Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable, oriented microporous elastomeric film. The present invention also relates to a process for forming the breathable film including the step of stretching a filled film to produce a microporous film layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides different size breathing masks in which single size filtration shells are attached to a single size face contacting member at the same periphery. A single size face contacting member has one, or more than one size, inner breathing opening with a narrower cut profile in the nose area than in the mouth and chin area. Such different size breathing masks would fit and provide an effective seal for more than one size of wearer.

Abstract: A concealed colostomy apparatus comprising a sleeve insertible into the bowel via a discharge opening thereof for retention therein, the sleeve then having a discharge end; a cap removably interfitting the discharge end of the sleeve; and a flexible pouch received in collapsed position into the sleeve to in turn receive feces from the bowel, the cap being removable to allow distending of the pouch outside the sleeve and continued filling of fecal matter into the pouch.

Abstract: A generally thin, flexible sanitary napkin capable of handling medium to high menstrual flows which has a central absorbent hump is disclosed. The hump comprises a longitudinally-oriented elongated medial absorbent hump that projects from the body surface of the sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin preferably has surrounding absorbent regions outboard of the hump with a caliper of less than or equal to about 5 millimeters. The sanitary napkin preferably has a caliper at the point of maximum amplitude of the hump that is greater than twice the caliper of the surrounding regions. The hump preferably has a caliper of at least about 0.15 inch (about 3.5-4 millimeters). The longitudinal central region of the sanitary napkin preferably has a flexure-resistance that is greater than that of the surrounding regions.

Abstract: A fluid collection device having a primary container and a secondary container and a two stage fixation system for facilitating and controlling the fixation of cells in a sample of a biological fluid such as urine. The primary container generally comprises a plastic cup having a filtering apparatus disposed within it for filtering cells from the fluid. The primary container may contain a first stage fixative. The device further comprises a cover comprising a pressurizing chamber for forcing fluid through the filter and fixative delivery chamber for dispensing a fixative into the primary container. The filtered fluid may be reserved within a secondary container attached to the primary container. The filter having the cells retained on its surface is removable from the primary container for the purpose of laboratory analyses of the cells.

Abstract: An absorbent product comprising a liquid permeable surface sheet, a liquid nonpermeable back sheet and an absorbent layer located therebetween, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a water nonswellable synthetic fiber (a) and optionally cellulose fiber (b), and a water-absorbent resin (c), with the weight ratio of (a):(b) being (100 to 20):(0 to 80) and the percentage content of (c) based on the weight sum of (a), (b) and (c) is 25 to 75 weight %. The absorbent layer is treated with polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surface active agent (d1) and/or a nonsilicone surface active agent having HLB of 8 to 14 (d2). Absorbent products of the present invention exhibit excellent shape retention in the moist state and good permeability and diffusibility for the absorbed liquid. Accordingly, they provide excellent surface dryness, reduced leakage and thus can be comfortably used for a long time and effectively applied to disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence pads.

Abstract: An anatomically specific, bioresorbable, implant device for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of using the implant device for facilitating the healing of a human joint lesion includes a cartilage region invested with an alginate microstructure joined with a subchondral bone region invested with a hyaluronan microstructure. The alginate selectively dispersed in the cartilage region enhances the environment for chondrocytes to grow articular cartilage. The hyaluronan selectively dispersed in the subchondral bone region enhances the environment for mesenchymal cells which migrate into that region's macrostructure and which differentiate into osteoblasts. The microstructures can be invested at varying concentrations in the regions. A hydrophobic barrier, strategically positioned within the subchondral bone region macrostructure, shields the chondrocytes from the oxygenated blood in subchondral cancellous bone.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid pervious backsheet joined to at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, and a waste management element disposed in at least a portion of the crotch region. The waste management element preferably includes a macro-particulate structure comprising a multiplicity of particulate having a nominal size of between about 1 mm and about 25.4 mm. The waste management element preferably has an Acceptance Under Pressure value of greater than about 0.50 grams of a viscous fluid bodily waste per square inch of the waste management element per milliJoule of energy input. The waste management element preferably also has a Storage Under Pressure value of at least about 0.70 grams of the viscous fluid bodily waste per square inch of the waste management element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent article having adjustable absorbent assemblies. The absorbent article includes a chassis having a urine collection zone disposed in at least a portion of the front waist region and a feces collection zone disposed in at least a portion of the rear waist region. The chassis includes a first absorbent assembly, at least a portion of which is located in the urine collection zone. The chassis also includes a second absorbent assembly, at least a portion of which is located in the feces collection zone. The chassis further comprises an adjustment member adjustably joining said first absorbent assembly and said second absorbent assembly such that said first absorbent assembly and said second absorbent assembly are moveable relative to each other in at least a direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline.

Abstract: A female urinary collection device includes a receptacle pouch for collecting urine. The receptacle pouch includes a first area for securing adhesive strip to each buttock of a user to create a relatively rigid engagement of the device with the body. In the upper zone, there is a stretch loop and foam belt for securing the pouch around the waist. Inside the receptacle pouch, there is a reservoir of adsorbent material with a wick which exits the receptacle pouch through a tubing connected to an orifice in the receptacle. The receptacle pouch fits around the labia majora of the user. In some cases there are two outlets from the receptacle. The orifices are spaced from each other such that when a patient is lying on either one of her sides with the receptacle in place the one orifice would be relatively above the other thereby facilitating drainage of urine from the receptacle when the patient is lying on either one of her sides.

Abstract: An orifice coupling, e.g. an ostomy coupling, includes a first coupling part (10) securable to a second coupling part (20) by a springy split locking ring (30). The locking ring (30) is held captive on the first coupling member (10) by lugs (13) extending radially from outside the locking ring and which enable the locking ring (30) to engage the second coupling member (20) substantially continuously around the periphery of the second coupling member. The coupling can be released when the ends (26,27) of the locking ring (30) are manipulated to expand the ring. The locking ring (30) may be integrally moulded with the first coupling member, and folded into an operative position on the first coupling member.

Abstract: Autologous and synthetic vascular implants that possess an external monolayer of endothelial cells genetically modified to express at least one of a number of therapeutic agents useful for the inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation are provided. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the endothelial cells coating the implant are genetically-modified to express and secrete the protein interferon-gamma. The use of such an implant in vascular and heart surgeries would substantially increase both the patency of the graft and the rate of surgical success by inhibiting the expansive growth of the vessel or heart lumen in response to surgical damage, which is a major cause of graft failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins worn by women. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as thin sanitary napkins, that are stretchable, especially in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A flexible absorbent article is disclosed which, in several embodiments, has a flexure-resistance of less than about 130 grams, a test capacity of at least about 8.0 grams, and a total capacity of at least about 20 grams. In one embodiment, the absorbent article is an interlabial device.

Abstract: An absorptive article containing a surface material comprising a combined non-woven fabric comprising at least two layers of a long fiber non-woven fabric and a short fiber non-woven fabric joined together and an absorbing body for retaining a body fluid is disclosed in which the short fiber non-woven fabric is composed of hot-melt-adhesive composite short fibers having at least two kinds of thermoplastic resin components of a high melting point component and low melting point component, and the hot-melt-adhesive composite short fibers are hot-melt-adhered together, the crossing angle of the short fibers at least preferably at least 45%, preferably at least 50% of the total contact points in the short fiber non-woven fabric are occupied by an angle of 60.degree. to 90.degree. in the analysis of the distribution of the crossing angle at the contact points of the fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diaper, incontinence device or training pant having one or more touch-sensitive fragrance members positioned thereon. Generally, the touch-sensitive fragrance member includes a breathable member fixedly attached to a backing member, such as the outer surface or the backsheet. Release agents are positioned between the breathable member and backing member such that when the breathable member is touched, fragrance is released from the release agents through the breathable member.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed, one component being a collection pouch and the other an adhesive faceplate for peristomal attachment to a patient. The two components are provided with coupling rings for mechanically and detachably joining them together. One of the rings has a bead-providing collar and a rocking wedge body as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,008. The other ring is of channel-shaped cross section having spaced concentric inner and outer side walls each provided with ribs positioned in direct opposition and extending into the channel along a single plane normal to the axis of that ring. In a preferred embodiment, the rib of the outer wall is interrupted to provide at least one wide notch or recess and an integral pull tab projects radially outwardly from the outer wall at the location of the notch for initiating either partial or complete separation of the rings during use of the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thin, elastomeric films made from low crystallinity propylene copolymers having a crystallinity of less than about 30%. The elastomeric films of the present invention have improved strength in the cross machine direction. The films may be incorporated into laminate materials used in the outer coverings of diapers, training pants, incontinence products and the like.

Abstract: An absorbent article including an odour control material and in particular to an article for absorbing fluids, for example, bodily fluids, the said article having incorporated therein a buffer as odour control material, which buffer has a pH in the range of from pH 7 to 10.

Abstract: An absorbent article which includes a liquid-permeable outer sheet (1) disposed on a first surface of the article, a liquid-impermeable outer sheet (2) disposed on a second surface of the article, and an absorbent body (3) which is enclosed between the two casing sheets and which includes a receiving space (24) for taking-up body liquid, wherein the space is comprised of at least one cavity or region of lower density than the density of a part of the absorbent body (3) adjacent the receiving space (24) and located generally in the same plane. The article is mainly characterized in that the receiving space (24) is disposed in a storage layer (19) in the absorbent body (3), and in that parts (20,125) of the storage layer (19) adjacent the receiving space (24) include a material which when wetted increases in volume in a direction generally perpendicular to the first surface of the article, whereby the size of the receiving space (24) is also increased in this direction as a result of wetting the article.