Abstract: A tampon applicator assembly has a barrel with a fingergrip. The fingergrip has one or more flared portions and/or one or more rib-like or ring-like gripping structures. A tampon applicator fingergrip includes one or more flared portions having a flare angle between about 139° and about 156° and a curve represented by an equation range of y=16.127x3?1.5061x2+0.0568x+0.0001 to y=6.9136x3?0.5598x2+0.0168x+0.0003, where y is an incremental increase in a height of the curve at a distance along a length of the curve.

Abstract: Laser emission systems for surgical and other therapeutic uses are herein disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, different laser control systems are disclosed each capable of multiple, simultaneous emission of lasers of different wavelengths in a single beam. The embodiments feature a handheld wireless laser module or a portable console with a laser tip extending therefrom. The laser module is controlled by wireless footswitch. Fiber extension modules may be used with the later embodiment.

Abstract: A disposable wearable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core area, a side, and an anchoring subsystem. The anchoring subsystem includes exactly one side anchoring member. The side anchoring member has a pathway with a front end, a back end, and a middle. The front end, the back end, or both ends are disposed outside of the absorbent core area. The front end is disposed at a front end longitudinally outboard distance. The back end is disposed at a back end longitudinally outboard distance. The middle is disposed at a middle longitudinally outboard distance. The back end longitudinally outboard distance is less than the front end longitudinally outboard distance. The front end longitudinally outboard distance is about equal to the middle longitudinally outboard distance.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article having a rear waist region which includes a rear waist main section facing a front waist region and a buttocks-covering section lying adjacent to a crotch region. The rear waist main section is divided into an upper area lying adjacent to a waist-opening and a lower area lying adjacent to the crotch region wherein a tensile stress per unit width dimension in the buttocks-covering section is lower than a tensile stress per unit width dimension in the lower area of the rear waist main section.

Abstract: A heat generating device includes a holder and a heat generating member that is enclosed in the holder and that contains an oxidizable metal, a reaction accelerator, an electrolyte, and water. The heat generating member contains a transdermally-absorbable medicament and a solvent for dissolving the transdermally-absorbable medicament. It is preferable that the solvent is at least one type of polyol selected from polyols that are in their liquid state at 25° C. It is also preferable that the heat generating member further contains at least one type of solvent composed of an oily agent that is in its liquid state at 25° C. It is also preferable that the heat generating member further contains a surfactant. It is also preferable that the polyol is polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles. The disposable absorbent articles include: (a) a body contacting surface; (b) a garment contacting surface opposite the body contacting surface; and (c) an inkjet printed wetness indicator which is seen through either the body contacting surface or the garment contacting surface. The wetness indicator includes a central graphic and a background graphic, the central graphic having at least one permanent ink composition and the background graphic having at least one water soluble ink composition.

Abstract: A rectal appliance with a tubular member defining a communication passage for body waste, and first and second inflatable chamber portions carried on the tubular member for forming internal and external seals with respect to the anus. One or both of the inflatable chamber portions have a partly flared shape. The second inflatable chamber portion has a low external profile, and a concave sealing surface. The inflatable chamber portions are defined at least partly by a common flexible membrane that is constrained near a middle region to define a narrow waist between the two inflatable chamber portions.

Abstract: A bio-compatible lumen bearing device such as a catheter formed of a polymeric material having a titanium surface bonded to the underlying exposed catheter surface. The titanium surface is employed in patients to improve bio-compatibility and enhance lubricity during insertion and removal.

Abstract: Absorbent products for feminine protection, for example sanitary pads, pantiliners or tampons, comprising a cationic modified starch. The starch is modified by a cationizing agent comprising an ammonium group, wherein the degree of substitution of the cationizing agent is from about 0.070 to less than 0.50.

Abstract: A male incontinence protector includes a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a front end portion with a front end edge, and a rear end portion with a rear end edge. The front end portion has greater maximum extension in the transverse direction than the maximum extension of the rear end portion in the transverse direction. The male incontinence protector further includes side edges extending between the front end edge and the rear end edge, a garment-facing surface, and a wearer-facing surface. The incontinence protector has a tendon engagement member arranged in the rear end portion.

Abstract: A waste management system includes a waste transport device and a waste collection device. The waste transport device may include a first connector member configured for releasable connection to a second connector member on the waste collection device. The system may also include an insertion device to facilitate insertion of the waste transport device into the rectum of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bandage for use in negative-pressure wound therapy, more particularly for wounds in the abdominal region, comprising a flexible film as a wound contact layer and at least one conduit applied to the film, wherein the conduit communicates with the wound space through openings in the conduit and in the film.

Abstract: A valve is provided for controlling the flow of gas through an anesthesia or respiratory breathing circuit. The valve includes a valve body having a first port, a second port, and a third port. The third port includes a flow restrictor for restricting the flow of gas through the third port. A valve closing member is provided that is moveable between an open position where gas can flow through the third port, and a closed position. In the closed position, gas is prevented from flowing through the third port.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes a body chassis having a terminal front waist edge, a terminal back waist edge longitudinally spaced from the terminal front waist edge, a first length defined between the terminal front waist edge and the terminal back waist edge, and a laterally extending centerline defined half way between the terminal front and back waist edges. An absorbent insert is fixedly secured to the body chassis. The absorbent insert has a retention region including an absorbent material. The retention region has first and second longitudinally spaced boundaries and a second length defined between the first and second boundaries. The second length is less than or equal to 50% of the first length, and at least 70% of the second length is positioned between the centerline and the terminal front waist edge. There is no absorbent material disposed outside of the retention region defined between the first and second boundaries.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of the front end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1. The absorbent article has a topsheet, backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of rear side flaps each extending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the absorbent core in the rear end region and a continuous support layer disposed on the backsheet in the rear end region. The continuous support layer includes a continuous material having a shear rigidity value of at least 3.0 gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a tissue site of a patient includes a reduced-pressure source for supplying reduced pressure, a fluid source for supplying a fluid, and a plurality of inflatable bladders for placing adjacent the tissue site. The inflatable bladders are operable to receive the fluid to expand from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The system also includes a plurality of chambers that are compressible. At least one of the plurality of chambers is disposed between a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder of the plurality of inflatable bladders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating overactive bladders and a device for storing and administering non-occluded oxybutynin topical compositions.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a body side liner, a back sheet, an absorbent body positioned between the body side liner and the back sheet, and a distribution layer positioned between the absorbent body and the back sheet. The absorbent body defines a first opening having an opening length that is at least 50% the absorbent body length. The first opening has a median anterior portion width that is greater than a median central portion width that is greater than a median posterior portion width. The first opening includes a well, a channel, and a taper. The well transitions into the channel via a first convex transition and a concave transition. The channel transitions into the taper via a second convex transition.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a system and method for administering reduced pressure at a tissue site. The apparatus includes a reduced pressure source. The reduced pressure source generates a reduced pressure. The apparatus includes a tube having a plurality of lumens. The plurality of lumens includes at least one collection lumen. The reduced pressure source applies the reduced pressure to the tissue site through the plurality of lumens such that the at least one collection lumen receives fluid from the tissue site. The at least one collection lumen stores the fluid received from the tissue site.