Abstract: A topsheet for use in body fluid absorptive goods includes an upper sheet having a skin-contacting area and a plurality of liquid passages each having upper and lower openings. A lower sheet underlies the upper sheet. The lower sheet is welded to the upper sheet around the lower openings and extends into each of the liquid passages along a limited extent thereof.

Abstract: A filter device and method of filtering components from a surgery plume. The filter device is comprised of a plurality of elements which react with one or more components of a surgery plume, such as that generated during electrocautery or laser surgery. The filter device, particularly in conjunction with a separate particle filter, removes cyanide, formaldehyde, benzene, and particulates, as well as odor-causing species and moisture from the surgery plume.

Abstract: A femoral implant for a hip prosthesis includes a shaft oriented in a longitudinal direction and a neck extending from said shaft at an acute angle .theta. to the longitudinal direction. The implant includes a plurality of layers of fibers in a matrix, wherein the fibers are substantially unidirectional in each respective layer. The implant is made from a stack of layers of the matrix so that the direction of fibers is unbalanced. At least 50% of the fibers are oriented in the .theta. direction and the remainder of said fibers are oriented in directions other than the .theta. angle.

Abstract: An absorbent pad effectively adapted for use as an adult diaper or, in a slightly different version, to be worn as an absorbent disposable pad within reusable panties. The product includes a liquid impervious backing sheet, a liquid permeable upper facing sheet adhered to the backing sheet about the edges thereof and an intermediate absorbent pad combination comprising upper and lower tissue layers and a paper fluff filler mat sandwiched together with a pair of spatially separated barrier strips that are positioned parallel to each other along the sides of the article between the two tissue layers. The plies of the tissue layers are formed with a crepe-like irregular surface oriented to develop a wicking action directed along the layers in a transverse direction, toward the absorbent barrier strips.

Abstract: A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorbed by a patient during an endoscopic surgical procedure. The monitor comprises means for weighing fluid administered to the patient intravenously, as well as that introduced through the endoscope for irrigation purposes. In addition, means are provided for weighing fluid recovered from the patient, the endoscope, and the surgical drapes. The total weight of fluid administered, reduced by subtracting the total weight of fluid recovered, comprises the calculated fluid absorbed. Through manual entries and/or switch settings, computing means maintain totals of fluid administered and fluid collected even as fluid sources are replaced and the fluid collector is emptied. Optional verticality compensation means and anti-rotation devices are included.

Abstract: A surgical suction system and method includes a source of suction and a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end. At its distal end, the conduit has a diameter not greater than about 5/8 inch to provide limited access to the surgical site and an inside diameter not less than about 1/4 inch to accommodate the bone fragments in the waste slurry. A coupling is provided for connecting the proximal end of the conduit to the suction source in order to provide suction at the distal end of the conduit at a velocity not less than about ninety miles per hour. A fluid containment vessel can be connected between the conduit and the source of suction to provide a liquid trap for the waste slurry passing along the conduit. An associated method includes the step of activating the suction source to provide suction at the distal end of the conduit with a velocity not less than ninety miles per hour.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing at least two fluids comprises a housing (12,22) of a pistol-like configuration having an integral handle (50), in which a spring-biased trigger (60) is received. Within the housing (12,22) of the dispensing device (10), two syringes (80,81) are received and fixated, which syringes contain respective fluids to be accurately dispensed. Provided a cover (22) of the housing is closed, the motion of the trigger (60) relative to the handle (50) is transmitted to a toothed rack which cooperates with a propeller body (70) in a ratchet-like manner. The ratchet-like cooperation allows a uni-directional motion of the propeller body (70) and prevents a motion of the propeller body (70) in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A urinal device is disclosed for the reception therein of a user's penis. The device includes a support worn by the user for supporting the device relative to the user. A collar is secured to the support for the reception therein of the user's penis. The arrangement is such that in use of the device, the user's penis is inserted through the collar. The collar has a first and a second end. A flexible tubular portion is provided for sealing the device relative to the user's penis, the tubular portion having a first and second extremity. The first extremity engages the first end of the collar and the second extremity sealingly cooperates with the user's penis. A collection device sealingly cooperates with the second end of the collar, the arrangement being such that in use of the device, the user's penis is sealingly supported by the tubular portion so that the user's penis is disposed within the collar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable, leak-resistant site for the introduction of blunt or sharp penetrators and includes an elastomeric septum through which multiple openings are formed in the axial direction. The septum is inserted within a housing having a passageway defining an axial direction. The present invention also includes a method of using the injection or sampling site along with a method of assembling the same.

Abstract: A spring is imbedded in a collapsible rubberized ring with a flat broad bottom and peaked top having a wide inwardly sloping top face. The ring compresses together in a linear shape for anal insertion and expands out into a ring inside past the interior anal sphincter. A tapering funnel-shaped resilient neck connects the ring to an external receptacle to collect excretions. The receptacle may be formed integrally with the neck and ring or may be detachable. A gas release valve is built into the top of the receptacle. An enema tube may be inserted in the neck. Reinforcement on two opposing sides of the ring facilitates collapse of the ring by pulling on the neck for easy removal of the device from the patient. The spring may be a coil spring, a flat spring or a combination of the two. A slotted tube with a plunger and handle may be used to insert the compressed ring into the anal opening of a patient. The ring, neck, and receptacle are formed of a non-allergenic polymer such as Latex (TM).

Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body portion and a pair of flaps joined to the main body portion. The main body portion comprises an absorbent assembly and a pair of retaining members joined to the absorbent assembly to form recessed areas wherein the flaps may be tucked. Each retaining member comprises a unitary release material joined thereto such that the unitary release material superposes and is releasably secured to the flap adhesive when the flap is folded and tucked into the recessed area.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an expandable component. The expandable component comprises a compressed, resilient element disposed within an air impermeable envelope. The compressed element provides the absorbent article with a thin, low bulk profile prior to use of the disposable absorbent article, thereby reducing shipping and storage space. At the point of use of the absorbent article, the air impervious envelope is opened, thereby permitting entry of air into the envelope and expansion of the compressed element. In one embodiment the expandable component is a spacer for maintaining fecal void space in a disposable diaper. Alternatively, the expandable component can provide displacement of the topsheet relative to the backsheet along the longitudinal centerline of a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical liposuction apparatus comprises a piezoelectric crystal transducer assembly is connectable to an interchangeable operative probe and tip. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid. The tip is largely formed of a plastic material, to prevent the propagation of the ultrasonic waves to the distal end of the apparatus. Prevention of propagation of the ultrasonic energy to the distal end prevents unwanted damage of the tissues by an excessively hot tip. The tip can be removable or permanently affixed by a weld. The tip can have a metal jacket covering the lateral surfaces of the plastic tip body, to assist penetration of the fatty tissue, or the tip can be entirely made of plastic. The tip can also have an opening or series of openings for aspiration of the fatty tissue.

Abstract: An improved embryo collection device (10) is provided which minimizes the possibility of embryo damage or loss while facilitating rapid collection, isolation and extraction of embryos from an embryo-containing irrigant fluid. The device (10) includes a vessel (12) including an outlet port (22) for conveying filtered irrigant fluid out of vessel (12), a filter insert (14) positioned within vessel (12) for filtering embryos out of the irrigant fluid, and a lid (16) removably connected to the filter insert (14) including an inlet port (50) for delivering embryo-containing irrigant fluid to the vessel (12). The vessel (12) is formed of light-transmitting translucent or transparent material, and the filter insert (14) preferably includes isolation cells (42) so that the collection device (10) can be directly placed within a microscope for rapid examination and extraction of collected embryos (91).

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in absorbent products, but is particularly useful with urinary incontinence pads. An embossed pattern on the bottom layer of the double layer absorbent core construction improves the removal of urine or other fluids from the discharge zone to be ready for next void. One or more V-shaped notches cut at both ends of the pad provides the ergonomic fit of the pad to reduce the inevitable stiffness. The sides are designed as a flap which curves during the sealing process and provide natural curved flaps which form a soft gasket cushion and yields extra leak protection in the crotch area.

Abstract: A multifunctional device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the multifunctional device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal. The multifunctional device is formed of an absorbent material, preferably expandable, having a substantially rigid dry state prior to introduction to the operative site and a soft, flexible wet state after absorbing fluids. The absorbent material can be formed with a spine therein of either a continuous or a discontinuous, segmented construction, and the spine can be branched and tubular or solid.

Abstract: An ear ossicle prosthesis for sound transmission in a middle tube comprises a post composed of a gold and having two ends and a coupling body composed of pure titanium and coupled with at least one of the ends of the pure gold post.

Abstract: A dosing device for volumetric dosing of a liquid additive which is added in a certain volume ratio to a fluid, in particular withdrawn blood, flowing in a first hose line, via a second hose line feeding directly or indirectly into the first hose line. The dosing device for the volumetric dosing of an anticoagulant fluid or a sedimentation accelerator is preferably provided in a system for the collection and retransfusion of autologous blood which has a hose or tube section which extends downstream from the junction, and also a drip chamber connecting downstream from the drip tube and a light barrier, the direction of action of which is arranged transversely to the fall path of the drops. In order to avoid incorrect dosing because of changing viscosities of the liquid flowing in the first hose line, and thus of changing drop sizes, two electrically-triggerable valve means, one of which is in each case inserted into one of the two hose lines, are provided.

Abstract: A wound dressing for promoting moist wound healing comprising a backing sheet coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, an absorbent pad adhered to the adhesive, and a net extending across the pad and adhered to the adhesive. The perimeter of the pad is completely surrounded by a portion of the adhesive. The backing sheet comprises a strip of stretchable, liquid-permeable, non-woven fabric and a semi-occlusive film. The fabric strip is preferably disposed on an interior side of the film and carries the adhesive. The film defines an external face of the dressing and covers the entire surface area of the fabric strip.

Abstract: A blood reservoir which includes a primary reservoir that smoothly transitions into an outlet reservoir located beneath the primary reservoir. An inlet port permits the inflow of blood into the reservoir and an outlet port permits blood to flow out of the outlet reservoir. The primary reservoir defines an upper cavity that has first average cross sectional flow area. The outlet reservoir defines a lower cavity that has a second average cross sectional flow area which is preferably not more than one-half of the first average cross sectional flow area. The outlet reservoir therefore exhibits an increased sensitivity to blood level changes in the reservoir. The reservoir further includes features which inhibit the flow of blood from the outlet reservoir if the volume of blood in the outlet reservoir is reduced to a predetermined safety level.