Abstract: A flexible tube is mounted on top of the drip chamber. The top of the tube is connected to the spike via a one-way ball-type valve. The bottom of the tube is connected to the drip chamber via a duck-bill-type valve inside of the drip chamber. The duck-bill is held closed against head pressure by a metal spring clip acting on the lip. The duck-bill will open when the tube is squeezed and fluid will be injected into the drip chamber.The drip chamber is charged bubble-free by the use of an output tube open to the chamber and joined to the flexible tubing carrying the hypodermic needle. During the initial fill the output tube is positioned above the fluid level and air in the chamber vented via the output tube, the flexible tubing and the hypodermic needle. When the desired level is reached, the output tube is submerged and bubble-free fluid fills the output tube, the flexible tubing, and the hypodermic needle.

Abstract: The apparatus for medical purposes comprises a sleeve-type catheter hub (10) having a cylindrical longitudinal channel (11) and a flexible catheter capillary (24) which, through an orifice portion (11a) of the longitudinal channel (11) extends into an expanded intermediate section (11c) of the longitudinal channel (11). The catheter capillary (24) includes a thicker head portion (23) tightened in the expanded intermediate section (11c) of the longitudinal channel (11) by an annular shoulder (22) of a radial annular collar (20) which is formed by ultrasonic welding into the wall of the longitudinal channel (11). To obtain a stepless passage of the cylindrical channel (11), an adapter (18) with a conical passage (19) is joined by press fit to the annular collar (20). The catheter capillary (24) is firmly anchored. In addition, the conical passage (19) serves as an insertion aid for a probe or the like.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a stretchable outer cover (20), fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20) and a multilayered absorbent structure (22). The multilayered absorbent structure (22) has a liquid permeable bodyside liner (42), a liquid impermeable barrier (44) and an absorbent composite (38). The absorbent composite (38) can comprise a uniform composition of fluff or a mixture of a hydrogel and absorbent material. Alternately, the absorbent composite (38) can comprise a first and second layer of absorbent materials (37) (39) differing by densities or differing by pore sizes. The absorbent composite can further comprise a layer of a hydrogel (45). Further, the absorbent composite can comprise a mixture of a hydrogel and a filler material which can be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material which may be treated with a surfactant.

Abstract: An applicator for scrubbing an eyelid and a sealed, contaminant-excluding package therefor. The applicator includes an absorbent tip pre-wet for applying a liquid to an eyelid and affixed adjacent to a handle that is held firmly between the fingers for optimal control and safety near the eyeball.

Abstract: A disposable suture boot for use on surgical instruments to provide a non-slip covering for the instruments end which is interconnected by a thin band of material. The suture boot is comprised of a sealed elongated monolithic unitary hollow cylindrical body of resilient surgical rubber with a center portion cut partially away to form an interconnecting web between the oppositely disposed sealed end portions.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprises a breathable elastomeric nonwoven laminar outer cover, resiliently stretchable preferably in a cross-body direction from about 20% to about 200%, including a pair of leg openings, front and rear waist sections together defining a waist opening, a crotch section situated between the leg openings and front and rear panels separated by the crotch section. An absorbent insert structure, substantially superposable on the front and rear panels and the crotch section, includes a liquid impermeable barrier and a liquid permeable bodyside liner, with an absorbent composite disposed therebetween. Longitudinally opposed ends of the absorbent insert are attached to the waist sections, integrating the insert into the outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof.

Abstract: An eye dropper dispenser bottle attachment for post-surgical and general use for preventing contact between a dispenser and surgical areas and insuring safe, accurate convenient placement of eye drops which comprises a generally oval ring contoured to fit the periorbital area, at least one post extending upwardly from the ring, a second ring mounted on the upper end of the post, the latter being discontinuous to define a bottle neck gripping opening for receiving and holding the neck of an inverted eye drop bottle. Adjacent parts of the discontinuous ring are resiliently mechanically separable to enlarge the opening for reception and removal of the bottle and to resiliently grip the bottle when released.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising a breathable elastomeric nonwoven laminar outer cover having an absorbent insert structure attached and integrated thereinto while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability of the outer cover. The insert is attached to the outer cover by selectively breakable sonic bonds along either of the waist and leg openings of the outer cover to accommodate various body shapes and sizes. Upon exertion of certain stresses against the garment by wearers having larger waist and/or leg sizes, the bonds break away and restore the inherent stretch properties of the corresponding region of the outer cover. The breakable bonds also maintain a neat, aesthetic appearance of the product and minimize interference of loose, unattached material during processing, storage and use of the article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment (10) of the type having opposed waistband portions (14 ) separated by an intermediate portion (16), comprises a breathable elastomeric nonwoven fabric outer cover (12) having an absorbent structure (32) integral therewith, including a liquid-impervious baffle (36), a liquid-pervious bodyside liner (34), and an absorbent core (38) therebetween. The absorbent structure (32) preferably forms an insert attached to the outer cover (12) without restricting the stretchability thereof. The garment (10) has a generally asymmetrical hourglass profile with leg cut-out openings (18) converging together to define a narrow crotch with front (28) and rear (30) panels on either side thereof, having pairs of front (20, 22) and rear (24, 26) ear portions, respectively. Laterally-opposed pairs of rear fastener members (42, 44) and front (46, 48) fastener members extend across the rear ear portions (20, 22) and front ear portions (24, 26), respectively.

Abstract: The septum includes a unit with two fill chamber sections, each having a corresponding needle penetrable seal member for sealing the respective fill chamber sections. The seal members are oppositely disposed and thereby permit access to a corresponding fill chamber section at two different orientations of the septum. Thus, when the septum has flipped over from its original position, one of the fill chamber sections continues to remain accessible for fluid infusion and/or fluid withdrawal. A needle stop portion in the unit which forms a partition between the fill chamber sections prevents a needle that has entered one of the fill chamber sections from passing out of the other fill chamber section. In several embodiments of the invention, the partitioning needle stop section is moveable and in other embodiments of the invention, the partitioning needle stop section is immoveable. Thus there is provision for expanding and contracting the fill chamber sections in some of the embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Infusion liquid flows from a container via a hose controlled by a squeezing valve into a measuring chamber which has an existing predetermined upper filling level and a predetermined lower filling level which may be detected by a filling level detector. A hose pump conveys liquid from the measuring chamber to the patient. In order to adjust the rate of the hose pump in accordance with the provided infusion rate, the time required in case of the closed squeezing valve to pump off fluid from the upper filling level to the lower filling level is determined. Subsequently, the measuring container is refilled within a filling time, while pump is further operative or may be also stopped. The measuring chamber including the hoses connected thereto may be designed as a disposable unit.

Abstract: An assembly of a needle and a device for protecting the needle tip is disclosed. The assembly comprises an elongate housing which mounts the needle. A needle guard is slidably mounted within the housing and is adapted to be moved forward along the needle. Following use, the needle and housing are retracted and the needle guard becomes permanently locked with the housing while it occludes or covers the needle.

Abstract: A tamper evident injection syringe of the disposable type is described having a container for storage of the material to be injected, means for expelling the material, an interference collar at one end of the container and a flange attached to the expelling means that is close fitting to the internal wall of the container and having a dimension greater than the interference collar such that the flange cannot pass through the interference means thereby preventing removal of the expelling means and the contents of the syringe. In addition a needle nub is described that permits connection of a needle or catheter and the connection of a tamper evident sealing cap that is easily removable yet when removed cannot be replaced without the removal being evident.

Abstract: A fixing instrument intended to adjust and lock in adjusted position vertebrae in relation to each other includes a unit comprising two support members which are mutually connected by means of a screw spindle extending through said support members such that the support members are moved towards each other upon rotation of the screw spindle in one direction and away from each other upon rotation in the opposite direction. The support members are pivotally connected to securing members which by means of bone screws are intended to be secured each to a vertebra. The pivot stud has a transverse hole through which extends a locking screw threaded into the support member and having a tapered part by means of which it in active screwed in position by abutment against the wall portion which surrounds the hole in the stud presses the securing member and the support member against each other.

Abstract: Disposal apparatus for the safe disposal of a medicinal needle after use utilizing a container with a vacuum therein and a piston attached to one side of the needle which protrudes ready for use. After use of the needle, one side of the piston is exposed to ambient pressure and the needle is retracted into the container for safe disposal. A sight chamber attached to said piston within said container and communicating with said needle indicates when said needle has pierced a blood vessel. In another embodiment, a spring is employed to retract the needle.

Abstract: Elongate flexible elements are guided into place within a tortuous body passage by providing the elements with annular guides adjacent their distal ends and sliding the elements over a guide wire extended through the passage. Column strength to move the elements through the body passage may be provided by a tubular pusher slidably received on the guide wire. The annular guides are localized at the distal ends of the members so that a plurality of members may be sequentially or simultaneously guided into place over a single guide wire.

Abstract: In an absorbent article which comprises a liquid-impermeable, leakproof sheet, a liquid-permeable surface sheet and an absorbent layer, the leakproof sheet is a porous film, monoaxially or biaxially stretched, of a polyolefin resin composition comprising a polyolefin and a filler, having a thickness of not larger than 60 microns, an average pore size of 0.05 to 5 microns, a pore volume of not smaller than 0.1 cm.sup.3 per 1 cm.sup.3 of the film, a water vapor permeability of not smaller than 500 g/m.sup.2 for 24 hours and a bending resistance at either longitudinal or transversal directions to meet the following definition:a bending resistance (mm)=0.193.times. a film thickness (micron).times.35.

Abstract: A device for the unidirectional transdermal administration of a drug in an ointment, cream or jelly-like carrier comprising a laminar applicator adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of the drug on a skin-contacting surface thereof, the applicator including a drug-impervious lamina such as a layer of aluminum foil, overlying said skin-contacting surface, such that in use a unidirectional transfer of the drug from the carrier to the skin surface is ensured. The device is especially suitable for the transdermal administration of nitroglycerin, clonidine, methadone and scopolamine or any drug that is skin-permeable. The drug receiving surface may be embossed, pressed, or stamped to define one or more mini-recesses or receptacles for receiving the drug to be administered.

Abstract: A pass-through tube for use in conveying intravenous fluid to a patient in a pressurized chamber, the tube including a tubular body having an outer surface shaped and sized to sealably mate with the interior surface of a connector passing through the wall of a pressurized chamber, a first end having a first generally cylindrical surface adapted to sealably engage a similarly shaped surface of a mating first connector and first locking members for locking with mating locking members on the first connector, a second end having a second generally cylindrical surface adapted to sealably engage a similarly shaped surface of a mating second connector and second locking members for locking with mating locking members on the second connector. Also disclosed is a kit including a pass-through tube, a flexible internal tube, and a valve connected to the external end for connection to an intravenous supply line.

Abstract: A medical tube or cable holder, comprises a holder body defining at least one curved path for reception of a medical tube or cable, an characterized in that the tube or cable when inserted in the path is frictionally retained therein against lengthwise displacement relative to the holder body. The body typically includes a receptacle forming the curved path, which receptacle is sidewardly open for sideward reception of the tube or cable into that path, and a cover movable into position on the receptacle to sidewardly close that path.