A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

A back-bracing apparatus and associated methods of use and/or manufacture are provided. The apparatus includes support and belt portions. The support portion includes a plurality of posterior ribs configured to abut and extend along a low back of a user and a bracing web component having a plurality of crossing structures coupling adjacent ribs. At least one rib includes first and second upper slots disposed at opposite sides of an upper portion of the rib and first and second lower slots disposed at opposite sides of a lower portion of the rib. The belt portion includes an inner strap coupled to the support portion and configured to wrap around a torso and a low back of the user, and upper and lower outer straps configured to pass through the first and second upper slots and the first and second lower slots, respectively, and wrap around the inner strap.

A back-bracing apparatus and associated methods of use and/or manufacture are provided. The apparatus includes support and belt portions. The support portion includes a plurality of posterior ribs configured to abut and extend along a low back of a user and a bracing web component having a plurality of crossing structures coupling adjacent ribs. At least one rib includes first and second upper slots disposed at opposite sides of an upper portion of the rib and first and second lower slots disposed at opposite sides of a lower portion of the rib. The belt portion includes an inner strap coupled to the support portion and configured to wrap around a torso and a low back of the user, and upper and lower outer straps configured to pass through the first and second upper slots and the first and second lower slots, respectively, and wrap around the inner strap.

An endoscopy sigmoid support apparatus that includes a primary wrap sized for placement around a subject's lower abdomen. A closing mechanism is provided at the end of the primary wrap to secure the primary wrap around the abdomen of the subject by attaching a first end of the primary wrap to a second portion of the primary wrap. A strap extends from the primary wrap and is configured to extend across at least a portion of the primary wrap and to fasten to a third portion of the primary wrap to adjust the amount of pressure applied by the endoscopy sigmoid support apparatus.

An endoscopy sigmoid support apparatus that includes a primary wrap sized for placement around a subject's lower abdomen. A closing mechanism is provided at the end of the primary wrap to secure the primary wrap around the abdomen of the subject by attaching a first end of the primary wrap to a second portion of the primary wrap. A strap extends from the primary wrap and is configured to extend across at least a portion of the primary wrap and to fasten to a third portion of the primary wrap to adjust the amount of pressure applied by the endoscopy sigmoid support apparatus.

A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of a blast or concussive event includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during the incidence of the concussive event. Reducing blood out flow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood out flow further increases the intracranial pressure, and thereby increases the pressure of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function.

A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of a blast or concussive event includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during the incidence of the concussive event. Reducing blood out flow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood out flow further increases the intracranial pressure, and thereby increases the pressure of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function.

An aural hematoma splint (AHS) system/method providing for animal ear pinna (AEP) suspension and/or compression allowing non-surgical treatment of AEP auricular hematoma is disclosed. The AHS promotes healing performance by including a conical primary plate (CPP) and angular secondary plate (ASP) that are used in conjunction with non-elastic fabric tape (NFT) to hold the AEP in suspension during treatment. The NFT includes a long strap collar (LSC) and cross support strips (CSS) for preparatory taping and application of the CPP/ASP to the AEP. This sandwich configuration of the CPP/ASP surrounding the AEP creates equilibrium in hematoma fluid pressures within the damaged area of the AEP, promotes a uniform thin layer of blood to clot in the entirety of the hematoma region, and allows regeneration of damaged tissues in a controlled environment while limiting structural and aesthetic damage to the healed AEP post treatment.

An aural hematoma splint (AHS) system/method providing for animal ear pinna (AEP) suspension and/or compression allowing non-surgical treatment of AEP auricular hematoma is disclosed. The AHS promotes healing performance by including a conical primary plate (CPP) and angular secondary plate (ASP) that are used in conjunction with non-elastic fabric tape (NFT) to hold the AEP in suspension during treatment. The NFT includes a long strap collar (LSC) and cross support strips (CSS) for preparatory taping and application of the CPP/ASP to the AEP. This sandwich configuration of the CPP/ASP surrounding the AEP creates equilibrium in hematoma fluid pressures within the damaged area of the AEP, promotes a uniform thin layer of blood to clot in the entirety of the hematoma region, and allows regeneration of damaged tissues in a controlled environment while limiting structural and aesthetic damage to the healed AEP post treatment.

A multi-component frame includes a first component made from a rigid structural material and a second component connected to at least an end portion the first component. The first component is constructed from a metal or metal alloy, and the second component is constructed from a material different from the first component. The first and second components form at least part of a length of the multi-component frame.