Abstract: A laparoscopic applicator device for the selective directional application of one or more liquids to a surgical site is disclosed. The device comprises a handle with liquid inlets at one end, discrete channels within one or more tubes connecting with said inlet and exteding through said handle to a nozzle, and a dual injection shaft at the nozzle end for inserting the shaft and nozzle through a surgical trocar. The dual shaft comprises s rigid portion immediately adjacent the handle and a flexible portion near the nozzle tip. Means are provided, preferably within the handle, for the controlled articulation of the flexible shaft/nozzle assembly, thereby providing application of the liquids in a desired direction. The present invention is particularly useful in the application of surgical sealants, e.g., fibrin sealants. Methods of applying such components are also a part of the invention.

Abstract: A convex insert system for an ostomy appliance includes a convex insert and a mounting member on the inner wall of an annular coupling. When the convex insert is mounted on the mounting member, the appliance has a convex curvature which when properly positioned helps the patient's stomal to protrude.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices which provide enhanced mixing and application of two liquid components to form a biomaterial with minimized aerosols is achieved using air flow rates below about 1.25 liters/minute in combination with a ratio of air flow to total liquid flow of from about 150:1 up to about 1500:1. Preferably the air flow is below about 1 liter/minute and the ratio of air flow to total liquid flow is from about 200:1 to about 1200:1. The parameters are ideally suited for the spray application of components which form a surgical sealant, e.g., a fibrin sealant. Also a part of the present invention are novel application methods for biomaterial, e.g., surgical sealant, components at liquid flows below 1.9 ml/minute, novel methods involving the mixing of such components on the exit surface of a spray tip or nozzle, novel spray tips and biomaterial applicators and methods for making such applicators.

Abstract: A urine collection device, a band for retaining the device and a method for attaching a medical device to the wearer's body. A band has two tabs. Each tab has one end attached to the band and a free end for extending through a hole in the device and attaching to the band. The band with the device mounted to it can be retained on the wearer's body.

Abstract: A low overhead controller for microstepping a stepper motor and a low overhead method for microstepping a stepper motor. The reduction in overhead in system processor is accomplished by the control circuit which dynamically interpolates motor positions between steps commanded from the processor. Also, the reduction in overhead is accomplished by a microstepping method used to effect microstepping resolution control by employing a stored look-up table which gives a resolution value at a given speed according to a predetermined function.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to centrifuge and furthermore automatically handle a container (10) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from plasma. The container (10) comprises a cylindrical member (11) and a piston (25) displaceable therein and comprising a tubular piston rod (12), which extends through the top wall. The piston (25) divides the cylindrical member (11) into a first chamber positioned above said piston (25) between said piston and said top wall and a second chamber positioned below said piston (25). The apparatus comprises a supporting turntable (1) with means for releasably retaining the cylindrical member (11), said supporting turntable being connected to a first activating mechanism (5) for rotating the supporting turntable (1) with the container (10) about the central axis thereof. The apparatus comprises furthermore a rotatably journalled piston activating mechanism (13, 15, 16) adapted to activate the piston by means of a second activating means (21).

Abstract: A container for odorous material (in the present case an ostomy bag), consists of a front wall (10) and a rear wall (12) welded together around a peripheral seam (14). The walls are made of a plastics material through which odorous gas can permeate. The container carries or contains malodor counteractant material to counter, or mask, the odor. The malodor counteractant material may be provided in microencapsulated form, and coated (at 28) on the interior faces of the walls, or carried on an article (54) placed within the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a blood component, e.g., fibrin monomer, from blood or plasma comprises a container (110) with a reaction chamber for receiving the plasma, where said reaction chamber is defined by an outer wall and comprises means for supplying said reaction chamber with an agent for converting the fibrinogen content of the plasma into a non-cross-linked fibrin polymer. The apparatus comprises furthermore a device for centrifuging the reaction chamber with the plasma and said agent to a degree sufficient for separating the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer from the plasma, for depositing said polymer on the outer wall of the reaction chamber, and for expelling the remaining plasma from the reaction chamber. The container (110) comprises means for supplying the reaction chamber with a solvent for dissolving said non-cross-linked fibrin polymer.

Abstract: An adhesive composition or structure is proposed for use in skin application, e.g. drug delivery wound care, or for attaching devices to collect body waste to the wearer. The composition comprises (a) a polymer or mixture of polymers which act as a pressure-sensitive adhesive present in an amount 20-60 parts by weight of the adhesive composition; and (b) a water-swellable polymer present in an amount 20-80 parts by weight of the adhesive composition. The polymer is one which will absorb from 50 to 500 grams of pure water per 100 grams of water-swellable polymer.Additionally there may be present up to 30 parts by weight (of the adhesive composition) of a water-soluble polymer.The water-swellable polymer may be provided as a coating on non-water-soluble and non-water-swellable fibers which limit swelling of the coating to be radial of the fibers. By arranging or aligning the fibers, the direction of swelling of the composition or structure can be controlled.

Abstract: In a method of making high-absorbency articles for use in wound care, incontinence, ostomy applications, and other more varied uses, a loose high-absorbency powder is arranged between a pair of sheets. The sheets and powder are compressed in certain areas. Loose powder is extracted e.g. by vacuum or gravity, and by cutting and sealing, packet-like articles are produced.

Abstract: in a process of separating a liquid sample having phase portions of different densities by centrifugal separation, a phase separator container is employed. The phase separator container comprises a housing having concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a longitudinal axis and a top wall and further a piston body constituting a bottom wall of the housing. The piston body defines together with the outer cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall and the top wall, an annular chamber for receiving the liquid sample. The piston body is displaceable within the annular chamber for draining a phase portion separated from the liquid sample through a drain conduit means communicating with the annular chamber. The phase separation chamber further comprises a reaction chamber to which the phase portions exposed from the annular chamber is processed.

Abstract: A drainage bag (for example a urine collection bag) (10) includes a flexible outlet tube (16) and a pinch valve (18) for selectively pinching the tube closed. The pinch valve includes a pivotal valve member (22) on a first side of the bag, and a support member (20) on an opposite side of the bag. The valve member is pivotally supported on the first side by at least one projection (26) on the support member which projects through an aperture (24) in a web of the bag. During assembly, the support member (20) is firstly fitted to the bag with the projection (26) projecting through the aperture (34), and the valve member (22) is then fitted to the projection (26). In an alternative form, the support has two hook-shaped projections on either side of the outlet tube (16) to which a modified valve member is clipped.

Abstract: A tap (14) for a drainage bag (10) is provided which can be welded to the bag material with the tap in a ready-assembled condition. The tap includes an integral attachment portion (20) and a housing (18). An L-shaped tubular tap member (16) with a handle (30) is inserted in an aperture of the housing (18), and is rotatable in the aperture between a closed position in which the outlet (22) points upwardly, and an open position in which the outlet (22) points downwardly. In the closed position, a peripheral region (54) of the attachment portion (20) projects beyond the tap member (16) on all sides, to enable the assembled tap to be welded to the bag material.

Abstract: A water-closet disposable pouch (8) has a pull-away tab (20) secured to one wall (10) by a weld or bond (22). Pulling away the tab (20) tears open the pouch wall (10) along the weld or bond by tearing out material (30) from the weld, thus creating one or more gaps (28). The tab (20) may be V-shaped, and define a flap or hatch area (26) of the wall behind the tab (20) which is released when the tab (20) is torn away. Any gas trapped in the pouch can escape through the opening when the gas is placed in a WC. In an alternative form, a tear-out filament is secured to or within a wall of the pouch parallel to a direction of orientation of the plastics material.

Abstract: A tube coupling is shown, particularly but not exclusively intended for use in joining tubes which have medical and surgical uses. A coupling according to the invention may be used to connect an ostomy bag to a drainage tube, or to connect an incontinence urine collection device to a drainage tube, or to connect a drainage tube to a drainage bag, or a catheter to a drainage tube. A tube coupling has a male part and a female part. The former has a radially extending external peripheral rib near its free end. The female part is made in one piece and comprises a tubular shell of a relatively rigid plastics material provided with an annular internal recess. The recess has molded therein a hollow tubular member of a relatively soft plastics material. The female part has no loose parts to become detached, can be made inexpensively by a "two-shot" molding process, and provides extremely good security against leakage.

Abstract: The waste collection pouch has a wall adapted to be situated adjacent the body and a stoma receiving inlet. A collar may be affixed to the wall around the inlet and coated with an adhesive layer. An adhesive layer is provided directly on the pouch wall, either covering the entire surface of the wall or a section along the periphery, so as to affix the pouch wall directly to the body. The pouch may have an oval shape with its major axis adapted to extend laterally or may be circular. The bottom edge may be linear or include an inwardly indented section.

Abstract: An orifice coupling, e.g. an ostomy coupling, includes a first coupling part (10) securable to a second coupling part (20) by a springy split locking ring (30). The locking ring (30) is held captive on the first coupling member (10) by lugs (13) extending radially from outside the locking ring and which enable the locking ring (30) to engage the second coupling member (20) substantially continuously around the periphery of the second coupling member. The coupling can be released when the ends (26,27) of the locking ring (30) are manipulated to expand the ring. The locking ring (30) may be integrally moulded with the first coupling member, and folded into an operative position on the first coupling member.