Abstract: Esters and amides of all-trans-retinoic acid are disclosed which are useful for the treatment of acne.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for treatment and control of excessively thickened, inflexible and scaly stratum corneum which often fissures into the dermis resulting in foci of bleeding and inflammation which are symptomatic of numerous altered skin conditions. More specifically, this invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous phase comprising water in which are dissolved one or more aliphatic alcohols selected from the group consisting of n-propanol and the monohydric aliphatic alcohols having from 4 to about 8 carbon atoms, preferably n-butanol, n-pentanol and n-hexanol, in combination with one or more organic acids selected from the group consisting of the saturated aliphatic, mono, di-and tri-carboxylic acids having from 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, including those acids which are substituted at either or both of the alpha and beta carbons with a hydroxyl or keto functionality. The composition is also an excellent vehicle for topically active drugs or other skin treating agents.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for topical treatment of cutaneous disorders or disruptions characterized by skin inflammation or hyperproliferative epidermal activity comprises the combination of a topically active anti-inflammatory corticosteroid and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent which is an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase selected from the group consisting of the hydratropic acid derivatives; acetylsalicylic acid; the pyrazolone derivatives; the fenamic acid derivatives; the aroyl-substituted pyrroles and the substituted arylacetohydroxamic acids in a pharmaceutically acceptable topical vehicle. Treatment of above cutaneous disorders may also be effected by concurrent therapy using separate applications of corticosteroid and non-steroid.

Abstract: A grounding electrode useful in electrosurgery and easily contoured to body surfaces which comprises a flexible, perforated metal sheet, the lower side of which is coated with a conductive adhesive and the upper side of which is adhesively secured to a fenestrated film, said fenestrated film being adhesively secured to an open cell polymeric foam, and a conductive snap or button for conducting an electrical current secured to said metal sheet and extending through said fenestrated film and said polymeric foam.Preferably, the metal sheet is aluminum foil, the conductive adhesive is a quaternary polymer and said open cell foam is polyurethane.

Abstract: A stoma adaptor comprising an open tube of non-toxic material, having a proximal end for insertion into the lumen of a body orifice at a stoma site; a distal end at which the rim is turned outwards to form an annular lip having a concave underside geometrically continuous with the rest of the tube whereby an open live intestine advanced over the tube from the proximal end will take up a similarly flared configuration for attachment to the external periphery of the orifice; means for securing an open intestine to the outer surface of the tube; means for securing the tube to the body wall; and means for attachment to the tube, at the distal end thereof, of a fluid-tight stoma closure.

Abstract: A stoma closure, to be secured to the stoma periphery by means of a flexible adhesive sheet, comprises an absorbent flexible closure plug such as a disposable tampon for insertion within the lumen of the stoma passage, and an abutment retained on the distal end of the plug by means embracing the distal end, for placement under the adhesive sheet. The abutment may for instance be a ferrule fixed or detachably locked on the end of the plug, or a disc wider than the plug and enveloped in the same covering as the plug.

Abstract: Hydrocolloidal dispersions of random interpolymer compositions that have a capacity for absorbing water in amounts of from 10 to 125 times their own weight or greater and are also bacteriostatic are prepared by the polymerization in aqueous medium of a mixture of monomers comprising (1) up to about 90% by weight of an ester of an .alpha.,.beta.-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol having a terminal quaternary ammonium group and (2) at least one .alpha.,.beta.-olefinically unsaturated comonomer in the presence of a crosslinking agent comprising a difunctional monomer derived from an .alpha.,.beta.-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The interpolymer compositions can be used for binding or coating nonwoven fabrics including paper to improve water absorbency, or cast into a structurally self-supporting film.

Abstract: An acne treatment gel composition, effective at low concentrations of tretinoin, is provided for topical application. The composition is highly effective in treating acne conditions and is capable of being stored without refrigeration for long periods of time without losing therapeutic effectiveness and while maintaining the uniformity and stability of the gel.

Abstract: A disposable, easy to handle, compact sheath and sheath package for medical instruments which includes a sheath in a shirred condition packaged within a hollow envelope and affixed thereto, the envelope being sealed to protect the cleanliness of the outside surface of the sheath contained within before use, with an entry end of the envelope capable of being penetrated by a medical instrument for insertion into the sheath and an exit end of the envelope capable of being penetrated by the sheath-covered instrument permitting use of that instrument.

Abstract: A zinc salt of retinoic acid has been prepared and found to have significant anti-acne activity, similar to that of retinoic acid, but with less of a tendency to cause flaking or irritation at anti-acne effective concentrations.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions are provided wherein there is obtained an enhancement of the activity of an antimicrobial agent exemplified by quaternary ammonium compounds, bisdiguanides, anti-fungal agents, phenols, hydroxydiphenyls, carbanilides, salicylanilides, organo-metallic antiseptics, antibiotics, halogens, organic halogen derivatives and iodophores derived from nonionic surface active agents and from polyvinylpyrrolidone by combining the antimicrobial agent with an effective amount of a potentiator.

Abstract: Esters and amides of all-trans-retinoic acid are disclosed which are useful for their ultraviolet (UV) absorption properties.

Abstract: X-ray detectable filament of elastomeric material for incorporation in a surgical dressing, including an X-ray opaque substance in sufficient proportions to render the filament detectable by X-rays, the filament incorporating throughout its length a continuous, preferably internal, reinforcing thread such as a textile yarn.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for topical treatment of cutaneous disorders or disruptions characterized by skin inflammation or hyperproliferative epidermal activity comprises the combination of a topically active anti-inflammatory corticosteroid and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent which is an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase selected from the group consisting of the hydratropic acid derivatives; acetylsalicylic acid; the pyrazolone derivatives; the fenamic acid derivatives; the aroyl-substituted pyrroles and the substituted arylacetohydroxamic acids in a pharmaceutically acceptable topical vehicle. Treatment of above cutaneous disorders may also be effected by concurrent therapy using separate applications of corticosteroid and non-steroid.

Abstract: A non-occlusive, non-adherent dressing for wounds, the dressing comprising an imperforate (i.e. continuous) flexible film for contacting the wound, and an absorbent pad backing the wound-contacting film and extending beyond a substantial portion of the periphery of the film, the dressing having vapor transport cavity approximating that of intact human skin. The absorbent pad removes wound exudate from the proximate area of the wound without the pad coming into contact with the open wound itself. The final construction, comprising the film and absorbent backing, permits a measurable amount of moisture vapor to be transmitted (greater than 0.06 mg/cm.sup.2 /hr), thereby greatly reducing the degree of maceration and other problems that may be produced by a fully occlusive dressing.

Abstract: A blood treatment apparatus having within a sealed housing a chamber for mixing oxygen and blood, a column of packed beads through which the mixture of oxygen and blood passes to cause oxygenation of the blood, a blood defoamer through which the oxygenated blood must pass, a reservoir into which the defoamed blood passes and a heat-exchanger which occupies a substantial portion of the lower region of the reservoir. The heat-exchanger comprises a stacked array of spirally wound coils being connected at each of its ends to a manifold which is external of the sealed housing. The configuration of the various components and of the walls of the sealed housing are such that the coils provide high heat-exchange effectiveness by optimizing the size and uniformity of the spacing between coils through which the blood must pass.