Abstract: The invention is devices and methods for collecting fetal blood from the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. Embodiments of the invention are open circuit devices and methods that allow collection of relatively large quantities of cord blood while reducing the risk of contamination to levels lower than those presently associated with closed circuit systems. Other embodiments are methods and devices for use in closed system procedures that increase the amount of blood collected and also reduce the amount of contamination in presently employed closed systems.

Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene, having an insertion end, a recovery end, a recovery tape, and a longitudinal axis. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material and has an outer surface that is at least partially provided with spirally shaped, pressed longitudinal grooves. The grooves define spirally shaped longitudinal ribs. Also disclosed is a method for producing the tampon.

Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene, having an insertion end, a recovery end, a recovery tape, and a longitudinal axis. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material and has an outer surface that is at least partially provided with spirally shaped, pressed longitudinal grooves. The grooves define spirally shaped longitudinal ribs. Also disclosed is a method for producing the tampon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hygiene articles comprising nanofibers. The nanofibers are made from a melt film fibrillation process with a polymer composition having a melt flow rate of less than about 400 decigram per minute. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, must comprise a significant number of the fibers in one layer of the web contained by the hygiene article. The hygiene articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence pads, catamenials products such as feminine care pads and pantiliners, tampons, personal cleansing articles, personal care articles, and personal care wipes including baby wipes, facial wipes, and feminine wipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthesis, referred to as stoma coat, for implantation in a body wall for cooperating with a body duct to provide a stoma, as well as to its use in a surgical method for creating a stoma. The present invention further relates to accessories for use with said prosthesis and to a kit comprising said prosthesis and said accessories.

Abstract: An absorbent article, preferably a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is disclosed that provides an improved immobilization of absorbent polymer material when the article is fully or partially urine loaded. This absorbent core is useful for providing an absorbent article of increased wearing comfort. Specifically disclosed is an absorbent core useful for an absorbent article comprising a substrate layer and absorbent material, the absorbent material comprising an absorbent polymer material, the absorbent material optionally comprising absorbent fibrous material, the absorbent fibrous material not representing more than 20% of the weight of absorbent polymer material, wherein the absorbent material is immobilized when wet such that the absorbent core achieves a wet immobilization of more than 50%, preferably of more than 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% according to the Wet Immobilization Test described herein.

Abstract: A dressing (30), a grommet (10) and a combination thereof are described for making a dressing for use in locating and retaining conduits and/or tubes used in therapy of a wound is described, the dressing (30) comprising a backing layer (32) having an adhesive coating (34) thereon for adhering the dressing (30) to a patient; the backing layer (32) having a cut-out (48) therein for receiving a grommet member (10); said grommet member (10) having at least one aperture (14) therethrough for receiving a conduit; and, said grommet member (10) further comprising a flange portion (16) in some embodiments for attaching the grommet member (10) to said adhesive coated backing layer (32).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, method, system and kit for receiving effluent from an individual. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device, method, system and kit for collecting effluent from an individual during a medical or diagnostic procedure including but not limited to, imaging or viewing one or more sections of an individual's gastrointestinal tract. In another alternative embodiment, the effluent is collected in a hollow area in order to prevent the effluent form contaminating a component, device or apparatus used in connection with the medical or diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: A kit for collecting stool, comprising an adapter (1) for connecting the anus or a perianal stoma of a user to a peripheral device, said adapter comprises a flexible adhesive plate (2) having first through going hole, a flexible tube (3) extending from a first opening (11) to a second opening (12) and a first flexible coupling plate (4) having a second through going hole, wherein the flexible tube is attached to the flexible adhesive plate in an area surrounding the first opening and the flexible tube is attached to the first flexible coupling plate in an area encircling the second opening, allowing fluid communication from the first through going hole to the second through going hole through the flexible tube, and a peripheral device (20, 60) for coupling to the adapter.

Abstract: An ostomy system for receiving bodily waste comprises a drainage bag (200) and a filter (100) comprising an open-cell foam (102) for preventing liquid and solid particles from passing from the drainage bag to its surroundings. The foam defines a passageway for releasing flatus gasses from the drainage bag to its surroundings, and at least a portion of the foam is arranged at a folding line defined by the drainage bag during use thereof. The foam may be a open-cell foam (102) embedded in a closed-cell foam (128) in a filter flange 146. A gas permeable hydrophobic membrane (127) may be provided at an outlet of the open-cell foam (102). The surroundings of the drainage bag (200) may be constituted by the interior of an outer bag.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a housing with a passage through which a catheter is received. A valve body is mounted in the passage, and, as the catheter penetrates through the valve body, the valve body conforms to the outer wall of the catheter to maintain a fluid tight seal between the valve body and the catheter. When the valve body is unstressed before being mounted in the passage, the valve body has a first planar dimension and a second planar dimension that is less than the first planar dimension.

Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene, having an insertion end, a recovery end, a recovery tape, and a longitudinal axis. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material and has an outer surface that is at least partially provided with spirally shaped, pressed longitudinal grooves. The grooves define spirally shaped longitudinal ribs. Also disclosed is a method for producing the tampon.

Abstract: An absorbent article that has a thin, conformable absorbent core where the core has at least two layers, both of which are substantially free of cellulosic fibers is described. The first layer is intended to provide storage for the majority of acquired fluids and has an AAP of at least about 20 g/g and the second layer, which provides temporary capacity for the bulk of the acquired fluid and permanent storage for at least a portion thereof, comprises a second absorbent polymer material which has a Wet Permeability of at least about 400×10?7 (cm3 seconds)/g a ratio of Wet Permeability to SFC of at least about 1.5:1 with respect to the first absorbent polymer material.

Abstract: A pants-type disposable diaper comprises: a pants-shaped outer member having a front part, a back part, and a crotch part positioned between the front part and the back part, and having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings formed by joining the front part and the back part; an absorbent main body disposed on an inner surface of the pants-shaped outer member at the crotch part, and comprising a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; and an end-holding sheet covering a longitudinal end of the absorbent main body at the front part and/or the back part of the pants-shaped outer member, and attached to the pants-shaped outer member and the absorbent main body with a hot-melt adhesive; wherein the end-holding sheet includes a composite nonwoven fabric in which a spunbonded nonwoven fabric layer is laminated on an inner surface of a meltblown nonwonven fabric layer.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, system, and method for storing liquid from a tissue site. The apparatus may include a drape having an aperture, and a fluid pouch coupled to the drape such that the fluid pouch is in fluid communication with the aperture. In one embodiment, the fluid pouch is operable to transfer reduced pressure to the aperture such that the liquid from the tissue site is drawn into the fluid pouch. The fluid pouch may have a cavity that stores the liquid that is drawn from the tissue site. In another embodiment, the fluid pouch may include at least one baffle. The fluid pouch may also include a fluid channel at least partially defined by the at least one baffle. The fluid channel may be operable to store liquid from the tissue site when reduced pressure is applied through the fluid channel.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has an absorbent core having a surface area and a stretchable multilayer chassis having a surface area. The multilayer chassis is stretchable in at least the cross-machine direction. The stretchable multilayer chassis has at least a stretchable bodyside liner and stretchable outer cover such that the absorbent core is affixed to at least one layer of the stretchable multilayer chassis. The percentage ratio of the surface area of the absorbent core to the surface area of the stretchable multilayer chassis is less than about 50%.

Abstract: An ostomy closure is disclosed for sealing an ostomy pouch after use and removal from an ostomy mounting plate. The ostomy mounting plate is secured to an individual. The ostomy closure comprises a cap body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface extending to a peripheral edge. A cap flange is coupled to the peripheral edge of the cap body and extends from the interior surface of the cap body. A cap locking member is integral to the cap flange. A cap lip defining an interior surface and an exterior surface extends from the cap flange for manipulating the cap body and the cap flange. The cap flange couples with a pouch flange of the ostomy pouch for defining a sealing closure for maintaining the stool and the stool odor within the ostomy chamber and a locking closure for preventing inadvertent removal of the cap flange from the pouch flange.

Abstract: A sanitary product for use by women for the absorption of menstrual fluid, having a plug and a pad joined by a sheath. The plug is substantially cylindrical so that is fits comfortably in a vaginal cavity. The pad remains outside the vaginal cavity, but has an absorbent layer on an inward side proximal to the plug and a liquid impermeable layer on an outward side. In use, a wearer can insert a finger into the sheath from the outward side of the pad to assist with insertion of the plug into the vaginal cavity. A string is provided that extends inside the sheath from the outward end of the plug to aid removal of the product. A line of weakness extends along the major axis of the pad, about which the pad is disposed to fold in use.