Abstract: A temporary colostomy apparatus for diverting the fecal stream and comprising an open ended excrement tube including a fecal receiving end having a liquid inflatible balloon on the outside thereof. A dissolvable and absorbable band is snugly wrapped around the outside of the colon at a preselected location. The tube is inserted inside the colon through a slit opening, so that the balloon is further inward but adjacent the band. The balloon is inflated so that the outer circular periphery thereof contacts the inside surface of the arrested colon and has a circumference slightly larger than the band. The inflated balloon and the band are in an abutting relationship with a common area of the colon sandwiched therebetween, to prevent outward movement of the tube. A retainer ring is positioned on the disposal end of the tube and pressed against the outside of the body to prevent inward movement of the tube.

Abstract: Methods and devices for collecting at least two separate samples of a body fluid (e.g., blood) simultaneously. The device is introduced into a body of a living being whose blood is to be analyzed at a preexisting accessible cavity of the body which at least temporarily contains blood of the living being. The device has an interior having first and second hollow retaining compartments capable of receiving and holding the blood which is present in the cavity when the entire device is introduced into and remains wholly within the cavity. After the device is removed from the body cavity, blood is removed from the first and second hollow retaining compartments, such that the blood can be simultaneously separately collected and prepared for subsequent separate an different analyses. The first and second hollow retaining compartments are adapted to collect blood having similar characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second retaining compartments each contain an absorbent medium such as a sponge.

Abstract: Laparoscopy organ retrieval apparatus and procedures are presented for minimum invasion surgery inclusive of laparoscopic nephrectomy, cholecystectomy and other organ dissection, morsellation removal from the abdomen through a keyhole incision. The apparatus and procedures permit the safe and total removal of an organ from a body cavity in a morsellated condition through the combination utilization of an entrapment envelope sheath. The entrapment envelope having an apparatus for opening and closing, the apparatus controlled from an exterior position of the body cavity wherein the entrapment envelope after entry of the sheath is extruded from the sheath which has been inserted through a laparoscopic port in place in a keyhole surgical opening. The entrapment envelope is constructed of flexible, relatively low bulk fluid impermeable materials having sufficient strength to contain morsellator entry, organ fragmentation and removal.

Abstract: A method for treating hermorrhoids comprises the steps of (a) inserting a rectal probe or removable suppository through a rectal orifice, (b) drawing water from the hemorrhoidal tissues into the probe, (c) maintaining the probe disposed at least partially in the rectal orifice during the step of drawing, (d) expanding the probe during the step of drawing so that a portion of the probe remains in substantial direct contact with the hemorrhoidal tissues upon shrinkage of the hemorrhoidal tissues during the step of drawing, and (e) removing the probe from the rectal orifice upon sufficient shrinkage of the hemorrhoidal tissues. The probe carries a hypertonic or hydroscopic solution and is provided along an outer surface with an elastic semi-permeable membrane, whereby water diffuses osmotically through the membrane into the probe upon proper disposition thereof.

Abstract: A stomal stop has a support which is substantially circular in cross section, one end of which is configured to be received within a stoma. The oppositely situated ends of the support are open such that material may pass therethrough. A bag is at least partially surrounded by the support such that material entering the stomal channel from said stoma is substantially deposited within the bag. A material which expands through the action of heat, fluid, or pressure is formed at least partly around the support for attaching the support to the stoma. A fluid-absorbing spongy material substantially surrounds at least a portion of the support and expands upon absorption of fluid to seal the stoma. A helical spring may optionally be disposed within the support body and tensioned by an insertion sleeve to permit passage of the support body into the stoma. Upon removal of the insertion sleeve the helical spring resiliently expands to frictionally hold the stomal channel within the stoma.

Abstract: Urethral blockage means for urinary incontinence has a centrally disposed member which may be either a solid rod or of a tubular configuration. A truncated spherical shell, fabricated of a flexible, resilient, silastic material of a predetermined stiffness and memory, depends from one end of the member. A plurality of elastic bands are uniformly spaced about and depend from the truncated end of said shell and connect to a centrally disposed, aperture-defining periphery of an insertion-limiting cap through which the member extends.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance is disclosed for selectively sealing a stoma. The appliance includes a central elongated relatively rigid tube having inner and outer end portions. A cap is support to the outer end portion of the tube and is adapted to engage the users skin when the tube is inserted in a stoma. A flexible extendable and collapsible bellows is mounted on the inner end of the tube for sealing the inside of the stoma when the appliance is inserted therein. A flexible rod insertable through the cap and tube for engagement with the bellows extends the bellows to collapse it for insertion in the stoma.

Abstract: An apparatus for use during examination of the colon of a patient includes an insertion member and a tube member. The insertion member, which occludes the opening into the colon, has first and second channels extending between inner and outer ends. The first channel receives a colonoscope, while the second channel receives the tube member. Seals are provided to prevent air leakage from inside of the colon out through the two channels. The tube member provides a conduit into the colon that is independent of the colonoscope. The tube member has an inside channel for receiving colonoscopic tools. There is an inflatable balloon at the inner end of the tube member, for blunting the tube member inner end. An inflation channel extending betwen the balloon and the tube member outer end allows the balloon to be remotely inflated. With the insertion member in place in the opening, the tube member is inserted into the colon, via the second channel.

Abstract: A breathable barrier which includes:A. a first layer which is a porous sheet having a first side and a second side; andB. a second layer joined to the first side of the first layer, which second layer is a continuous film of a polymeric latex material, in which:the film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; andthe film has an average thickness of from about 10 to about 250 microns;wherein the first layer side of the second layer is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers at the surface of the first side of the first layer, none of the pores at the surface of the first side of the first layer are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of the breathable barrier as a consequence of the comingling, and the breathable barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37.degree. C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 100 to about 2,200 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours and is impermeable to 0.

Abstract: At a fixing device for a stomy bag a counter-holding ring (2) is intended to be operated under a patient's outer skin (3) when the intestine (4) is sewed on. A tubular body (1), one end of which is provided with a flange (5) and to which the stomy bag (18) is intended to be connected and whose outer diameter will permit the body (1) to be moved through the counter-holding ring (2) with the flange (5) until contact with the outer skin (3), is provided with an outer peripheral portion (6) of an elastically ductile material and an annular cavity (7) arranged inside this and associated with the outside of the body (1) via a first channel (8).

Abstract: The rectal-stomal insert apparatus is used for occluding an opening in a patient's colon and preventing uncontrolled leakage during examination with a colonoscope. The apparatus includes an insertion member having an outer end, an inner end, and an exterior surface. The insertion member has an instrument channel and a separate and distinct suction channel each of which extends between the outer end and the inner end. The instrument channel is large enough to receive a colonoscope tube and is provided with a seal to seal around the colonoscope tube. An expandable occlusion member is coupled to the insertion member exterior surface. The occlusion member is made of a relatively soft material to sealingly engage and occlude the opening of the colon as the occlusion member is expanded. At the outer end of the suction channel is a longitudinal flange for receiving suction apparatus. A handle is provided at the outer end of the insertion member.

Abstract: Apparatus to remove an obstruction from a trachea airway comprising: a mouthpiece having a sealing lip surface extending around the periphery of a passageway extending therethrough the sealing surface being adapted to sealingly engage larynx surfaces to position a first end of said passageway in fluid communication with a trachea airway. A filter absorbs liquid flowing through the passageway to permit reduction of air pressure in the mouthpiece by suction of lifesaving personnel to draw an obstruction from the trachea airway of a patient to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis comprising a tube having an inner end securable deeply within an outwardly-open body opening and an outer end affixed to a mounting plate. The outer tube end may be everted upon a circumferentially positioned rigid ring, the thus enlarged tube end bearing against an orifice formed in the mounting plate. A forwardly-facing bore formed in the plate coaxial with the orifice is sized to snugly receive the enlarged end of the tube. A disclosed embodiment utilizes a pair of tubes coaxially joined within the bore of the plate, one tube end being everted upon a rigid supporting ring and the everted end being received within the open adjacent end of the outermost tube. The plate may have securing means for holding the outer tube in a sealed, folded back orientation.

Abstract: A device which permits the discharge of urine from cutanenous ureterostomies into the conventional collecting bags, comprising a hollow tube which can optionally divide over a part of its length into two substantially parallel branches a few mm apart, and a flange integral with the tube and adhesive on the face which is directed towards the patient body.

Abstract: An implant device having a passageway and an anchor means for establishing a biological anchor both formed from either pyrolitic carbon disposed or a graphite substrate or virneous carbon. The passageway having an inlet inclined with respect to the passageway outlet from between 45 and 75 degrees.

Abstract: A device insertable in the anal orifice of a patient for collecting excretions from the orifice comprises an excretion receiving tube with open and closed ends, a ring of resilient material fixed to the tube open end, and a thin, elongated flexible member. The flexible member has one end secured to the ring and extends exteriorly of the tube such that the device can be easily removed from the orifice in the patient by pulling the flexible member.

Abstract: An external catheterization device and technique is disclosed that provides for increased safety, comfort and mobility. The device is constructed from four major elements, an adhesive surface, a pliable stabilizer, a main body and an outlet tube. The adhesive surface covers the subject side of the stabilizer and surrounds the inlet to the main body of the catheter. The stabilizer is formed of a material conformable to the subject and aids in placing the catheter. The main body of the catheter is formed to carry urine and vaginal discharge which is received through the inlet, to the outlet tube at which conventional drainage devices are attachable. The catheterization technique necessary for utilizing the external catheter of the present requires cleansing the entire urogenital area applying a suitable protective dressing, and pressing the adhesive surface of the catheter into a leak resistent, sealing relationship with the subject's body.

Abstract: A method for collecting urine from a catheterized ambulatory patient. A flat urinary drainage bag is worn by the patient over the abdomen with the bag suspended from a waist-encircling belt. A urethral catheter has a proximal end communicating with the upper portion of the bag just below waist level and a distal end retained within the patient's bladder. A valve-equipped drain tube extends downwardly from the lower edge of the bag, the valve being manually operable for periodically draining the contents of the bag. An anti-reflux flap valve is disposed within the bag at the inlet thereof for preventing reverse-flow of fluid from the bag back into the catheter. Although the inlet for the bag is disposed above the distal end of the catheter when the device is worn by an ambulatory patient, intraperitoneal pressure on the bladder resulting from normal body actions nevertheless causes urine to flow from the bladder into the abdominal bag.

Abstract: A method and devices for the prevention of transmission of venereal diseases and non-gonococcal genital infection which includes methods, such as contraceptive and non-contraceptive creams, jellies, foams, etc., and/or methods involving mechanical birth control devices such as condoms and cervical caps and vaginal diaphragms incorporating medication receptacles functioning to release medication in the form of contraceptive and non-contraceptive creams, jellies, foams, etc. by seepage or wall breaching during intercourse to expose the genital organs involved in intercourse to the medication and thus prevent the transmission of disease organisms.

Abstract: A device reducing noise resulting from the emission of intestinal gas by persons who have undergone enterostomy.Basically, it comprises an oblong body made of an open-cell porous material and/or optionally provided with an absorbent material, such as activated charcoal, and sheathed in a casing made of a material that does ot adhere to the stoma walls, and the upstream and downstream portions of which each comprises at least one opening suited to allow passage of the intestinal gases emitted, and which can be connected to a collecting bag, or secured to the stoma of persons practising irrigation.Application to improving the comfort and the social rehabilitation of persons who have undergone enterostomy.