Abstract: A rectal insertion device (1) for the treatment of disorders of the digestive tract of a human or animal patient having a body (3, 5) comprises a forward section (8) which in an operative position of the device is disposed in the anal canal of the patient, a first passageway (9) which extends forward opening (11) in the forward section, a rearward section (3) having a forward end which in the operative position is disposed extra-coporeally and a second passageway (4) which extends rearwardly in the device from a second forward opening (7) in the forward end of the rearward section. The second passageway acts to catch faeces discharged from the anal canal not caught in the first passageway.

Abstract: A liquid waste collection chamber assembly adapted to be worn in the crotch region of a user includes a triangular collection chamber with a rigid inlet tube and a back flow valve. The inlet tube attaches to a condom catheter by way of a flexible tube. Liquid waste from the user flows into the collection chamber in response to gravitational force. The collection chamber is worn, attached and supported to the wearer in the crotch region by way of straps connected to a top portion of the collection chamber. The collection chamber also includes an outlet tube disposed above the inlet tube at a top portion of the collection chamber attached. The outlet valve is actuatable to open and allow expulsion of liquid waste from the collection chamber.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes a first layer located adjacent the wound and which comprises a material that is bioabsorbable, porous and adapted for serving as a scaffold for cell attachment and proliferation; and a second layer which is in contact with the first layer and which comprises an absorbent, gel forming material adapted for serving as a barrier to cell adhesion and penetration. A method of treating a wound with the dressing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A carrier device including a flexible adhesive base plate with an opening for securing the carrier device to a user's skin around a stoma, and a substantially circumferential flange made of a flexible material and adapted for removable and adhesive connection with a coupling element of an ostomy collecting bag. The outer portion of the flange is free to move relative to the base plate and is more flexible than the inner portion of the flange. As a result, the outer portion can absorb movements between the carrier device and the collecting bag, thus protecting against peeling of the bond between the flange members as well as providing a cushioning effect against forces acting on the periphery of the flanges, while the less flexible inner portion can withstand deformations originating from the adhesive base plate.

Abstract: An irrigation dressing is provided including a hollow inflatable tubulardam with a central opening adapted to surround the wound of the individual. A semi-hard resilient clear plastic window is attached to the dam, such that the central opening is completely enclosed on a front surface of the dam. The dressing includes an inner peripheral ridge and an outer peripheral ridge extending beyond a bottom or back body-engaging surface of the dam which facilitates drawing a vacuum. A plurality of connectors are attached to a front planar face surface of the clear plastic window. At least one connector is pivotable about an axis parallel to the front planar surface of the window. A self-sealing plug is disposed inside the dam so that the dam can be inflated to selected pressures using an associated hypodermic needle or the like.

Abstract: An improved smoke evacuation system (10), a method for removing gaseous byproducts of surgical procedures, and noxious vapors from chemicals, is provided. The smoke, and vapor evacuation system includes a vacuum head (18) positioned at a surgical site or incorporated into a workstation. The vacuum head includes a plenum (28), a plenum support for preventing the plenum from collapsing when a vacuum or low pressure is established therein, and is adapted to facilitate the use of the system in a variety of surgical or commercial procedures at a variety of surgical sites or commercial workstations.

Abstract: A growth factor delivery system for use in connection with microdermabrasion includes a source of growth factors. The growth material may be dry and thus mixed in with the abrasion media. The dry growth material would therefore be applied to the target skin area simultaneously with the abrasion media by a single handpiece. The growth material may comprise a fluid to be delivered by a separate handpiece. The fluid source may be within the handpiece or external thereto. The fluid source may be contained in a removable cartridge adapted to fit within the handpiece. Thus, a method and system is provided for using disposable cartridges of growth fluids.

Abstract: An access member for use in catheterization having an outer end and an inner end. The access member, which is adapted to extend from the outside of the body through a canal extending from the user's abdominal wall to the bladder and into the bladder, has at least one cavity extending substantially throughout the length of the access member. The walls of the access member are made from a flexible material such that the cavity is generally kept closed by the mutual contact of the walls while allowing for intermittent insertion of a catheter.

Abstract: A combination tampon/panty shield that is inserted and removed without the need for the user's hands or fingers contacting the vagina. The combination tampon/panty shield includes a panty shield portion including the moisture proof outer layer provided with two exterior pockets and a centrally located finger insertion cavity extending inward through an in inner absorbent layer adhesively bonded to a backside of the moisture proof outer layer and a tampon extending upward from the inner absorbent layer and having a portion of the finger insertion cavity extending into a bottom tampon portion thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material laminate for use as a covering sheet on absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, incontinence protectors, diapers, pant diapers, or the like. The material laminate comprises a first, fluid pervious fibrous material layer and a second fluid pervious porous material layer, wherein at least one of the two material layers comprises thermoplastic material and wherein the two material layers are mutually connected by means of the covering material laminate exhibiting bond sites within which the thermoplastic material has been caused to at least partially soften or melt and thereby bond the two material layers together.

Abstract: A thermally stable microporous breathable film is provided comprising at least 35% filler, by weight of the filled-film, and a thermoplastic polymer blend of a first polyethylene polymer and a second polyethylene polymer. The first polyethylene polymer comprises 30%-70% by weight of the polymer blend and can have a density between about 0.86 g/cm3 and 0.89 g/cm3 and the second polyethylene polymer can have a density between about 0.90 g/cm3 and 0.92 g/cm3. The filled-film can be uniaxially or biaxially oriented to form a microporous film and/or film laminate having good body conformance and which retains a high WVTR at 37° C. and above.

Abstract: A manicure/pedicure glove for treatment of damaged skin areas and/or enhancing nail growth is presented. The glove comprises a single layer of breathable material having a second layer of material in a particular treatment area. The second layer of material is impregnated with a wax-based preparation and may or may not be separated from the external layer in the treatment area by a thin plastic film or exterior coating to ensure non-leakage. Alternatively, the glove may only cover the finger or toe tip. In use, the glove is provided. A hand or foot is inserted into the glove and the glove worn for a sufficient period to permit the wax-based preparation to penetrate into the treatment area. The glove is then removed and may be disposed or, or alternatively may be used for a specified number of repeated applications.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage of the type used on acute wounds, burn wounds, minor wounds, or irritations includes a first layer for covering the wound site and an area around the wound site. The first layer includes a top surface and bottom surface. A second adhesive layer is situated over the first layer bottom surface, for adhering the adhesive bandage to a wound site. A third absorbent layer is situated over the second layer, for absorbing exudates from the wound site. A fourth layer is situated over the third absorbent layer for allowing limited flow of exudates from the wound site to the third layer. At least one each of an antimicrobial agent and a hemostatic agent or a multifunctional wound healing agent are each associated with the adhesive bandage in a position where the agents will come in contact with the wound site.

Abstract: The invention provides a deformable pad (1) for removably securing an ostomy bag to the skin of a patient consisting essentially of a plastics film bonded to an adhesive material (3); the pad having an opening (7) for receiving stomal waste, the opening (7) being surrounded by a pliable unreinforced convex formation on a bodyside face of the pad.

Abstract: An ostomy body fitment for attaching an ostomy pouch to a person's body comprises a shapeable adhesive pad, and a shape defining member. In a first annular fixed shape zone, the shapeable pad is supported and shaped by the shape defining member. In a second central reshapeable zone, a portion of the adhesive pad is unsupported by the shape defining member, and can be molded to fit an individual's stoma. A flexible flange for removable adhesive attachment to an ostomy pouch has an attachment zone outside the periphery of the shape defining member, to reduce direct application of external forces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and material which assist in the coagulation and containment of blood from a wound produced as a result of medical procedures which require blood to be drawn, such as with a lancet or a needle or the like. The device is a compact, portable unit that dispenses an appropriate amount of absorbent material for the collection and coagulation of blood. The absorbent material comprises a non-absorbent backing coupled with an absorbent top layer. The absorbent material may also contain medicaments that assist in the coagulation and wound healing process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ceramic wound treatment device and to a method of treating a wound using such device. The treatment device comprises a plurality of separate inert porous ceramic particles which are contained in a permeable tea-bag type container. The particles have a porosity of between 25% and 85%, preferably 75% and the pores have diamters in the range of between 0.4 to 30 micrometers. The pores are cellular in nature and are interconnected by blow-holes. The particles are manufactured by pulverising an inert microporous ceramic body and removing fine powder from the particles, such that the particles have a diameter range of between 45 and 300 micrometers.

Abstract: A control unit is adapted for use with a vacuum wound bandage. The control unit has a canister to collect waste material from the vacuum wound bandage, a fluid source to irrigate the wound, and a door to at least partially cover the fluid source.

Abstract: A dressing especially for covering wounds or preventing or treating blisters, comprising a water vapor pervious carrier film uniformly covered with an adhesive layer, wherein there is centrally disposed on the adhesive layer a water vapor pervious polyurethane matrix which is beveled from an especially central point to the edge of the adhesive layer, although the periphery of the adhesive layer is at least partially not covered by the polyurethane matrix.

Abstract: A flange for a medical collecting bag having an aperture allowing bodily fluids or exudates to enter the bag. The flange has an inner rim delimiting the aperture therein, and a central area encircling the aperture, which area has a predetermined weakening line pattern. The force needed for removing the bag flange from the skin or a body side member is smaller than the force needed for breaking the weakening lines which enables a simple gradual enlargement of the aperture of an ostomy device for adaptation of the aperture to the size of the stoma or for adaptation of the aperture to the size of a wound, as well as a complete removal of the bag flange when substituting the bag.