Abstract: A sponge counter bag comprising, a backing sheet of flexible material having a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The bag has a plurality of pockets progressively disposed on the front surface of the backing sheet intermediate said end edges, with the pockets comprising a flap of flexible material having a pair of side edges, a lower edge joined to the backing sheet, and an upper edge extending between said side edges, with the upper edge of the flap defining an opening intermediate the flap and backing sheet to receive sponges.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising, an elastomeric film permeable to water vapor and having adhesive on a front surface thereof. The dressing has a pair of release sheets extending to a central portion of the film to releasably cover the adhesive. The release sheets are treated throughout with a coating to permit release from the adhesive, with end margins only of the release sheets being additionally treated to more aggressively adhere to the adhesive than a central portion of the release sheets.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising entangled fibers. The sponge has an elongated radiopaque element in the sheet, with the fibers being entangled about the element to retain it in place in the sheet.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures to a patient's limb having a sleeve for placement on the patient's limb, with the sleeve having a plurality of chambers arranged longitudinally along the sleeve including a monitored chamber, a device responsive to a control signal for forming a fluid under pressure, a device for generating said control signal, a device for selecting a predetermined value of said control signal by the generating device to select a desired predetermined pressure by the forming device, a device for connecting the fluid from the forming device to the chambers of the sleeve, including the monitored chamber, a device for comparing the pressure of the monitored chamber with the desired predetermined pressure of the selecting device, and a device responsive to the comparing device for modifying said control signal of the generating device to control the forming device to form the desired predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An adapter comprising, an outer tube, and an inner tube defining a cavity between the inner and outer tube, with the inner tube having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. The adapter has a solid antiseptic agent in the cavity.

Abstract: An intubating airway having an elongated body comprising a lingual flat portion with a transversely disposed faceplate on one end. The other end comprises a curved surface which tapers to a narrow distal edge. A pair of flexible guide walls are upstanding from said flat lingual portion, to define a generally tubular guideway. Outwardly of the flexible walls are a pair of upstanding walls which attach to said faceplate, to provide a blocking arrangement for a patient's teeth, insuring protection for any medical instrument disposed within said flexible guide.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb comprising a stocking having circumferentially elastic boot portion which applies a compressive pressure against the limb which decreases from the ankle to a top of the stocking, an elongated pressure sleeve for enclosing a length of the patient's limb over the stocking, said sleeve having a plurality of separate fluid pressure chambers progressively arranged longitudinally along the sleeve from a lower portion of the limb to an upper portion of the limb proximal the patient's heart relative to said lower portion, a device for intermittently forming a plurality of fluid pressure pulses and a device for connecting the pressure pulses to chambers in the sleeve to apply a compressive pressure against the patient's limb by the sleeve which decreases from the lower to upper portions.

Abstract: Novel condoms containing a phosphorescent material which, when activated by actinic radiation, e.g. ultraviolet or visible light, will exhibit luminosity over a period of time following such exposure to actinic radiation.

Abstract: An absorbent dressing comprising, a transparent backing sheet having a relatively high water vapor permeability, a front sheet having a pressure sensitive adhesive on a front surface thereof for facing a wound with the front sheet and adhesive having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and an absorbent layer intermediate the front sheet and backing sheet having a plurality of openings in register with the apertures of the front sheet, with the openings of the layer being at least as large as the apertures of the front sheet.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising, a hollow body member having a cavity, a compression member received on one end of the body member and having an annular flange aligned with the cavity, a device for adjusting the position of the compression member relative to the body member, and a valve device for sealingly engaging against a catheter passing through the valve device, and responsive to compression by the compression member to immobilize the catheter in the valve device.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb having a sleeve for applying pressure against a length of a patient's limb, with the sleeve having a plurality of chambers arranged longitudinally along the sleeve. The device intermittently inflates the chambers, and intermittently connects the chambers to an exhaust system during which a base static pressure is established in the chambers.

Abstract: Method for treating leg wounds requiring both bandaging and the application of compressive pressure wherein a dressing is applied to cover the wound and an elastic stocking is put on to provide the compressive pressure; the improvement wherein a loosely knit stocking which easily slips on is first put on over the dressing and then the elastic stocking, the coefficient of friction between the stockings being relatively low, thereby greatly facilitating putting on the elastic stocking.

Abstract: A stepped needle comprising, a proximal hollow hub, a first elongated tubular portion extending from the hub of a first larger diameter, and a second elongated tubular end portion located distal the first tubular portion of a second smaller diameter.

Abstract: Novel system for providing lubricity to the surface of a nasogastric intubation device, which system comprises a substantially homogeneous mixture consisting essentially of: (1) an effective amount of an unsaturated higher fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms; and (2) a polymer compatible therewith.The mixture may be coated on the surface of the portion of the length of the tube assembly to be lubricated or, alternatively, the acid may be contained in the polymer mix employed in the manufacture of the tube assembly.When the acid-containing surface is contacted with an aqueous alkaline solution prior to intubation, the acid is converted to the corresponding lubricious soap.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising a plurality of layers of an open mesh gauze fabric having generally parallel woven spaced warp and filling yarns. The sheet has one or more spaced generally parallel tie-in yarns interwoven between the layers in at least one direction of the sheet, with a substantial number of the yarns in one layer generally parallel to the tie-in yarns being located intermediate the corresponding yarns in another layer of the sheet to define a staggered configuration of the sheet yarns, with the tie-in yarns limiting freedom of movement of the staggered woven yarns to retain them in place, and with the sheet being folded into a multiple ply configuration.

Abstract: An environmental absorbent dressing having, an absorbent layer comprising a hydrogel, and a front sheet comprising a film capable of permitting passage of liquid covering a front surface of the absorbent layer and coated on a front surface thereof with a porous adhesive.

Abstract: A point-of-use membrane filtration system and method for water or other liquids including an automatic control system for purge, rinse-up, sanitization, or combinations thereof. The system may be used for microfiltration, ultrafiltration or hyperfiltration (reverse osmosis) depending on the membrane pore size of the filtration cartridge employed in the system. A reject valve at the bottom of the filter cartridge is automatically opened when filtered product is drawn, thus to direct some water and any waste to drain. The control system is programmed to accomplish purge, rinse-up and sanitization procedures at predetermined intervals with predetermined combinations of procedures.

Abstract: A fluid sampling chamber assembly having a housing, a chamber within the housing for temporary storage of sample fluid and a pair of special sensor walls on opposite sides of the chamber for engagement by ultrasonic sensor probes. The sampling chamber is trough-shaped with an open top for both receipt and discharge of sample fluid. An inlet and outlet of the chamber housing are continuously open.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a limb compressible sleeve to permit the sequential distal to proximal compression of the limb, comprising fabricating a pair of elongated sheets, aligning them together, sealing chamber lines between the sheets, folding one end of the pair of sheets onto itself and sealing the longitudinal sides together to define as sheath into which a patient may insert a limb.