Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper, an incontinence guard or a sanitary napkin includes a liquid-permeable outer sheet, a liquid-impermeable bottom sheet and an absorbent body placed therebetween. The outer sheet and the absorbent body are at least partially joined together with a hydrophilic glue.

Abstract: A waste bag made from a sheet of plastics laminate comprising a layer of generally fluid-proof plastics material and a layer of liquid-absorbent plastics material. The liquid-absorbent material is on the inside of the bag, and the laminate is turned back on itself along at least one seam of the bag. Regions of the generally fluid-proof plastics material that are in contact with one another along that seam are sealed together ultrasonically.

Abstract: A flushable and dispersible interlabial absorbent structure having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core is described. The topsheet is preferably a wet laid, apertured fibrous web having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The body surface of the topsheet also has a plurality of fibrils, the fibrils are made of a water resistant resinous material. The backsheet is preferably a wet laid fibrous assembly having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The body surface of the backsheet is also preferably coated with a water resistant resinous material. The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet and the backsheet are joined, at least about their periphery, using a water soluble adhesive. The interlabial absorbent structure also may have means for removably attaching the interlabial absorbent structure to the interior surfaces of a wearer's labia.

Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.

Abstract: There is provided a surge material for personal care products which is a wettable web of fibers of 30 microns in diameter or less where the web has a permeability between about 250 and 1500 Darcys, a capillary tension between about 1.5 and 5 cm, and which maintains that permeability and capillary tension over the life of the web. Its preferred that the web have a density between about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.07 g/cc.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to medical devices comprising biodegradable guide channels for use in the repair and regeneration of nerve tissue. The guide channels of the present invention comprise interlaced threads imbedded in a matrix, wherein both the matrix and the threads comprise biocompatible and bioabsorbable esters of hyaluronic acid. The matrix of the present invention further optionally comprises biologically or pharmacologically active factors in association with the guide channels.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for efficient flow of liquid into and/or out of a vial, such as a vial containing a lyophilized drug. The connector assembly includes a spike slidably mounted in the open top of the vial. The connector assembly further includes a stopper sealingly engaged in the open top of the vial and slidably moveable in response to the axially movement of the spike. Thus, movement of the spike relative to the vial will move the stopper into or out of sealing engagement with the vial. The connector assembly further includes a spring for generating a small amount of axial movement of the spike after the stopper has been moved into the opened position in the vial. Movement of the spike generated by the spring will cause a sufficient change in pressure to overcome surface tension and initiate an efficient flow of fluid into or out of the vial.

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 especially adapted for users ranging from walking infants to adults in a pre-dominantly lying-down position, comprises cushioning means in at least the back waist region of the article. A liquid barrier is located between the cushioning means and the absorbent core to prevent liquids from migrating into the cushioning means. In one embodiment, the average basis capacity of the absorbent core is highest in the back half section of the core.

Abstract: A support system for a catheter urine collection bag comprising three circumferential straps with suitable padding and adjustable hook and loop closures. The circumferential straps are held in proximity to one another by a first longitudinal strap connecting the three on their front surfaces, and a second longitudinal control strap between the upper strap and the second strap on their rear surfaces. The longitudinal control strap acts fundamentally as a hinge between the upper two circumferential straps to prevent the circumferential straps from twisting out of position relative to one another. The second circumferential strap and the lower, third strap have loop closure material which matches hook closure material threaded through the support holes formed into the bag.

Abstract: Methods of artificially lining a vessel, especially an artery, of a medical patient to address the existence of a flow-inhibiting atheroma and to significantly alleviate the probability of restenosis, and the resulting products.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body portion, a pair of flaps joined to the main body portion, and an adhesive patch joined to each flap. Each adhesive patch comprises a first half and a second half releasably secured to the first half. The first half has adhesive zones and release zones, and the second half has adhesive zones and release zones which are removably securable to the release zones and adhesive zones of the first half.

Abstract: The malodours of an ostomy bag are reduced by including therein an article including a hygroscopic matrix and additive. The matrix is selected from polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and glycerol. The additive is selected from food preservatives, fragrances, disinfectants, and odor absorbers.

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 structure in an absorbent article, such as a diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin and the like, wherein the structure includes hydrophilic fibres and particles of a superabsorbent material and also has a front and a back part (4, 5) and a crotch part (6) located therebetween, said crotch part exhibiting a wetting region (16) within which the major part of discharged fluid is directed and wherein the absorbent structure in the wetting region includes superabsorbent particles that are encased in a material that will only dissolve slowly in and/or be penetrated slowly by the fluid to be absorbed so that the superabsorbent material will not begin to absorb fluid and swell to any appreciable extent until the encapsulating material has dissolved and/or been penetrated by the fluid and that conventional superabsorbent material (15) is localized generally in those parts of the structure that are located outside said wetting region.

Abstract: A fabric of flexible material adapted to be worn around the abdomen of a patient adjacent to the protruding end of a Peritoneal Dialysis catheter and transfer tube. The front part of the belt that crosses the abdomen consists of a single panel of fabric, the back part of the main belt is made up of two pieces of fabric layered one on top of the other forming a reinforced envelope into which the transfer tube is inserted. The rest of the belt is made of an elastic band attached to each end of the main belt and featuring a fastening means. This belt serves to enclose, protect, and secure the transfer tube and prevent it from dangling. The proposed device, Tuck-Away Belt, accommodates this transfer tube, is not restrictive to active Peritoneal Dialysis patients, and is not noticeable under conventional garment.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is for attaching to and wearing in an undergarment is provided. The sanitary napkin of the present invention has a fastener that aids the sanitary napkin in assuming a body-conforming configuration during wear. The fastener comprises at least two zones of fastener material located only in the end regions of the sanitary napkin. In one embodiment, the zones of fastener material are arranged in an overall configuration that resembles a modified letter "X" without any fastener material in the portion of the configuration that would form the center of the letter X, and the ends of the "X" located in the corner regions of the sanitary napkin.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is described in which the absorbent core's material is distributed in such a way that three zones are made inside of it" one of liquid reception, a zone of distribution-storage, and finally an anti-leakage zone. The reception zone is placed where generally the user discharges urine while using the diaper. This zone is less dense and has a lower specific gravity than the distribution-storage zone that fully surrounds it, in such way that when liquid flows in the reception zone it is immediately absorbed and flows towards the distribution-storage zone, which will distribute the liquid to every zone of the diaper and there it will remain until the diaper is disposed, since when liquid reaches the anti-leakage zone fluid flow is drastically stopped because this zone has lower density than the distribution-storage zone and the liquid will not flow towards it due to the increased size of the capillary radius.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wound treatment apparatus including a flexible transparent envelope of generally elongated configuration having a first end and a second end, a primary opening at the first end of the envelope, the primary opening having a peripheral margin therearound, the margin including a securement band for securement of the flexible envelope to a portion of the body being treated. The apparatus includes a first access port through the envelope, a wound fluid applying gun having an elongated barrel juxtaposable in a close fitting relationship to the first access port, to supply a pressurized wound treatment fluid onto any body portion attached to the envelope, and a drain port in communication with a collection chamber for draining any effluent fluid, tissue and/or gas from that envelope.

Abstract: The porous sheet obtainable by stretching, in at least one direction, a sheet formed from a melt mixture of a resin composition comprising:100 parts by weight of a resin mixture consisting of 63 to 90 parts by weight of a crystalline polyolefin resin, and 37 to 10 parts by weight of a compound having a volatile temperature at an ambient pressure of 240.degree. C. or higher and a melting temperature of 90.degree. C. or lower; and7 to 40 parts by weight of a particulate material having an average particle diameter of 0.3 to 8 .mu.m and a maximum particle diameter of 13 .mu.m or smaller, the particulate material being not melted at the molding temperature of the resin mixture is disclosed.