Abstract: A drainage tap can be readily fixed in a face-to-face manner to the wall of a plastics drainage bag and is easily operated by a user. The tap has a body and a valve member therein, and the latter is held within the body by engagement of an external rib on the valve member in a slot which extends into a flange of the body.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance intended for attachment to a peristomal area of a wearer includes a pad of medical-grade skin-attachable adhesive material, a first coupling element secured thereto, the element having a medically-extending flange attached to a surface of the pad and an upstanding rib of closed loop form constructed to couple with a couterpart (second) coupling element on a bag or pouch. An inner chute member is located radially within and adjacent to the first coupling element, the chute member having a substantially cylindrical wall covering the whole of the radially inner surface of the first coupling element. At one of its ends, the chute has a radially outwardly extending flange positioned so that it traps the chute member in position when the two coupling elements are coupled together.

Abstract: An attachment assembly is disclosed for attaching an article such as a wound cover or a prosthesis to human skin. The article attached may be, for example, a cover or dressing over a wound or a fistula or other lesion, it may be an eye patch or a breast prosthesis for use after masectomy or it may be a pouch to cover the genital region. The attachment assembly comprises a body-attachable pad of skin-compatible adhesive material and a series of double-sided adhesive layers thereon, which layers are constructed and arranged to be manually peeled off one-by-one when desired in order to expose a fresh adhesive surface to which the article is then attached.

Abstract: An improved beam deflector having a first ball element attached to a second ball element with the first ball element mounted in a movable socket, movable about a single axis only through the first ball element. The second ball element is mounted in a fixed socket and is rotatable about a single axis only through the second ball element. The fixed socket is fixed to the housing of the beam deflector. Rotational movement is limited by the spacing between opposing flat surfaces of the movable and fixed sockets. The movable socket is remotely movable in response to movement of a control rod which is coupled to the movable socket through a universally movable third ball and socket arrangement.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance has four annular parts. The first part is attachable to the body of the wearer. It is also attachable to the third part by a second part which comprises a rotatable locking ring. The third part is attachable to the fourth part in a push fit manner and the ostomy bag is connected to the fourth part.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an ink formulation capable of monitoring steam, dry heat and ethylene oxide gas sterilization processes is disclosed. The formulation comprises selected substituted pyridenes, quinolines or isoquinolines as the active compound in combination with a nitrocellulose solution and a solvent.

Abstract: A penile clamp has a flexible member for encircling the shaft of the penis. It can be tightened around the penis. The arrangement and construction of the flexible member is such that such tightening causes a localized pressure to be applied to a central portion of the underside of the penile shaft.

Abstract: A synthetic plastic bag for containing liquids, e.g., urine, has a plastic outlet tube. It is manufactured by a first step of seam welding the tube between two superposed bag walls. In a subsequent step, an encircling sleeve is slid over the tube to a position where it contains within it the portions of the bag walls on either side of the tube. Thirdly, this sleeve is compressed onto the tube by a crimping operation conducted with the crimping force applied in a direction substantially parallel to the plane in which the bag walls lie. The tube may be part of a tap or other outlet fitting such as a push-pull tap.

Abstract: A releasable catheter retaining device is mounted on a pad of medical grade skin adhesive material. The device has a flange with a central hole, and a post extends from a surface of the flange opposite to the pad. An elongated tab extends from the post, there being a slot in the post for receiving the free end of the tab. With this arrangement, the tab can be passed through the slot after encircling a catheter which extends through the hole, in order to grip the catheter and to retain it in position.

Abstract: A urostomy appliance has one part which is attachable to the body of the wearer by a pad of medical grade adhesive. The pad has a central hole, and, on its side remote from the skin of the wearer, a coupling element. The first part above mentioned is constructed to co-operate with a second part consisting of a single piece of moulded plastics material. The second part includes a coupling element constructed for a snap fit or a push fit engagement with the first coupling element. Moreover, it has a cover wall in the shape of a dome and an outlet pipe.

Abstract: A bag 10 for containing liquids is formed by welding together two plastic sheets around their peripheries and includes a neck portion 11 for connection to an outlet. An outlet tube 13 is partially inserted into the neck portion leaving a part of the tube with an upstanding seal member 17 outside the neck portion. A sleeve 18 is passed over the neck portion and the sleeve is shrunk into place, urging the neck portion 11 into tight engagement with the outlet tube 13 and effecting a seal between the sleeve 18 and the seal member 17 on the outlet tube 13.

Abstract: Cultivation of a strain of the microorganism Micromonospora sp. A.T.C.C. No. 53481, yields the novel antibiotic substance glyphomicin, which is a mixture of glyphomicin A and glyphomicin B.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a reduced thickness hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. The first leg member has a concave inner surface and a hook portion at its distal end curved toward the second leg member. A ligating clip applying instrument for applying the clip has a pair of handles pivoted about a hinge point and extends beyond the hinge point to form a pair of clip closing jaws equipped with means for engaging bosses located on the sides of the first and second leg members.

Abstract: A three part ostomy coupling has a first part having a flange, a central chute and an array of space projections. A second part has a peripheral seal for engaging and surrounding the outer wall of the chute an outwardly projecting rim which can be snap fitted on the space projection. A third part is rotatable to effect a positive lock between the rim the projections, for example by deforming the projections inwardly.

Abstract: The guidewire gripping device is usable in connection with guidewires of the type used in medical application, i.e., for guiding catheters. The guidewire gripping device is constructed from a spring loaded, slitted cylindrical body.

Abstract: A biological test pack adapted for use in testing the efficacy of an ethylene oxide sterilization process is described. The test pack is a clear plastic tray containing an sterilization sensitive ink which has been imprinted on a card which faces out of the bottom of the plastic tray. In addition, the tray contains a plastic syringe which holds a biological indicator. On top of the plastic syringe, absorbent paper is placed. The entire pack has a Tyvek sheet which seals it until it is used. The plastic tray is molded into a shape for holding the various items in particularly desirable locations. Accordingly, a disposable test pack which is uniformly manufactured and which should yield consistent results, is described. It can be used either as a general purpose routine test pack or as a validation challenge test pack.