Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a liquid containing a drug includes a first diaphragm within a housing defining a first contractible-chamber on one side of the diaphragm for holding a supply of the liquid to be delivered, and a second contractible chamber on the opposite side of the diaphragm including an electrolytic cell capable of generating a gas according to the electrical current passed through the cell electrolyte. The device further includes a second diaphragm, a control valve, and a spring, for compensating the rate of delivery of the liquid for variations in ambient pressure and temperature.

Abstract: Sanitary napkins are provided which include release surfaces disposed on their undergarment-facing side so that adhesive elements on one or more flaps can be secured. This feature provides users of the sanitary napkin product with the choice of employing side-protecting flaps upon demand or leaving them in place. The napkins also incorporate preferred adhesive element systems which can be disposed to contact silicone treated films or other release areas on their undergarment-facing sides. Additional embodiments of this invention provide for extending the release surface to enable tri-folding of the napkin and a partial or total elimination of traditionally required release paper strips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical drain fabric and surgical drain device and surgical sponge for providing a channel of exit or discharge from a wound or wound cavity and, more specifically, a woven surgical drain fabric, woven surgical drains, and woven surgical sponges having finished longitudinal edges useful for drawing wound drainage out of a patient's body. Preferably, the surgical drain fabric, surgical drains, and surgical sponges are woven with conductive yarns and nonconductive yarns so as to provide enhanced drainage characteristics. The fabric, drains, and sponges prepared in accordance with the invention minimize the danger of sluffing and linting and other disadvantages associated with previous surgical drain and sponge materials.

Abstract: Improved ceramics which promote bone ingrowth are disclosed. The coating of the present invention consists essentially of oxyhydroxyapatite, and alpha- and beta-tricalcium phosphate. Methods of making and using the ceramics are also disclosed. The present invention uses a microscopically powdered form of calcium-phosphate materials and electrophoretic deposition to create ceramics having significantly higher dissolution rates than previous materials. By agitating the electrophoretic solution, agglomeration is prevented and a uniform coating is achieved. Thus, the present invention presents both improved ceramic materials and novel methods of depositing them uniformly upon metal surfaces, such as titanium wire mesh.

Abstract: A femoral head prosthesis is provided with a slot which extends from ventral to dorsal within the distal zone of the stem to separate a tongue-like core from a resilient peripheral portion. The tongue-like core is able to move in the slot in response to bending and twisting stresses. The shear forces which these stresses produce in a transition zone between the bone and the stem are thus, at least, reduced. The slot may be of U-shape with arms parallel to the sides of the stem or with arms parallel to the axis of the stem. One arm of the slot may also be shorter than the other and one arm may be of widening shape relative to the other.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence prosthesis in the form of an inflatable implant. The implant includes a uniquely configured balloon having a central portion for positioning adjacent the patient's urethra and pairs of claw like arms partially circumscribing the patient's corpus cavernosa. The process for use comprises implanting the balloon and suturing apertured tabs to a patient's tunica to maintain the prosthesis device in its desired position. A pump/reservoir is positioned in the patient's scrotum and connected in fluid communication with the prosthesis by a suitable tube. The entire device is made of biocompatible implantable material.

Abstract: A technique for implanting a prosthesis is provided. According to the technique a prosthesis is implanted in a host bone by preparing the surface of the host bone to receive the prosthesis, applying calcium sulfate in free-flowing form to the receiving surface of the host bone, and seating the prosthesis in the receiving surface, whereby the calcium sulfate fills one or more gaps resulting between the prosthesis and the host bone.

Abstract: In the method for the production of a hip joint prosthesis shank two shells are produced with unidirectional fibers, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the shank and prior to curing of matrix material therein the components are assembled so that during the later curing stage there is an intimate engagement produced between the components. The fibers are wound on a shape, which has the desired form of the shell, by winding a single fiber lengthwise of the form and reversing the fiber at the ends of the form. The winding is carried out by pulling the fiber taut along the length of the form and reversing the fiber at the ends on pins and relatively turning the form and the fiber after completing the winding of the fiber over the length of the form. The core may be produced by introducing foaming or liquid material into the cavity formed by the shells.

Abstract: The tissue expander includes a shell with a base layer and an expansion layer that define an expansion chamber therebetween. A conduit or fill tube extends from the shell and is the sole source of communication with the expansion chamber. The base and expansion layers are thermoplastically joined together by a major seam and a minor seam. The major seam is substantially concealed within the expansion chamber whereas the minor seam defines a border portion of the expansion chamber and is not concealed. The tissue expander can be of any selected size and shape. The base layer can be made expandable along with the expansion layer or nonexpandable as desired.

Abstract: A porous polypropylene hollow fiber membrane is disclosed which is characterized by the fact that the solid phase in the inner surface region thereof is formed with particles of polypropylene closely fused and joined to give rise to a continuous phase while partially exposed through the surface thereof, the solid phase in the interior and the outer surface region thereof is formed with particles of polypropylene interconnected in the direction of axis of fiber to give rise to a multiplicity of lumps of polypropylene, and the interstices between these solid phases has continuous pores interconnected in the form of a three-dimensional network. When this porous polypropylene hollow fiber membrane is used in an artificial lung, without reference to the choice between the type adapted to pass blood inside the hollow fiber membrane, it exhibits a high gas-exchange capacity without infliction of injury upon blood cells, aggravation of pressure loss, or leakage of blood plasma.

Abstract: A launderable prosthetic device for camouflaging missing or deformed human body mass or parts comprises a plurality of layers which are sized, shaped and interconnected to form a composite structure that, when partially compressed, assimilates the size, shape and resiliency of the camouflaged body mass. A soft inner liner provides an interface between the composite structure and the human body surface and a smooth outer shield liner provides an interface between the composite structure and an abutting outer garment. The liners are joined to enclose the composite structure and cooperate to maintain the composite structure in a partially compressed state. Randomly spaced openings in the layers provide ventilation for the body surface abutting the prosthetic device.

Abstract: A load-bearing plastic orthopaedic joint implant, formed aat least partially of UHMWPE or HDPE material, and a process of subjecting at least the load-bearing surface thereof to ion implantation so as to improve its surface characteristics are disclosed. Such improved surface characteristics result, inter alia, from the formation in the treated surfaces, of increased carbon to carbon bonds, diamond-like carbon chain scissions and wherein the implanted ions do not form precipitate chemical compounds with the plastic material.

Abstract: An improved breast prosthesis with female and male connector elements for insertion under the subcutaneous tissue or in a retromuscular pocket, the prosthesis being comprised of a textured or smooth outer shell a minimal projection female connector element attached as a integral part of the anterior surface of the outer shell of the breast prosthesis, and a minimal projection male connector element attached as an integral part of the posterior surface of the outer shell of the breast prosthesis, wherein the connector elements are either bonded or molded into the outer shell as an integral part of the outer shell.

Abstract: A wound evacuator is provided with a discharge valve assembly which permits body fluid contained within the wound evacuator to be drained to a collection bag. The discharge valve assembly is also designed to minimize leakage of body fluid when the collection bag is separated from the wound evacuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tampon construction permitting instant maximal exposure of its absorptive surface immediately after insertion. The tampon originates as one or more rectangularly-shaped pieces of absorptive material having one end thereof being convergingly tapered from opposite sides of said rectangularly shaped material. The convergingly tapered end portion being folded over and against the remaining portion of said rectangularly shaped material such that a once folded-over end is created. A pull sting is attached to said rectangularly shaped material such that it extends from the edge of the once folded-over portion and longitudinally down therefrom extending beyond the folded-over edge of rectangularly shaped material whereby a gentle pull on the drawstring unfolds the folded-over portion while the tampon is in place intravaginally.

Abstract: A prosthesis for fitting a below-the-knee amputee is disclosed and includes a socket for receiving the stump of the below-the-knee amputee, a keel having a peripheral groove formed about the periphery of a bottom portion of the keel, a tubular shin member extending from the socket and surrounding lateral and medial portions of the keel and filling the peripheral grooves formed about the bottom portion of the keel leaving a substantial portion of the bottom of the keel exposed. A resilient foot member is then secured to the exposed portion of the keel with the material of the tubular shin member being formed into the grooves of the keel and maintaining such keel within the shin member. Also the method of manufacturing such prosthesis.

Abstract: A padding and medicating device for the human foot comprising a sheet structure, preferably of an elastic fabric material and partially coated on one surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive, in combination with a pad of viscoelastic gelatinous material impregnated onto a portion of the same surface of the sheet structure as the pressure sensitive adhesive. The pad of viscoelastic gelatinous material is preferably made with an oleaginous plasticizer such as Mineral Oil USP, and may contain one or more pharmacologically active agents. The sheet structure is oil impervious or a separating layer of material impervious to the oleaginous plasticizer is incorporated on either surface of the sheet structure adjacent to the area of the sheet structure to be impregnated with the viscoelastic gelatinous material to prevent the oleaginous plasticizer from bleeding onto the sock or shoe of the wearer.

Abstract: A one piece plastic drain pan (24) is mounted to an examination end (14) of a urology table (10). The pan includes an integrally constructed vertical inner end wall (28), a sloping outer end wall (34), a pair or opposite side walls (30), (32), and a bottom wall (36) through which a drain port (38) is defined. The plastic material, particularly in the side walls has sufficient plastic memory that as a physician leans against the outer end wall (34), the side walls bow outward compressing the end walls toward each other. When the pressing force is removed, the end walls return themselves to the non-flexed position and the end walls move apart. Plates (50, 52) clamp the inner end wall (28) of the plastic drain pan securely therebetween. The plates have flanges (54) which are received in mating slots (56) in the examination end (14) of the urology table. A folding screen arrangement (60) provides a convenient storage surface for examination tools and separates stones, tissue, and the like from drained fluids.

Abstract: Here are disclosed disposable garments such as a diaper having adhesive areas on top- and/or backsheet(s) along leg-openings. Each of the adhesive areas is defined by a plurality of spiral adhesive traces. The stretchable elastic means are bonded to the top- and/or backsheet(s) along the adhesive areas, respectively.

Abstract: Absorbent products, such as sanitary napkins are provided which include pocket means disposed on an undergarment-facing side of a central absorbent element. The products further include tab means extending laterally from one of the longitudinally extending sides of the absorbent element for a distance greater than about a width of the absorbent element and sized to be partially inserted into the pocket means after being wrapped around the crotch area of the undergarment for aiding in securing the sanitary napkin to an undergarment.