Abstract: An eye-drop applicator for directing eye-drop solution into a user's eye without the user blinking one's eye. The eye-drop applicator includes a container having a neck portion and also having an open end for storing eye-drop solution; and also includes a lid having a wall and being closable upon the open end of the container; and further includes a tubular eyedropper member being attached to the lid and through which eye-drops are dispensed from the container.

Abstract: A method for optimizing pupil size in individuals suffering from excessive pupillary dilation in dim light as well as through medication is disclosed. Alpha 1 antagonist is applied in an eye drop formulation to the eye, resulting in reduced pupil size in dim light, but less reduction in pupil size in bright light.

Abstract: A hemorrhoid relief and anal hygiene device includes a pressure member for placement between opposing buttock surfaces in the natal cleft adjacent to the anus of the user. The pressure member has opposite side faces for each positioning against one of the opposing buttock surfaces of the user. The pressure member has a perimeter wall extending between the opposite side faces with first, second, and third sections. The first and second sections have inboard ends converging at a protruding crest for partial insertion in the anus. The first and second sections are concave for abutting opposite areas of the surface of the anus. The third section extends between outboard ends of the first and second sections. A second embodiment of the device includes a bulbous central portion having a substantially spherical shape and a pair of elongate side members extending outwardly from opposite sides of the central portion.

Abstract: The skin cleaning method employs a skin cleaning aid knitted from an acrylic yarn using a garter stitch. The garter stitch creates surfaces with ridges and voids that pass through the cleaning aid. A cleanser and water form a lather that fills some of the voids. When using the skin cleaner, abrasive acrylic fibers scrape lather and dead skin cells from the skin and deliver the lather and dead skin cells to an adjacent void. Additional lather is applied to the skin that was scraped by an acrylic fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body waste collector which allows the discharge of the gases in the ostomy bag over a long time and is, in addition, highly economical. The body waste collector comprises an ostomy bag 2 formed by sealing together the peripheral edge portions 16 of two films 7, 8 for collecting the body wastes, a faceplate 1 coupled to one film 7 of the ostomy bag, a gas-discharging vent 11 provided in the other film 8 of the ostomy bag so as to connect the inside of the ostomy bag to the outside thereof, and a deodorizing filter 12 disposed so as to communicate with the gas-discharging vent 11, wherein, between the two films 7, 8 of the ostomy bag, there is disposed an intermediate wall 13 which is comprised of a fluid-impermeable material and divides the space 10 in the ostomy bag into two regions, i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating material for medical treatment, particularly a wound contact material, of resorbable, synthetic material, which is formed from a terpolymer based on lactide, trimethylene carbonate and &egr;-caprolactone with a maximum lactide content of 85 wt. %, trimethylene carbonate in the range 5 to 20 wt. % and &egr;-caprolactone in the range 5 to 20 wt. %, a method for its manufacture and its use.

Abstract: A face mask folded and having one or more knob portions projecting outward, is characterized in that a cellulose nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of below 60 g/m2 is used as a main sheet base material. The nonwoven fabric is reinforced by mixing synthetic fibers or by superimposing on one side or interposing a film. The nonwoven fabric has an elongation percentage of 30% or less at a tensile stress of 3.9 N/5 cm when being wetted, and a relative bending resistance of 5 mN·cm or less. The face mask is impregnated with a facial pack lotion, the viscosity of which is within the range of 0.5 to 10 Pa·sec, in an amount of 50% by weight or more based on the sheet base material.

Abstract: A wound closure apparatus having a housing that contains a vacuum pump and a chamber for holding a disposable wound fluid collection canister. The canister resides within the chamber and connects at an outlet with the vacuum pump at an inlet with a porous wound pad. The pad is placed over or within a wound and adhesively secured thereto. When the vacuum pump activates, it evacuates air from the canister resulting in wound fluids flowing from the wound into the canister. Due to the negative effect that a vacuum can impose on tissue when granulation tissue is pulled into the pad, the pad contains multiple pore sizes to prevent granulation tissue from migrating into the pad. The pad has an outer surface adjacent the wound with pore sizes of a diameter of approximately 100 microns or less to prevent tissue from growing into the pad and is treated for biocompatibility.

Abstract: The invention preferably is a wound dressing system having a dressing and an irrigation system in communication with the dressing. The dressing preferably includes a first layer for contacting the wound/injury site of a patient and a second layer that has a backing layer. The backing layer preferably prevents seepage from the wound and/or moisture within the dressing from soiling the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A snap-in insert is disclosed for use with the faceplate of an ostomy appliance. The faceplate includes a convex pressure ring and an adhesive barrier pad or wafer that extends over the convex surface of that ring. The insert has an apertured support wall that is flexible but sufficiently stiff to support and thereby brace the barrier pad about the faceplate's stoma-receiving opening.

Abstract: A microdermabrasion handpiece includes a supply lumen and a return lumen in fluid communication with an abrasion chamber. A window formed at a distal end of the handpiece is off-centered from the supply lumen. The supply lumen directs a flow of abrasive particulate in a first direction. A supply nozzle adjacent to the distal end of the handpiece directs the flow of abrasive particulate at the window in a second direction different from the first direction. Methods for performing microdermabrasion are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of dermal abrasion, that includes exposing a source of sterile liquid to a flow of pressurized gas, thereby causing a pumped supply thereof into a fluid delivery head (200); supplying the pressurized gas to the fluid delivery head; combining the gas, and liquid (204) supplied to the delivery head; this fluid delivery head having a fluid outlet (206) with a predetermined internal diameter (210), so as to provide a gas-liquid outflow in the form of a sterile liquid mist jet suspended in a high velocity gas stream; and exposing to the mist jet, at a preselected distance from the fluid outlet, a portion of the skin surface (224) sought to be abraded, thereby separating therefrom at least a portion of the epidermis (225), and removing therefrom the resulting tissue debris.

Abstract: A portable saliva compensation device is provided with a portable carrying case holding a vacuum pump, and a portable power supply for providing power to vacuum pump. A programmable electrical control circuit is connected to the portable power supply and the pump. A saliva collection device is provided having a portion thereof positionable inside user's mouth for collecting excess saliva and conveying it to a hollow tube connecting between the saliva collection device and the vacuum pump. An activation operably coupled to the electrical control circuit to activate the vacuum pump when saliva is to be collected from the user's mouth. This draws the saliva from the collection device through said hollow tube and into a collection reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for transcutaneous and transmucosal application of carbon dioxide in the form of a gas and in the form of a capnic solution (such as carbonated water) for the relief of pain, including musculoskeletal disorders, neuralgias, rhinitis and other ailments. Gaseous carbon dioxide is applied to the skin for at least three minutes, and the capnic solution may be held on the skin for at least three minutes, which provides relief of symptoms. The capnic solution may also be sprayed onto mucous membranes such as the nose for relief of symptoms such as allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes of a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material and contains a reservoir. The reservoir defines a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm. A ring is provided in alignment with the peripheral edge of each diaphragm. The ring has a central opening that is aligned with the convolution and central portion of each diaphragm, to allow the diaphragm to flex within the ring. In this manner, the volume on one side of each diaphragm may be varied to correspond to a varying volume of infusion medium. Similarly, the volume within the reservoir chamber on the other side of the diaphragms is varied as the diaphragms flex, to correspond to the expansion and contraction of a propellant medium within the reservoir.

Abstract: A wound closure system (10) for closing a wound on a patient comprises an elongated flexible backing strip (12) having a length and width sufficient to secure facing edges of the wound in close juxtaposition to one another, the backing strip comprising a first portion disposed between the ends and adapted to overlie the facing edges of the wound, and second and third portions disposed on either side of the first portion and each provided with a predetermined number of spaced-apart apertures extending through the backing strip from one surface thereof to the other; and a first pressure-sensitive adhesive (18) coated on at least part of the first surface of the backing strip (12) including the second and third portions thereof, to adhere the backing strip to the patient with the facing edges of the wound being in close juxtaposition.

Abstract: An wc-disposable ostomy bag has a pouch of alkali-disposable material and an adhesive flange in two parts. One part is an inner ring permanently bonded with the pouch around its opening. The other part forms the major part of the flange and is an outer ring attached with the pouch by a temporary, manually-separable bond. The outer ring can be disposed of separately from the pouch and inner ring, which are placed in a wc to which an alkali has been added. The small size of the inner ring enables it to be flushed away.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hemostatic sponge based on collagen and an activator or proactivator of blood coagulation homogeneously distributed therein, which is dried and contains a water content of at least 2%, preferably in the range of 2 to 25%, more preferred 10 to 20%, and a method for producing this sponge.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a medication dispensing device which can be attached to the head of an individual 12 via a head band 30 having a medicinal depository reservoir 16 located at the top of the head band 30 wherein a measured amount of liquid medication 22 would be inserted therein and the device would hold the medication 22 until released whereby the medication would then travel down a length of conduit 18 until being dispensed into the ear canal 36 through an earpiece 34.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for placement in the thoracic cavity of a patient. The device is a cannula, tube or catheter for chest drainage. The device serves as a conduit for drainage of excessive fluid or air buildup in the chest to a receptacle outside the body. The device also serves to prevent influx of fluid or air into the chest cavity, thus preventing pneumothorax or infection. The device incorporates systems for anchoring the chest drainage cannula to the chest.