closed position such that at least part of the limb is constrained within the shielding member, and a locking arrangement for securing the closure member in the closed position.

A new or alternative swaddling garment that swaddles infants by sufficiently restraining movement of the limbs to suppress the startle reflex, yet allowing movement of hand to mouth thereby facilitating non-nutritive sucking and allowing the infant to self-soothe by sucking the hands or the fabric of the garment.

A new or alternative swaddling garment that swaddles infants by sufficiently restraining movement of the limbs to suppress the startle reflex, yet allowing movement of hand to mouth thereby facilitating non-nutritive sucking and allowing the infant to self-soothe by sucking the hands or the fabric of the garment.

A device and a method for creating and/or maintaining an obstruction free upper respiratory passages. The device is configured to fit under the chin of a subject adjacent to the subject's neck at an external location corresponding approximately with the subject's soft tissue associated with the neck's anterior triangle. The device is capable of exerting negative pressure on the surface of a subject's neck, displacing the soft tissue forward and enlarging the airway.