Abstract: The ostomy pouch is formed of a flexible plastic material with a waste inlet opening and a gas outlet opening proximate the waste inlet opening. The gas outlet opening is of a configuration and size that resists entry of outside water into the pouch through the gas outlet opening. A filter aligned with the gas outlet opening is bonded at a peripheral zone surrounding the gas outlet opening, leaving an unbonded area that communicates with the gas outlet opening. A free face of the filter is gas impermeable. Gases within the pouch pass through an exposed, gas permeable peripheral edge of the filter toward the center and exit into the unbonded section for evacuation through the gas outlet opening.

Abstract: A method of making a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane includes the steps of perforating a film of linear low density polyethylene (or other suitable polyolefin) in such a way as to yield an array of holes each having an average diameter of approximately 350, microns and then solution coating the needled film with a porous polyurethane material having pores of a pore size of 1 to 10 microns.Such a film is advantageously embodied in an ileostomy bag, and is fixed to a bag wall thereof in a location to prevent faecal material contacting the bag filter, by a heat or RF welding operation by which the polyolefin is welded to the bag wall which carries the filter. In use, the polyurethane is exposed to the bag contents, and permits gases to pass but prevents any liquid reaching the filter.

Abstract: The ostomy bag includes a multi-stage filter system that provides contamination protection for a deodorizing filter in the system. The multi-stage filter system also includes a gas transmissible protection filter that is impassible to semi-liquid waste material. The protection filter is located in the ostomy bag to precede the deodorizing filter such that gaseous waste must pass through the protection filter before it passes through the deodorizing filter. In one embodiment of the invention wherein the ostomy bag has a single chamber, the protection filter is a two layer structure with different pore counts that overlay the deodorizing filter. In another embodiment of the invention wherein the ostomy bag has dual chambers, the protection filter, without overlaying the deodorizing filter, is disposed across the flow path of gaseous waste to the deodorizing filter such that any gaseous waste that reaches the deodorizing filter must flow through the protection filter.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a pad or dressing to an ostomy bag including a first member 10 of closed loop form for defining a stoma aperture therein, the first member having a formation which defines two opposed walls, 11, 12, and a second member 20 of closed loop form also defining a stoma aperture. The second member has a projection or wall 21 dimensioned and positioned to fit between and resiliently bear against at least one of the walls when the members are connected in such a way as to make sealing engagement with at least the said one wall. The first member is of channel formation seen in cross section and has an upstanding tapering rib 24 extending from the base of the channel and between its walls. The second member has a tapering groove, of substantially complementary shape to the rib, in that surface of the rib projection or wall 21 which faces towards the first member in the mutually coupled condition of the first and second members.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has first and second coupling elements. One has a flange carrying a wall upstanding therefrom, the free end of this wall having an inwardly or outwardly extending sealing and latching member. The other coupling element has an inner (second) annular wall surrounding a stomal orifice and, radially outwardly therefrom, a third annular wall. The second or the third annular wall carries a projection arranged to cooperate with the free end of the sealing and latching member. The inner or outer surface of the first annular wall as the case may be and a confronting surface of the second or the third annular wall are tapered in a complementary manner.

Abstract: The aspiration system with positive pressure includes a fluid flow network having a vacuum source at one end and a suction instrument at another end. Suction is regulated by a control valve that can be actuated by a foot pedal. Suction communication between the vacuum source and the suction instrument can be prevented by placing the control valve in the closed position. A positive pressure input device is included in the fluid flow network and is also actuatable by the foot pedal to provide an impulse of positive pressure at the suction instrument. The positive pressure impulse is provided when the aspiration process is being hindered by blockage of the suction inlet end of the suction instrument. A puff of positive pressure is used to expel material from the suction inlet end of the suction instrument. The use of a positive pressure impulse at the suction end of a suction instrument is also applicable to release material transported by the suction instrument from one location to another.

Abstract: An ostomy bag having a stomal aperture to receive a stoma in one wall of the bag and a gas venting aperture in the bag with a filter element covering the gas venting aperture, the bag including an intervening membrane disposed between the front rear walls of the bag and between the stomal aperture and the gas venting aperture. The intervening membrane is liquid impermeable and gas permeable and supports an adequate flow rate of gas for ostomy bag applications. The intervening membrane preferably comprises a polytetrafloroethylene, microporous semi-permeable membrane laminated to a thermoplastic film layer which is heat sealable to the walls of the bag.

Abstract: The sheath for endoscope includes a tubular sleeve portion and a lens cover portion at one end of the tubular sleeve portion. The lens cover portion is of a predetermined thickness that minimizes light reflection onto the field of view of the endoscope. The sheath thus provides optimum visual acuity when used with the endoscope. The lens cover portion can include an anti-fogging ingredient to minimize condensation or congregation of fluids during examination. In several embodiments of the invention the sheath is rigid and in other embodiments of the invention the sheath is flexible. In any of the embodiments the lens cover portion can be joined to the inside, outside or end of the tubular sleeve. The lens cover portion can be formed with a cap section that is oriented at a selected predetermined angle with respect to a central axis. The sheath can have one or more reduced diameter sections to prevent relative slippage between the sleeve and the barrel of the endoscope.

Abstract: A catheter holder has a pad of medical grade adhesive material having one surface for attachment to the skin of a wearer, and a pair of tapes secured to and extending from the other surface of the pad. A multiple use adhesive is placed on a surface of at least one tape which surface faces generally towards the other tape. With such an arrangement, the two tapes can be stuck together to enclose the catheter and at the same time the tape carrying the adhesive sticks to the adjacent wall of the catheter so preventing logitudinal movement of the catheter relative to the pad.

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 slide 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 radially of the tube but at substantially right angles to the plane in which the bag walls lie. Alternatively, after the tube is seam welded between the bag walls, the bag and tube combination is then placed between the blocks of a mold, each block having confronting recesses of a particular shape and molten plastics material is injected to fill these recesses. The injected material forms a collar which completely surrounds the tube.

Abstract: A catheter retainer is disclosed that includes an adhesive pad with projections. The catheter is secured to the pad by being tied to the projections.

Abstract: A vocal cord medialization prosthesis includes a preformed and presized vocal cord engagement member. The engagement member has a base surface and an engagement surface that is inclined a predetermined amount with respect to the base surface. Measurement indicia is provided on the engagement member to indicate elevation of the engagement surface at predetermined points along the prosthesis. A vocal cord medialization tool is used to measure displacement of a vocal cord to an optimum phonation and breathing position before insertion of the prosthesis. The medialization tool provides measurements that correspond to sizing indicia on the prosthesis. The prosthesis can thus be trimmed to eliminate elevations that are unnecessary for obtaining optimum positioning of a vocal cord. One embodiment of the medialization tool also includes provision for measuring the thickness of a thyroid cartilage.

Abstract: An ostomy bag coupling appliance has body side and bag side couplings each including a seal means. The bag side coupling includes one ring like member carrying the seal means associated with a locking ring which can be rotated relative to the member. The locking ring and the body side coupling have interengaging parts whereby upon relative rotational movement (about the axis of the coupling) these cooperating parts can be engaged and disengaged so locking together, or allowing to be released, as the case may be, the body side and bag side couplings.

Abstract: A catheter attachment device comprises a first pad of medical grade adhesive having one surface covered by a removable protective layer, a second surface covered by a plastics film, and, attached to the film, a second pad of medical grade adhesive. A surface of this second pad which faces away from the first pad is covered by a removable protective layer and has a plastics film on its other surface. The two plastics films are attached to each other over a central region substantially smaller in area than the areas of both the first and second pads.

Abstract: The tissue expander includes a shell with a base layer and an expansion layer that define an expansion chamber therebetween. A conduit or fill tube extends from the shell and is the sole source of communication with the expansion chamber. The base and expansion layers are thermoplastically joined together by a major seam and a minor seam. The major seam is substantially concealed within the expansion chamber whereas the minor seam defines a border portion of the expansion chamber and is not concealed. The tissue expander can be of any selected size and shape. The base layer can be made expandable along with the expansion layer or nonexpandable as desired.

Abstract: An endotracheal device for passing fluids into or out of the body includes a tube member with a laser reflective material in the form of a flexible sheath that is covered by a flexible non-metallic protective covering. The laser reflective material is preferably metallic and can be formed of aluminum, copper, silver or stainless steel. Flexibility of the laser reflective material is obtained by applying the sheath to the tube member in the form of a spiral or in a corrugated form. A protective covering is provided over the laser reflective material and is preferably formed of a polytetrafluoroethylene material. The protective covering, coating or tubular wrapping is applied in a manner which enables such covering to rupture or break when a laser beam strikes the tube. The area of breakage of the protective covering exposes the underlying laser reflective material thereby enabling the laser beam to be reflected away from the tubular member.

Abstract: The self-sealing tissue expander includes inner and outer layers of relatively nonflowable material and a median layer of flowable material. The median layer of flowable material which can include one or more sublayers of flowable material is under a predetermined compression imposed by the inner and outer layers due to a prestressing of the tissue expander shell during formation of the tissue expander. The self-sealing shell seals an opening in the shell wall following removal of an infusion needle. In all embodiments of the invention a needle stop member is provided to prevent the needle that accesses the fluid chamber from passing outwardly of the tissue expander. The need for a septum, a fluid conduit or a special fluid entry opening in the tissue expander shell is thus optional. The shell can also be made relatively more stretchable in some areas than in other areas.

Abstract: The female incontinence control device includes a conduit having inlet and outlet openings for receiving, conducting and discharging urinary fluid. The device also includes stabilizing structure for holding the conduit in its installed position relative to the urethra and bladder such that a drainage inlet opening can receive fluid from the bladder, and the outlet discharge opening is positioned outside the urethra. The conduit includes a manually actuatable drainage control valve adapted to be positioned outside the urethra. Manual actuation of the valve from a closed position to an open position is thus easily accomplished by manipulating an actuator member at a distal end portion of the conduit to selectively control urinary discharge from the conduit. The actuator member can be formed as an extension of a valve member or interconnected with the valve member through a flexible connecting link.

Abstract: An indwelling device for passing fluids into or out of the body includes an inflatable cuff for lodging the device within a body passage. The inflatable cuff is inflated with a fluid such as saline. Prior to the inflation process a dye dispersant material such as methylene blue is incorporated in dry form within the inflation cuff and/or within an inflation lumen which leads to the inflation cuff and/or within a pilot balloon which is accessed by a source of saline fluid. Thus, as the cuff is inflated with saline, the methylene blue dissolves and disperses in the saline enabling the saline to take on the color of the methylene blue dye. A buffer is combined with the methylene blue to enhance the dispersal of the dye in the saline. Potential piercing of the expanded cuff after it is filled with methylene blue provides a blue stain or leak that is easily recognized as a sign of damage to the cuff. Correction steps can thus be taken to repair or replace the endotracheal tube as soon as the leak is recognized.

Abstract: A biodegradable, biocompatible, resorbable infusion stent comprising a terpolymer of:(a) L(-)lactide,(b) glycolide, and(c) epsilon-caprolactone.This invention includes a method for treating ureteral obstructions or impairments by utilizing a biodegradable, biocompatible, resorbable infusion stent, and a method for controlling the speed of resorption of the stent.