Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for aiding in compressing an extracranial blood vessel, the apparatus having a biasing member, or spring, for producing a constant force, and two elongated curved arms connected to the biasing member for transmitting the force. The connected arms define a substantially elliptical curve having the biasing member positioned along a major axis of the elliptical curve, and a pressure applicator connected to each arm for applying the force to the skin in the form of pressure, to thereby aid in compressing the underlying blood vessel. Each arm comprises a proximal arm portion connected to the spring, a distal arm portion pivotably connected to the proximal arm portion, and a pressure applicator connected to the distal arm portion. The device is substantially foldable by pivoting each distal arm portion to a position alongside its proximal arm portion, thereby folding the arm. The pressure may be applied with motion to thereby provide a substantially massaging action.

Abstract: A method of treating a body portion wound on a patient includes the steps of arranging a flexible envelope about the wound site of the patient being treated, the envelope having at least one primary opening to permit entry of the body portion; introducing a manipulable, fluid dispersing gun through a second opening in the envelope; supplying a pressurized fluid to the gun from a fluid transfer pump; and regulating the fluid dispersed in the envelope onto the wound site by a control apparatus selected from the group comprised of a temperature control, a pressure control, a spray control, a stream control, a pulsation control, a medicament control, or a suction control.

Abstract: An eye dropper bottle 20 is provided which allows a person to instill drops D into an eye E while the bottle 20 is held in a near horizontal orientation 22. The bottle 20 has a reservoir 51 for holding a liquid 59. The reservoir 51 includes a base 52, an upper end 50, and compressible walls 55. The bottle 20 further includes a neck 40 into which a dropper tip 34 fits. The neck 40 has external threads 42 onto which an internally threaded 32 cap 30 fits. The internal surface 56 of the walls 55 of the reservoir 51 maintains a constant slope 58 of a predetermined angle to allow virtually all the liquid 59 of the reservoir 51 to flow toward a dropper tip 34 where it can be discharged in the form of drops D while the bottle is held in a near horizontal orientation 22. The bottle 20 is grasped with a thumb T parallel to the length of the bottle 20 and an index finger F wrapped around a sulcus 48.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment having an elastic waist panel that includes one or more localized retention zones for retention the garment in its initial, as-applied position on the body of a wearer. The retention zones includes materials that have a higher coefficient of static friction than does the major surface area that constitutes the inner, body-facing surface of the garment. The garment can also include localized areas having a lower coefficient of static friction than that of the major inner surface area of the garment to facilitate placement of the garment in a desired wearing position. Such lower coefficient of static friction areas can include the areas adjacent the leg openings and the area of the waistband that overlies the stomach of the wearer.

Abstract: A cloth member for use in surgical operations includes a fluid absorbing device attached on a base member for absorbing the fluid or the water or the blood or the other fluid substances generated during the surgical operations that may contain various kinds of germs. The fluid absorbing device includes a water-proof layer attached to the base member, and a cover layer and one or more intermediate layers attached to the water-proof layer for absorbing the fluid. The cover layer includes a number of hairy members formed for spoiling a surface tension of the fluid.

Abstract: A substantially flexible, dry matrix, which contains not more than about 3% moisture at room temperature, is impregnated with a water free treatment mixture containing a lipid and a surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, the mixture includes a glycol, a surfactant and a lipid emollient, lubricant, medicament or skin protectant. Methods of manufacturing and using the impregnated matrices are also taught.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article having a fluid intake/distribution layer, a fluid transfer delay layer disposed beneath said fluid intake/distribution layer, said fluid transfer delay layer enabling the transfer of fluid from the fluid intake/distribution layer(s) to a pad layer disposed beneath the fluid transfer delay layer while still allowing fluid distribution by the fluid intake/distribution layer along the machine direction of the article resulting in saturation levels of less than or equal to about 0.86 g/g/in of fluid in the intake/distribution layer(s) and/or essentially equal to or greater than 0.06 g/g/in. of fluid in the pad layer.

Abstract: An eye drop dispensing device includes a trough member with a space to receive a cartridge housing enclosing a collapsible bag containing an ophthalmic liquid and comprising a spring finger applying pressure to the bag. The bag includes a wall pierced by a needle coupling the liquid to pump means through a one-way valve. The pump means includes a plunger biased to a resting position establishing a dosage chamber. Actuator means moves the plunger to enlarge the dosage chamber, causing a drop in pressure which draws a predetermined quantity of the liquid through the one-way valve into the dosage chamber. The actuator means then releases the plunger so that it moves to compress the dosage chamber to pump the liquid in the dosage chamber through a second one-way valve to spray the liquid through pinholes formed in a nozzle angled to direct the liquid as eye drops to the user's eye.

Abstract: A cannula is described for insertion within the nose of a patient to provide drainage or to allow for postoperative suction of the sinus after surgery. The cannula is formed as an elongated tubular section with an anchoring end for insertion into the sinus. At the anchoring end of the cannula reinforced leaflets are provided as drainage channels and to serve as the anchoring aspect of the cannula.

Abstract: An applicator system is provided for storage and retrieval of applicator strips from a container to be used for applying a liquid preparation to a user's body. An elongated applicator strip is hand held for the user to apply the liquid preparation on remote body parts, such as the back. The applicator strips can be sealed in the container to prevent the evaporation of the liquid preparation contained therein. The applicator strips have laminated layers including an absorbent first layer to receive and retain the liquid preparation. A non-absorbent stabilizing second layer is included to provide strength and dimensional stability. Preferably, the strip includes two outer first layers and one middle second layer. Each elongated applicator strip is preferably about 36 inches in length and about 4.5 inches in width.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical pump system 32 includes a collection reservoir 54 and a venturi pump 56 for creating a vacuum level for aspirating fluid and tissue from a surgical site to the collection reservoir 54. Aspiration tubing 50 connects to each of a surgical handpiece 46 and the collection reservoir 54. A flow meter 34 is electrically connected to either the aspiration tube 50 or the collection reservoir 54. Control circuitry 38 is connected to the flow meter 34 and to the venturi pump 56 for varying a vacuum level of the pump 56 to maintain a desired flow rate of the fluid and tissue being aspirated from the surgical site.

Abstract: A cutaneous applicator (10) for a liquid including a liquid storage cartridge (16) which is provided with an outlet (22) for the evacuation of the liquid. Also provided is a hydrophilic pledget (12) for applying the liquid to an area which is to be treated, and a structure (14) for maintaining the hydrophilic pledget (12) in a position opposite to the outlet for the evacuation of the liquid from the cartridge (16). The structure (14) for maintaining the pledget is integral with the cartridge (16). The applicator can be used to apply an aseptic liquid for cutaneous treatment.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device for dispensing of an eyedrop from a resilient eyedrop dispenser. The ophthalmic device has an upper body portion having a front portion, first and second lever arm members rigidly connected to the front portion and extending in a longitudinal direction therefrom with distal ends of the arm members being spaced apart. An opening in the upper body portion for receiving the eyedrop container with outlet pointing down. Squeezing the arm members together reduces the opening thereby dispensing an eyedrop. An alignment projection is attached to the upper body portion and has a lower distal end for resting on an user facial area, thereby facilitating maintaining the outlet of the eyedropper container in alignment with a recipient eye. Sighting apertures are also provide to further insure proper alignment over the eye. The ophthalmic device has a shape effective for producing by injection molding.

Abstract: An automatic mucus removal device for extracting mucus from a nasal cavity includes a transportable housing which encases a compact vacuum source connected to a power source, and to which a disposable mucus trap member is removably attached. The housing includes a base portion and a barrel portion, with the mucus trap member preferably attached to one end of the barrel portion. An ejection rod is resiliently mounted to the opposing end of the barrel portion, with the ejection rod operable to expel the mucus trap member from the housing. The user therefore is not required to contact the mucus trap member or the mucus associated with it, and the mucus trap member may be disposed of or cleaned as desired.

Abstract: Microdermabrasion and suction massage apparatus are included in a single unit and alternatively connectable through a mode switch to a source of vacuum. The microdermabrasion section of the unit includes a crystal pick up station operating with a venturi effect to draw crystals through a hole into an air stream. The size of the hole is variable to control crystal density. A bleed valve is provided to control crystal velocity without controlling crystal density, while a bypass valve is provided to control crystal density without controlling crystal velocity. In an associated method, a microdermabrasion procedure is performed on the skin of a patient at an operative site. The mode switch is operated to activate the suction massage apparatus within the unit. This step is followed by performing a suction massage procedure at the operative site in order to promote healing of the abraded skin. The unit can be back flushed by connecting various portions of the unit to a pressurized output of the source of vacuum.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance comprising a body side member, an optionally separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured to the body side member, said body side member comprising a ring-shaped body having an adhesive wafer having a hole for accommodating a stoma and further a separate sealing member which, when in use, is placed in the hole for sealing against the stoma, wherein the separate sealing member has a hole for accommodating the stoma and comprises a mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive in the form of a disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the hole of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side member, wherein the disc has a flange member that is supplied with a folding zone that offers a flexible and secure means for sealing between the stoma and the body side member and may be exchanged separately leaving the body side member.

Abstract: A disposable body fluid filter unit 10 of the present invention comprises a suction inlet 14 connected to a suction tube 20 for suctioning body fluids 100; a collection chamber 18 for storing the body fluids 100 sucked in together with air after being separated from air; a filter 12 for allowing introduced air to pass through; and a collection inlet 16 communicating with a suction source 24, wherein the suction inlet 14 is positioned at one end of the substantially cylindrical-shape collection chamber 18, the filter 12 is positioned at the other end that is opposite to the one end, and a collection piper 23 is provided for guiding air from the chamber 18 to the collection inlet 14 through the filter 12.

Abstract: A device for suctioning material from skin pores, the device having a tip member, an elongated grip body having at least a transparent section, and a filter cartridge having at least a transparent section, with a filter disposed within the filter cartridge which allows passage of air but blocks passage of material, such that material extracted from the skin pores is observable as it passes through the grip body and is visible on the surface of the filter.

Abstract: A patch applicator has an elongate body with an inner lumen and an outer lumen arranged concentrically. A patch is also provided. In operation, a source of vacuum draws a vacuum through the inner lumen. The inner lumen is applied to a patch to releasably hold the patch. The patch is advanced within the patient until it is placed on top of and over a wound in tissue. Flowable adhesive is injected through the outer lumen onto the patch and tissue surrounding the patch. The patch applicator holds the patch in place, allowing the adhesive to at least partially set. The applicator is then removed from the patch. Thus, an adhesive patch is attached to close an opening in tissue.

Abstract: In a system which utilizes an endoscope and irrigation fluid during surgery within a body orifice, and in which irrigation fluid is withdrawn via a principal path into a suction canister, there is a substantially constant suction and withdrawal rate from the operative site to limit absorption of irrigation fluid within the patient, because a bifurcated flow path that leads to the suction canister not only from the endoscope but also from a drain bag receiving overflow from the body orifice via a tailored drape includes a substantially greater flow impedance in the drain bag path. The common suction line joined to the endoscope line and the drain bag line draws a flow through the endoscope that predominates, to maintain substantially constant withdrawal of irrigation fluid via that path, and substantially eliminates the possibility of loss of suction.