Abstract: A patient identification bracelet is composed of a flexible strap and a clasp, the clasp being formed of thermoplastic material and having a base member fixed to one end portion of the strap and a hinged cover member projecting laterally from the strap when the clasp is open. Holding elements project from at least one of the opposable surfaces of the cover and base member for engaging and holding the opposite end portion of the strap when the clasp is closed, and a mating post and socket are provided for locking the clasp in its closed condition. The post and socket are constructed so that the clasp, if forced open, cannot be reclosed. A relatively weak portion of the strap, located between the end portion of the strap that is fixed to the clasp and the identification-receiving portion of the strap, and also located between the base and cover members when the clasp is closed, defines a break-away zone for the strap when pulling forces of predetermined magnitude are applied thereto.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer for an ostomy pouch, and the combination of such a wafer and pouch, in which the adhesive layer of the wafer is composed of a hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and is contoured to provide a relatively thick body portion surrounded by a relatively thin peripheral portion, are disclosed. The wafer has a stoma-receiving opening, and the adhesive layer is of developed shape so that most, if not all, of the relatively thick body portion is located immediately below and to the sides of the stoma-receiving opening. The relatively thin peripheral portion of the adhesive layer is preferably embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-top ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer, which is especially suitable for use as a faceplate for an ostomy appliance but may also be used as a wound dressing, has an adhesive layer of hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and a flexible backing layer extending over one surface of the adhesive layer. The opposite skin-contacting surface of the adhesive layer is embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-topped ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer for an ostomy pouch, and the combination of such a wafer and pouch, in which the adhesive layer of the wafer is composed of a hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and is contoured to provide a relatively thick body portion surrounded by a relatively thin peripheral portion, are disclosed. The wafer has a stoma-receiving opening, and the adhesive layer is of developed shape so that most, if not all, of the relatively thick body portion is located immediately below and to the sides of the stoma-receiving opening. The relatively thin peripheral portion of the adhesive layer is preferably embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-top ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: A flush-interval indicator for soluble, toilet bowl discardable pouches is disclosed for indicating to a user, once the pouch is discarded in a toilet bowl, when a sufficient flush-interval has elapsed so that, when the toilet is then flushed, the pouch will quickly disintegrate without obstructing or impeding the flow of water and waste material through the discharge lines of the system. The flush-interval indicator comprises optically-distinguishable indicia printed or otherwise affixed to a display surface of a pouch and normally concealed by a water-soluble opaque layer. The opaque layer may take the form of an external panel secured to the pouch, or a water-soluble layer of the pouch itself which includes pigment to render it opaque and shield the indicator from view. In an alternate construction, a water-soluble external cover is secured to the pouch and fibers from the cover are heat sealed into the pouch's display surface to form a flush indicator that is relatively unreadable when the cover is dry.

Abstract: A flushable ostomy pouch having side walls composed of pH-sensitive material capable of dissolving when exposed to an aqueous fluid having a pH substantially above or below a neutral pH level, and containing a quantity of pH-modifying material to initiate dissolution of the pouch when it is discarded in the water of a toilet bowl, is disclosed. The pouch includes a pair of side walls and an external membrane that extends along at least one of the side walls to define a pocket adjacent to that side wall. A quantity of pH-modifying material is contained in the pocket which, when exposed to a generally pH-neutral fluid entering the pocket, is capable of changing the pH of the fluid in the pocket to a level above or below the neutral pH level.

Abstract: A flush-interval indicator for soluble, toilet bowl discardable pouches is disclosed for indicating to a user, once the pouch is discarded in a toilet bowl, when a sufficient flush-interval has elapsed so that, when the toilet is then flushed, the pouch will quickly disintegrate without obstructing or impeding the flow of water and waste material through the discharge lines of the system. The flush-interval indicator comprises optically-distinguishable indicia printed or otherwise affixed to a display surface of a pouch and normally concealed by a water-soluble opaque layer. The opaque layer may take the form of an external panel secured to the pouch, or a water-soluble layer of the pouch itself which includes pigment to render it opaque and shield the indicator from view. In an alternate construction, a water-soluble external cover is secured to the pouch and fibers from the cover are heat sealed into the pouch's display surface to form a flush indicator that is relatively unreadable when the cover is dry.

Abstract: A retention device, particularly useful for drainage tubes and the like, having a pad for adhesive attachment to a patient's skin at the exit/entry site for a post-surgical drainage tube. The device includes a retainer body secured to the pad and provided with a strap to be looped and tightened about the drainage tube for immobilizing that tube. A passage in the body receives the free end of the strap and a latching mechanism prevents retraction of the strap unless the sides of the body are squeezed towards each other to alter the configuration of the body's side and top walls and cause lateral disengagement of a restraining pawl from the ratchet teeth of the strap.

Abstract: A retention device, particularly useful for drainage tubes and the like, having a pad for adhesive attachment to a patient's skin at the exit/entry site for a post-surgical drainage tube. The device includes a retainer body secured to the pad and provided with a strap to be looped and tightened about the drainage tube for immobilizing that tube. A passage in the body receives the free end of the strap and a latching mechanism prevents retraction of the strap unless a pair of side flanges of the body are squeezed towards each other to alter the configuration of the body's top wall and cause upward disengagement of a restraining pawl from the ratchet teeth of the strap. In one form of the invention, the strap is oriented horizontally and the passage is spaced well above the pad so that the horizontal plane of the passage substantially bisects the loop along its axis, thereby allowing portions of the loop to be located above and below the entrance to the passage.

Abstract: A device for releasably retaining a drainage tube in place at its site of exit from a patient's body. The device includes a resilient, adhesive pad for attachment to a patient's skin and a flexible plastic retainer secured to the upper surface of the pad, the retainer including a mounting plate having an enlarged recess extending inwardly from its periphery and a flexible strap formed integrally with the plate and extending outwardly through the recess and beyond the periphery of the plate. The strap is Y-shaped in configuration with its diverging arms secured to the plate at points disposed on opposite sides of an opening formed in an upstanding wall of the plate. The tongue portion of the Y-shaped strap may be reversely turned and inserted through that opening from the direction of the spaced arms. A latching member on the opposite side of the wall has depending teeth which are engagable with teeth on the reversely-turned strap to secure the strap about a drainage tube.

Abstract: A tube holding assembly particularly suitable for supporting a nasogastric feeding tube so that such a tube is not shifted accidentally out of position during use. The assembly includes a flexible nose pad adapted to be adhesively secured to a wearer's nose, a mounting pin projecting from a distal edge of the pad, and a pair of clamping jaws pivotally carried by the projecting end portion of the pin. The jaws have interdigitating tube-clamping plates disposed beneath the pin and a latching mechanism located in a readily viewable and accessible position above the pin.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic coupling especially useful in an anatomical thermal system between the pad means and control unit thereof, the hermaphroditic coupling including a pair of parallel lumens with the coupling being divided into two units having identical hermaphroditic, engageable ends and with releasable latch means connecting the two elements of the hermaphroditic coupling.

Abstract: As ostomy appliance having a collection pouch and a flexible faceplate, the faceplate including an outer ring of thin, microporous sheet material and an inner ring of flexible, thermoplastic film impervious to gases and body fluids. The outer microporous ring surrounds the inner ring so that their adjacent margins overlap and are sealed to each other. The faceplate also includes a barrier ring secured to the inner marginal portion of the microporous ring on the side opposite from the attachment of the impervious inner ring. A fluid-impervious annular seal is provided between the impervious inner ring and the barrier ring at a location radially inwardly from the microporous ring, thereby securing the parts together and isolating the inner margin of the microporous ring from contact by stomal fluids.

Abstract: An insulating, anti-kinking Y connector for arthroscopic surgery and method of making wherein two sections of resilient double lumen tubing each having a portion of an interconnecting bight removed therefrom, are interconnected in Y configuration.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance including a collection pouch, an adhesive faceplate for adherence to a patient, and a coupling ring assembly detachably connecting the pouch and faceplate together. The coupling ring assembly comprises a pair of flexible plastic latching rings capable of being connected together by axially-applied forces and a soft, deformable, sealing ring interposed between, and axially compressed by, opposing wall portions of the latching rings.

Abstract: A female urinary incontinence device including a periurethral cup having a neck portion with laterally outwardly facing adhesive surfaces for sealingly engaging the inwardly facing surfaces of the labia minora (also the labia majora) to provide an effectively sealed flow path for urinary outflow into a collection receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, a second adhesive zone is also provided along the rim of the cup for sealing engagement with the periurethral floor. A one-way valve and a vent are also included to prevent backflow, protect the adhesive seals, and provide vacuum relief even at low urinary flow rates.

Abstract: An external male catheter having an elastic sheath section and a receiving section connected together when the device is used as an external catheter but constructed to permit detachment of the receiving section, while retaining the sheath section in adhesive attachment to the wearer, to permit direct access to the urethral meatus for intermittent internal catherization.