Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbent article, in particular a sanitary towel, having the following structure: a lower layer which faces the body when the absorbent article is in use and is impermeable to fluid; a primary accumulation layer which is disposed above the fluid-impermeable layer; a secondary accumulation layer disposed above the primary accumulation layer; a compensation layer disposed above the secondary accumulation layer; a cover layer which is disposed above the compensation layer and has a central opening; and a fluid-permeable upper layer which faces the body when the absorbent article is in use.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent underpants for containing body fluid includes a first pair of leg elastics, a second pair of leg elastics, and a third pair of leg elastics. Each of the third pair of leg elastics is a distinct member containing at least one strand of elastic that is partially enclosed by a carrier sheet. Each of the third pair of leg elastics is separated from at least one of the first or the second pair of leg elastics by a gap.

Abstract: An absorbent article contains at least one fluid storage member and at least one fluid distribution member. The fluid distribution member has an improved fluid handling property especially under sub-saturation conditions. Such members exhibit, at 50% of their saturation capacity, an increased permeability of at least about 14% of one at saturation. The fluid storage member has a higher Capillary Sorption Absorbency Height than the fluid distribution member.

Abstract: The present invention is an absorbent structure with an ultimate fluid storage member, comprising superabsorbent material at a relatively high concentration whereby the superabsorbent material has a good Performance under Pressure performance as well as a good Saline Flow conductivity. Further, the absorbent structure comprises a non-woven wrap sheet comprising small diameter fibers, which is in direct fluid communication with said storage member, and which has low strike-through times in a repeated modified strike through test.

Abstract: Rectal insertion device (1) for treating disorders of the digestive tract of a human or animal body such as colic comprising an elongate shaft (3) which is insertable into the anal canal of the human or animal body and a receptacle (12) for collecting feces discharged when the elongate shaft is inserted into the anal canal.

Abstract: A male incontinence device for removably fitting on an end of a user's penis. The device is releasably couplable to underwear having a waistband worn by the user. The male incontinence device includes a housing that has a front wall and a back wall defining an interior of the housing. The back wall of the housing has an access opening for providing access to the interior of the housing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the end of a penis is inserted into the interior of the housing through the access opening. An intermediate wall is mounted in the interior of the housing dividing the interior into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. In one embodiment of the present invention, the end of the penis is positioned in the upper compartment such that urine flows from the penis into the lower compartment of the housing.

Abstract: A blood removal device utilizing a wicking element. The wicking element includes a surface exposed to blood and a zone within which is spaced from the exposed surface. An antithrombotic material is applied and held to the surface of the wicking element. A suction force is applied to the zone of the wicking element spaced from the surface exposed to the blood.

Abstract: A litter box including a first litter box half with a first recess. The litter box also includes a second litter box half with a second recess. The second litter box half engages with the first litter box half to form an enclosure. The first recess aligns with the second recess when the first litter box half and second litter box half are engaged to form an entrance to the enclosure through which an animal can enter the enclosure. Additionally, the litter box includes a screen which fits into either the first litter box half or the second litter box half. The screen has panels so the screen can be lifted from either the first litter box half or the second litter box half. The first and second litter box halves can be triangular shaped to fit into a corner, or, the screen can have a rim which scrapes the side walls to clean them as it is lifted. Or, the recesses can have a spout for pouring litter. Or, the screen can have handles which extend above the litter box halves.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes a backsheet, a liner sheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The backsheet and liner sheets are shaped to form a pair of spaced-apart leg openings with a front waist area, a rear waist and a central crotch area. A pair of ribbons are disposed in opposing curved contours along at least the front and rear areas of the garment and optionally extend through the crotch area of the garment to form a generally oval-shaped exudate containment region about the crotch area of the garment. Each ribbon is fastened to the garment along one longitudinal ribbon edge to form free ribbon edges which rise from the garment to provide a raised barrier.

Abstract: Multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles are disclosed. The multicomponent particles comprise at least one acidic water-absorbing resin and at least one basic water-absorbing resin. Each particle contains at least one microdomain of the acidic resin in contact with, or in close proximity to, at least one microdomain of the basic resin. Blends of multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles with particles of a second water-absorbing resin also are disclosed. Improved diaper cores containing particles of the multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles also are disclosed.

Abstract: The external male urinary catheter assembly has a flexible moisture barrier sheet with a penis passage. The penis passage has a plurality of flaps, separated by radial slots. These slots are extended outward to adjust passage diameter. A liquid absorbent material pad has an absorbent material pad passage that is coaxial with the penis passage. A cup member has an inlet end flange that is held in alignment with the penis passage by a harness plate and harness. The absorbent material pad is compressed between the cup member flange and the moisture barrier sheet. The absorbent material pad absorbs liquid that is adjacent to the penis passage as well as liquid that passes between the cup flange and the moisture barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is a disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and backsheet. The topsheet includes a backing and a sheet of fibers. The sheet of fibers have anchor portions in the backing at spaced bonding locations and have arcuate portions of the sheet projecting from the backing between bonding locations.

Abstract: A urine absorbent bag includes a pair of pad sections placed one upon another. These pad sections are sealed together along one of the longitudinally opposite ends extending transversely of the bag and along adjacent side edge portions extending longitudinally of the bag and being contiguous to the one end. The pad sections are left unsealed along the other longitudinal end and along the remaining zones of the respective side edges extending adjacent the sealed side edge portions to define foldable regions. A guide structure for insertion of a wearer's penis is formed in one of the foldable regions.

Abstract: A diaper having an absorbent body including a topsheet, a backsheet, a core disposed therebetween and a first liquid-barrier wall lying in a rear half section of the body and extending above an upper surface of the topsheet so as to define a first opening in a substantially central zone of the first liquid-barrier wall, and the body further includes a second liquid-barrier wall lying in a front half section of the body in one-behind-another relationship with the first liquid-barrier wall so as to define a second opening in a substantially central zone of the second liquid-barrier wall so that urine discharged into the second opening may be absorbed by the core through the topsheet and feces discharged into the first opening may be absorbed by the core through the topsheet.

Abstract: Multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles are disclosed. The multicomponent particles comprise at least one acidic water-absorbing resin and at least one basic water-absorbing resin. Each particle contains microdomains of the acidic resin and/or the basic resin homogeneously dispersed throughout the particle.

Abstract: A bag for receiving waste discharge from a human body, and the venting/filter assembly for such a bag, are disclosed. The combination includes a filter for deodorizing gas vented through an aperture in one wall of the bag and a gas-permeable barrier membrane disposed between the filter and the interior of the bag so that all gas exiting the bag flows through the membrane. The barrier membrane comprises an unlaminated microporous film of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene impermeable to waste liquids and solids and having a porosity capable of blocking the passage of bacteria and, preferably, at least some viruses. A method of so venting flatus gasses while preventing the escape of microorganisms is also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article with improved body fit wherein a combination of downward-deflecting crease lines and an upward-deflecting shaping line are used in outer and central absorbent members, respectively, to achieve a form-fitting geometry in the crotch region while also enhancing control over fluid flow in the article. Embodiments with wicking barriers between the outer and central absorbent members are especially useful in achieving leakage reduction.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of improving kidney function, whereby a negative pressure is induced in the kidney. One embodiment useful in this regard comprises a balloon catheter having at least one lumen therethrough where the proximal end of the lumen is connected to a vacuum source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable surface wipe having a sensor which detects bodily waste contamination on a surface and which provides a signal indicating the presence of such contamination, desirably by detecting a component of the waste normally present in waste excreted by healthy individuals and not a component infrequently present in the waste due to special circumstances related to the health or other transient condition of the excreter. The signal provided by the sensor can be visible to a user of the article, and the article can include a substrate which incorporates the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the article is a cleaning article which can efficaciously clean bodily waste contamination from a surface.

Abstract: A method of removing body fluids from a patient and disposing of the body fluids, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a container including a bottom wall having therein a drain, (b) providing a drainage device for automatically opening the drain and draining the contents of the container, (c) collecting body fluids in the container, (d) placing the container on the drainage device, and (e) operating the drainage device so that the drainage device opens the drain and drains the contents of the container.