Abstract: A nonreinforced microfiber fabric is disclosed. The fabric has minimum grab tensile strength to weight ratio greater than 0.8N per gram per square meter and a minimum Elmendorf tear strength to weight ratio greater than 0.04N per gram per square meter. The fibers in the fabric have an average length greater than 10 centimeters and at least 80% of the fibers have a diameter of 7 microns or less. The fabric is made by thermally embossing a microfiber web which is made with a minimum of degradation to the polymer and employing high velocity secondary air to maintain air flow uniformity and fiber length.

Abstract: A collagen sausage casing having improved clarity and weeping properties and a method of making the casing is disclosed. The casing contains from 50 to 80% by weight of bovine collagen and from 20 to 50% by weight of an acidified brine extracted pork skin.

Abstract: A surgical drape for endourological procedures is disclosed. The drape has a plurality of tube holders on the surface of the drape, a fluid collection bag with strips to hold the bag open during the procedure, and a fenestration specifically adapted for endourological procedures.

Abstract: A surgical drape having arm board covers is disclosed. The arm board covers are formed in an arm board portion of the drape by cutting and folding the drape material so that it may be attached to the body portion of the drape along a single line of attachment. The drape may also provide leg covering elements integral with the body portion of the drape.

Abstract: A split sheet surgical drape is disclosed. The opening in the drape has a plastic border between one and six inches in width on both surfaces of the drape. The lower surface of the border is coated with adhesive. The plastic border provides better attachment of the drape to similar drapes when the drapes are in use.

Abstract: A disposable operating microscope drape with a replaceable lens cover is disclosed. The lens cover is in a housing which is constructed of a resilient, deformable foam material. The housing can be force fit around the objective lens of the microscope and contains a pocket into which a replaceable lens cover can be inserted to protect the objective lens of the microscope.

Abstract: A bilateral fenestrated drape folded in such a manner to eliminate the need for removable paper coverings over the fenestrations. The drape is fan folded in the longitudinal direction and then fan folded transversely to form two stacks of the folds with a bridging or central portion between the stacks. The bridging portion is folded to form flaps which are used to cover the fenestrations.

Abstract: An absorbable internal bone fixation device is disclosed. The device is made from a high molecular weight polymer of L(-)lactide having an inherent viscosity above 4.5. The polymer contains less than 2% unreacted monomer and is polymerized under conditions of selected monomer to catalyst ratios and temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus to make sausage links is disclosed. The apparatus employs a series of spaced apart forming arms to make the link end of the sausage. The length of the link is generally determined by the straight line distance between adjacent forming arms. The length of the sausage line to be made can be adjusted by moving the mid-portion of the link with a link length adjuster to increase the length of the stuffed casing between adjacent forming arms.

Abstract: A strand of sausage casing is closed at one end by an end closure formed by coating the inner surface of an end portion with adhesive and crimping opposite sides together to form a seal, a restricted air passage being left through the seal. The strand is preferably a shirred strand of a thin-walled collagen sausage casing, the adhesive being collagen hydrolysate and the seal being heated during the crimping. A method of, and apparatus for, end-closing a strand of sausage casing are described.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in cesarean section procedures is disclosed. The drape has a fluid collection bag secured to the lower surface of the drape to collect amniotic and other fluids released during the surgery. The fluid collection bag is maintained in an open position by a moldable strip at the opening of the bag. An adhesive at the opening of the bag seals the bag after use.

Abstract: A film dressing with a high moisture vapor transmission rate is disclosed. The film dressing has a release sheet attached to the dressing. There is a central region of the film, defined by perforation lines, which is applied to the patient. There are cut lines in the release sheet which are parallel to but spaced outside the perforations in the dressing to allow the release sheet to be removed, the adhesive portion of the film to be applied to the patient and the exterior portion of both the release sheet and the film to be removed.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition containing hydrogen peroxide is disclosed. The composition is non-corrosive to surgical instruments and contains 4%-7% hydrogen peroxide, 0.1% to 0.3% of a chelating agent, 0.1% of a water soluble zinc compound, 0.1% to 0.3% of a sodium cocoyl sarcosinate or is fatty acid-based analogs, an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of sodium n-decyl diphenylether disulfonate or sodium lauryl sulfate and a buffer system to maintain the pH of the composition in a pH range of from 4 to 6.

Abstract: A cast material comprising a filled crystalline polyurethane is disclosed. The filler is present in an amount of from 30% to 60% by weight composition. The filler comprises from 20% to 60% by weight of calcium metasilicate fibers and from 40.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. by weight of silica.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating sausage links is disclosed. The apparatus has a series of pairs of cutting arms mounted on a circular plate. The arms are moved into contact with the sausage links. As a pair of cutting arms contact the sausage links from opposite sides, they force the links away from the point of contact. There is a cutting element at the end of each arm which cuts the casing between the links when the arms overlap.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use on a patient's head is disclosed. The drape comprises a head sheet for placement on the patient's head and a main sheet for placement under the patient's head. The head sheet has one open end to be wrapped around the patient's head. The opposite end of the head sheet is closed. There are cuffs on both the main sheet and the head sheet for aseptically placing the drape on the patient.

Abstract: An elastomeric surgical glove with an improved ring rolled cuff and a method and apparatus to produce the cuff is disclosed. The ring rolled cuff comprises alternating tightly rolled segments with loosely rolled segments. The ring rolled cuff is made by contacting the uncured glove on the glove form with a plurality of rotating wheels while the wheels are moved on the form from the wrist end of the form toward the hand end of the form. The portions of the cuff in contact with the wheels are tightly rolled, and the remaining portions are loosely rolled.

Abstract: An improved disinfecting and sterilizing composition having low odor and irritation potential is disclosed. The composition is an aqueous solution containing a 2 to 6 carbon atom dialdehyde and may also contain formaldehyde and a diol or monosubstituted diol of the formula RO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH; where R is H or CH.sub.3 and n is an integer from 1 to about 22. Such compositions may be employed at a wide range of pH, from pH2 to pH9.

Abstract: An improved polyurethane orthopaedic cast bandage is disclosed. The bandage is a polyurethane prepolymer coated on an open-weave, fibrous substrate. The prepolymer contains dimorpholinodiethylether as a catalyst which gives the cast bandage increased shelf stability and excellent set time.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming or separating sausage links is disclosed. The apparatus has a series of pairs of forming arms mounted on a circular plate. The arms are moved into contact with the sausage casing at sequentially spaced points along the length of the casing. As a pair of forming arms contact the casing from opposite sides of the casing, they force the food emulsion within the casing away from the point of contact forming a link end. A stabilizer affixed to the forming arms guides the casing into the forming arms.