Abstract: An improved reusable adult incontinent absorbent undergarment involving an outer panty with elastic waist band and leg holes and an inner hour-glass shaped insert stitched or attached by the use of VELCRO fasteners to the back and front of the panty without stitching in the crotch. By employing a novel combination of multiple layers of highly absorbent, antimicrobial fabric with an open knit polyester making contact with the skin forming a pad that is free floating in the crotch and an outer non-woven layer of urethane coated stretch fabric as a waterproof liner that is separately free floating and elasticly gathered in the crotch, the propensity for fluid leakage during use is dramatically reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have undergarment covering components (or "side wrapping elements") that automatically wrap the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side wrapping elements have at least one zone of extensibility and at a region therein that is stiffer than the zone of extensibility.

Abstract: An implant stem 10 and distal centralizer 20. Implant stem 10 has a plurality of longitudinal channels 14 formed around its periphery adjacent its distal end 12. Channels 14 converge radially toward the apex of the stem distal end 12. Channels extend only partially into the body of implant stem 10 to provide sufficient material to maintain the structural integrity of the distal end of the implant. Centralizer 20 includes a plurality of radially extending blades 22. The proximal end of each blade 22 is shaped to extend upwardly for securely mating with implant stem 10. The complimentary cruciate configuration of channels 14 and blades 22 allows centralizer 20 to be securely attached to implant stem 10.

Abstract: The male incontinence pants structure includes a single, flexible web having first and second web members with a connecting web extending therebetween, and interposed between the first and second web members are key-hole shaped openings to accommodate the legs and provide for linear seam engagement between the first and second webs employing such fasteners as tape members. A pocket member is integral with the second web, such that a slot member is arranged to accommodate the penile and scrotum portions of a male anatomy within the bag structure to accommodate involuntary discharge within the bag structure.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for a diaper or like disposable garment of a male mechanical fastening tab (e.g., a hook-type fastener) attached to a corner or edge region of the garment with a mating fibrous web on an opposing corner or edge region. The male mechanical fastening tab creates two areas of attachment, an outward portion extending beyond the first corner or edge region and an inward area extending inward of the first corner or edge region, where both areas of attachment engage the fibrous web on the opposing corner or edge. The male mechanical fastening tab with the fibrous web creates a secure non-rotational attachment using a single fastening tab.

Abstract: An ostomy bag having a liquid-gas separation device includes a separator disposed within a flexible film pouch used as an ostomy bag. The separator is made of an absorbent material to collect liquids and separate these components from any gas entering the ostomy bag through the stomal opening thereof. The separator is spaced from a filter incorporated in the ostomy bag to further enhance gas-liquid separation. The separator may be disposed in the bag in an attached or unattached configuration. A perforated wall may be included within the flexible film pouch to minimize clogging of the separator by solids so as to improve and gas-liquid separation. An absorbent pad covers the filter to absorb any fluid surging over the separation and flowing through the filter.

Abstract: A prosthesis has a ceramic part to cooperate with a spherical head. This ceramic part is a ring whose inside surface is part of a sphere. The prosthesis is suitable for coxofemoral joints.

Abstract: An artificial kidney system comprises an artificial kidney forming container having an inlet blood port connectable with a patient's artery and an outlet blood port connectable with a patient's vein so that blood from the patient's artery can flow through the inlet port into the container, then through an inner space of the container and then through the outlet blood port into the patient's vein, the inner space of the container being filled with an adsorbent for removing harmful and toxic compounds from a stream of blood flowing in the inner space from the inlet blood port to the outlet blood port, the container being provided with a separate chamber formed inside the inner space and limited by a semi-permeable polymeric ultrafiltration-type membrane which allows water and dissolved small molecules to be transported from blood into the chamber, and suction element connectable with the separate chamber so that the water and the dissolved small molecules are transported from blood into the separate chamber and

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment comprises a pair of elastic side sections, front and back sections, and a continuous, selectively elasticized waistband operatively joined thereto. The waistband does not substantially inhibit the elasticity of the elastic side sections, and provides the same or different elasticity to the front and back sections.

Abstract: A implant for cranioplasty made of porous high density polyethylene is provided. The implant has a smooth upper surface and a lower surface characterized by a plurality of conical extensions. The implant is flexible so that it can conform to the contour of the cranium and can be cut with a scalpel or surgical scissors or bone cutters. The shape of the implant allows a surgeon to easily adapt the implant to fit into cranial defects such as those caused by harvesting bone grafts.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong, and imparting an azimuthal angle to the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a lateral width, a longitudinal length, longitudinally extending side margins, a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion, and an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article comprises a backsheet layer and an absorbent retention portion superposed on the backsheet layer. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is superposed on the retention portion to sandwich the retention portion between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. An elasticizing means form elasticized gathers at leg opening portions of the article. The elasticizing means include a front set of laterally opposed, longitudinally extending leg elastic members located in the article side margins in at least the intermediate portion of the article. The front elastic members are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the article length and have a selected offset toward the front waistband portion of the article.

Abstract: A fluid shield for retarding the spraying and lateral leakage of body fluids from a pressurized anatomical structure includes a transparent flexible shield body terminating in a rim which defines an opening to the interior of the shield body. The rim is adapted to securely engage various body contours surrounding the structure so as to align the opening with the structure. The rim can be secured by adhesives or by manual pressure. The shield body can be penetrable by a surgical instrument for incising the structure, and fluids released from the ruptured structure are captured by the shield body for subsequent disposal. The shield body can be conveniently stored in a compressed stack disposed in a dispensing container. The outer surface of the rim can be textured to pull the next lower fluid shield of the compressed stack partially out of the dispensing container for subsequent removal.

Abstract: A bodyside cover for an absorbent article is disclosed which includes two different materials to provide enhanced functionality. The bicomponent cover includes an apertured first material, which is positioned along the longitudinal central axis of the absorbent article, and a nonperforated second material secured to at least a portion of the first material. The first material has a rewet value which is less than, or equal to, the rewet value of the second material while the second material is softer than the first material. The first material is positioned below the principal point of fluid discharge and represents the primary fluid-receiving region of the cover. The second material is situated away from the principal point of fluid discharge and represents the secondary fluid-receiving region of the cover.

Abstract: A vocal cord medialization prosthesis includes a preformed and presized vocal cord engagement member. The engagement member has a base surface and an engagement surface that is inclined a predetermined amount with respect to the base surface. Measurement indicia is provided on the engagement member to indicate elevation of the engagement surface at predetermined points along the prosthesis. A vocal cord medialization tool is used to measure displacement of a vocal cord to an optimum phonation and breathing position before insertion of the prosthesis. The medialization tool provides measurements that correspond to sizing indicia on the prosthesis. The prosthesis can thus be trimmed to eliminate elevations that are unnecessary for obtaining optimum positioning of a vocal cord. One embodiment of the medialization tool also includes provision for measuring the thickness of a thyroid cartilage.

Abstract: A disposable training pant is provided with a mechanical fastening tab permanently sealed to a fibrous web in the side panel portion at a first end. The second end of the mechanical fastening tab is free to adhere to the same or another fibrous web for adjustment of fit and disposability. The first end of the mechanical fastening tab is heat sealed, interlocking the male mechanical fastening element to the fibers of the fibrous web.

Abstract: Absorbent structures having a fluid acquisition/distribution layer with an average dry density of less than about 0.30 g/cc, an average density upon wetting with 1.0%, NaCl aqueous solution of less than about 0.20 g/cc, and an average dry basis weight from about 0.001 to about 0.10 g/cm.sup.2 ; and a fluid storage layer positioned beneath the acquisition/distribution layer comprising at least about 15% superabsorbent material. The fluid acquisition/distribution layer comprises from about 50% to 100% chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers and from 0% to about 50% binding means.

Abstract: An improved male incontinence comprises a condom located within a hollow tubular applicator open at both ends, in which a strip of tape having a medical grade adhesive on one surface and a release layer strip on the other surface is arranged in a helically wound configuration within the condom with the adhesive engaging the inner surface of the condom and the release layer strip located radially inwardly of the adhesive, there being a pull-cord or equivalent attached to a free end of the release layer strip so that upon removal thereof, the adhesive is exposed and can be brought into contact with the penis of the wearer in order to securely attach the device.

Abstract: The ostomy device includes a waste collection pouch and an adhesive faceplate adapted to mount the pouch to the body, adjacent the stoma. To attach the pouch to the faceplate, coupling rings, mounted respectively on each part, are aligned and snapped together. A hook member provided on the vertical centerline of the faceplate has a planar top surface which cooperates with a laterally extending elongated element located on the vertical centerline of the pouch to allow the pouch to swing to a position where the couplng rings are aligned to facilitate coupling of the rings. The hook may also have a mechanism to lock the pouch element, acting as an auxilary connection.

Abstract: There are disclosed a container and a method of aspirating body liquids, that allow controlled capillary attraction to hold the liquid in place for storage, but not so tightly that the liquid cannot be aspirated away. A mass of compatible porous material is used in the container and comprises fibers with a controlled capillary attraction that supports a column of water that is between about 2 mm and about 60 mm in height.