Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of bacterial HAI. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential bacterial infection site and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of pathogenic bacteria at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods include utilization of recombinant bacteriophage to deliver to pathogenic bacteria a translatable genetic sequence encoding an optically detectable marker or an enzyme capable of producing an optically detectable marker. Upon detection of the optical signal produced by the marker, medical personnel may be alerted to the presence of pathogenic bacteria at the site of inquiry. Any bacterial causative agent of HAI may be detected according to disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential bacterial infection site. Disclosed devices may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of pathogenic bacteria at an early stage of a hospital acquired infection, thereby providing for earlier intervention. Disclosed methods utilize optical fibers to deliver an excitation signal to an area in which pathogenic bacteria may exist. In the presence of the excitation signal, bacterial pathogens may autofluoresce with a unique spectral signature. Upon generation of a fluorescent emission, an optically detectable emission signal may be transmitted to a detection/analysis device. Analysis of the characteristics of the emission signal produced in response to the excitation signal may be used to determine the presence or concentration of pathogens at the site of inquiry, following which real time information may be transmitted to medical personnel via a wireless transmission system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of hospital acquired infections. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to changes in the local environment due to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods utilize ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) to detect changes in ionic concentration at the site due to the presence of a pathogen, for instance at a surgical site. When a pathogen is present, the local ionic concentration, and hence the electrical characteristics of an ISFET may change, causing a detectable signal from the ISFET. An ISFET may be associated with a biological material such as an enzyme or a specific binding partner for an expression product of a pathogen to improve detection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of bacterial HAI. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential bacterial infection site and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of pathogenic bacteria at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods include utilization of recombinant bacteriophage to deliver to pathogenic bacteria a translatable genetic sequence encoding an optically detectable marker or an enzyme capable of producing an optically detectable marker. Upon detection of the optical signal produced by the marker, medical personnel may be alerted to the presence of pathogenic bacteria at the site of inquiry. Any bacterial causative agent of HAI may be detected according to disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of hospital acquired infections. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site or for periodic in vitro monitoring of tissue or fluid from a patient and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods utilize fluorophore pairs that optically interact with one another according to Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) mechanism. One member of the pair or a cofactor that interacts with an enzyme to form a member of the pair may be tethered to a device by a substrate that is specific for an enzyme expressed by a targeted pathogen. Upon interaction of the enzyme with the substrate, an optically detectable signal may be altered or initiated, detection of which may then provide information as to the existence of the pathogen at the site.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential bacterial infection site. Disclosed devices may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of pathogenic bacteria at an early stage of a hospital acquired infection, thereby providing for earlier intervention and improved recovery rates from bacterial infection. Disclosed methods utilize optical fibers to deliver an excitation signal to an area in which pathogenic bacteria may exist. In the presence of the excitation signal, bacterial pathogens may autofluoresce with a unique spectral signature. Upon generation of a fluorescent emission, an optically detectable emission signal may be transmitted to a detection/analysis device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of hospital acquired infections. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site or for periodic in vitro monitoring of tissue or fluid from a patient and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods utilize fluorophore pairs that optically interact with one another according to Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) mechanism. One member of the pair or a cofactor that interacts with an enzyme to form a member of the pair may be tethered to a device by a substrate that is specific for an enzyme expressed by a targeted pathogen. Upon interaction of the enzyme with the substrate, an optically detectable signal may be altered or initiated, detection of which may then provide information as to the existence of the pathogen at the site.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site. Disclosed devices may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of a hospital acquired infection, thereby providing for earlier intervention and improved recovery rates from bacterial infection. Disclosed methods utilize implantable devices for location at an in vivo site. The implantable device is held in conjunction with an optical fiber that detects and transmits an optically detectable signal generated in the presence of a pathogen. Upon generation of the emission, the optically detectable emission signal may be transmitted to a portable detection/analysis device. Analysis of the characteristics of the emission signal produced may be used to determine the presence or concentration of pathogens at the site of inquiry, following which real time information may be transmitted to medical personnel, for instance via a wireless transmission system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a personal care product including a wrapper having at least one free edge, an absorbent personal care article and a sensory cue providing indicia as to the location of the free edge. In one embodiment, the wrapper is a wrapper component and has a first panel, a back panel and a second panel, where the first panel is connected to the back panel and the second panel is connected to the back panel at an opposite end from where the first panel is connected to the back panel. The second panel having a free edge positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel has a first set of sensory attributes which terminate at the free edge of the second panel and the first panel has a second set of sensory attributes which are adjacent the free edge of the second panel. In the present invention, at least one attribute from the first set of sensory attributes or at least one attribute from the second set of attributes is different from attributes from the other set.

Abstract: A visually coordinated absorbent product includes a article component having a body side liner, a garment side outer cover and an absorbent core disposed between the body side liner and the garment side outer cover. The article component has at least a first and second visual characteristic, wherein the first visual characteristic is different than the second visual characteristic. The article component is disposed in a packaging component having at least the first and second visual characteristics. In one embodiment, the packaging component is an individual pouch sized and configured to hold a single, individual article component. In various embodiments, the visual characteristics can include color, embossment, printing, and/or side sealing.

Abstract: A disposable intralabial urinary incontinence article having a resilient and liquid impermeable exostructure captures bodily exudates. The exostructure has a top surface and an internal space adapted to receive fluids. At least a portion of the exostructure is a flange that rests at least partially outside the labia. The exostructure also has a neck extending from the top surface that at least partially occupies the vestibular region and rests proximate the vestibule floor. The neck has a fluid receiving opening which is in communication with the internal space. The neck is configured so the fluid receiving opening is positioned generally adjacent the urethral meatus to direct urine into the internal space. The internal space may include an absorbent and the article may include a clitoral guide to aid positioning of the article within the vestibule.

Abstract: An individually wrapped absorbent article package includes an absorbent article placed in a wrapper material folded into a pouch. The pouch may have an opening flap. The wrapper material includes a nonwoven material in at least a border region thereof such that upon the wrapper material being folded into the pouch, portions of the border region of nonwoven material are facing and define a seal zone along sides of the pouch. A frangible seal is formed in the seal zone between the facing borders of nonwoven material. The seal has a seal strength of between about 20 grams-force and about 60 grams-force and an opening noise level of less than about 60 db.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an absorbent structure sized and configured for insertion at least partially within the vestibule of a female wearer. The absorbent structure has a saturation capacity as determined by a Saturation Capacity and Retention Capacity Test of at least about 15 grams/gram, a retention capacity as determined by the Saturation Capacity and Retention Capacity Test of at least about 3 grams/gram, and an intake time for a first insult of the absorbent structure as determined by an Intake and Rewet Test of no more than about 30 seconds.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aiding consumers in determining the proper size of an interlabial absorbent article product. At least one characteristic factor relating to a physical characteristic or trait of a wearer is correlated with a corresponding product size. The correlated data is arranged in a data format and made available to consumers prior to purchase of the absorbent article product.