Abstract: A system for draining a wound including an elongated flexible catheter tube, an evacuated collection container and an adapter connecting the catheter tube to the container. The container has a pierceable stopper, and the adapter includes a projecting hollow needle and a pair of arcuate guide flanges disposed along opposite sides of the needle. As the adapter is moved into position on the container, the arcuate flanges move along the periphery of the stopper and the needle pierces the stopper. A graduated translucent protective tubular housing receives the container, the housing having arcuate internal surfaces frictionally engaging external surfaces of the guide flanges to retain the adapter in the housing. The adapter includes gripping portions extending beyond the housing and gaps exposing the stopper, so that the adapter may be removed from the container while the stopper is held in place.

Abstract: A method for bonding a layer of porous polymeric material to a rigid implantable portion of a prosthetic device, which includes the steps of (a) forming a substrate by coating the implantable portion with material which is chemically compatible with the porous polymeric material and which has a melt viscosity and/or melting temperature lower than that of the porous polymeric material, (b) covering the substrate with a porous polymeric material in powder form capable of forming said porous polymeric layer for forming a composite coating on the implantable portion, and (c) heating the substrate and porous polymeric material to a temperature high enough to cause the substrate material to flow into the adjacent pores and low enough so that the porous material will maintain its shape so that the porous layer will be bonded to the substrate and the outer pores will be open to accommodate tissue ingrowth, and an apparatus formed by said method.

Abstract: A porous thermoplastic sheet is formed by adding a material to a polymer latex to passivate the aqueous phase of the latex. An additional material of a preselected particle size, corresponding to the desired pore size of the final product is then added. The latex composition is gelled and is then formed into a sheet. The sheet is dried and cured or sintered and the solubles are extracted therefrom with a solvent. A preferred polymer latex is PTFE.

Abstract: A method for bonding a layer of porous polymeric material to a rigid implantable portion of a prosthetic device, which includes the steps of (a) forming a substrate by coating the implantable portion with material which is chemically compatible with the porous polymeric material and which has a melt viscosity and/or melting temperature lower than that of the porous polymeric material, (b) covering the substrate with a porous polymeric material in powder form capable of forming said porous polymeric layer for forming a composite coating on the implantable portion, and (c) heating the substrate and porous polymeric material to a temperature high enough to cause the substrate material to flow into the adjacent pores and low enough so that the porous material will maintain its shape so that the porous layer will be bonded to the substrate and the outer pores will be open to accommodate tissue ingrowth, and an apparatus formed by said method.

Abstract: A fibre bundle is first formed from loosely entangled fibres. Then, the fibre bundle is encased in a plastic shell and dipped into a solution of a synthetic resin in a solvent to fill the spaces among fibers with the solution. After taken out of said solution it is left to stand for a period of time during which the volatilization of the solvent forms a great number of capillary passages for the transudation of ink. After grinding a marking pen is obtained having a nib and an ink reservoir integral therewith.

Abstract: A fibre bundle is first formed from loosely entangled fibres. A sheath is formed over the fibre bundle and one end is dipped into an urethane prepolymer to fill the spaces among fibres with the urethane prepolymer. After removal from the prepolymer it is left to stand for a period of time during which the constituents in the urethane prepolymer react to form polyurethane and generate carbon dioxide gas which forms many capillary passages for the transudation of ink. By grinding the dipped end a marking pen is obtained having a nib and an ink reservoir integral therewith.

Abstract: The middle ear space is vented through the tympanic membrane by a piece of porous plastic material positioned to extend through the tympanic membrane. The pore size is in the range of 5 to 25 micrometers in diameter to effectively prevent water passage and permit tissue ingrowth a few pores deep from the tympanic membrane into the side walls of the vent. The vent is generally cylindrical in shape provided with a section of reduced cross-sectional area intermediate its ends, which section engages the tympanic membrane when the vent is in position.

Abstract: A fibre bundle is first formed of entangled fibres by use of a tapered mold of an extruder. Then, the fibre bundle thus formed is dipped into an urethane prepolymer to fill the spaces among fibres by impregnating it with said prepolymer. After removal from the liquid prepolymer, it is left for a period of time to allow the reactions among the constituents in the prepolymer and the volatilization of solvent generate gases to form gas escape holes or capillary passages along the length of the fibre bundle.

Abstract: A fiber bundle is first formed of entangled fibers by passing fibers through the tapered mole of an extruder, and then the fiber bundle is provided with at least one longitudinal groove which provides an air passage in the final product communication between the ink reservoir and the atmosphere. Subsequently, one end of the fiber bundle with the longitudinal groove is dipped into a liquid urethane prepolymer to form a nib portion by impregnating the dipped portion with the prepolymer. After removal from the liquid prepolymer it is left to stand. During this standing or setting period the reactions among the constituents of the prepolymer and the volatilization of solvent produce a set urethane nib portion having capillary passages therein, and an air passageway where the groove was formed. The fiber bundle thus produced which is called "core portion" of the pen, is machined at its impregnated end to form a nib. Thus, the product consists of a nib material portion and an ink reservoir integral therewith.

Abstract: An improved nozzle assembly for manually actuated foam generating and dispensing units in which a tapered bottle cap fitted at its interior end with a dip tube subassembly, is provided with a movable porous element which, upon discharge of foam from the dip tube subassembly, effects a further reduction in bubble size in the foam thereby to provide a stiffer and more consistent foam. The movable porous element floats in the nozzle between a position of seating against the tapered internal nozzle surfaces and a retracted position allowing air to return about the member back to the interior of the generating and dispensing unit.

Abstract: A writing nib for pens and marking implements having an elongated body of generally rectangular configuration and reinforced by layers of relatively rigid solid material laminated to opposite surfaces of a relatively soft wicking material. The nib is formed by continuously forming layers of the relatively rigid material on opposite surfaces of a strip of wicking material, shaping both edges of the laminated strip and severing the laminated strip transversely, the shaped edges of the laminated strip ultimately forming a writing tip at each end of the nib body at which the wicking material projects beyond the corresponding ends of the rigid material.

Abstract: A writing nib for pens and marking implements having an elongated body of generally rectangular configuration and reinforced by layers of relatively rigid solid material laminated to opposite surfaces of a relatively soft wicking material. The nib is formed by continuously forming layers of the relatively rigid material on opposite surfaces of a strip of wicking material, shaping both edges of the laminated strip and severing the laminated strip transversely, the shaped edges of the laminated strip ultimately forming a writing tip at each end of the nib body at which the wicking material projects beyond the corresponding ends of the rigid material.

Abstract: A foaming device for generating and dispensing foams formed by mixing air or other gas with a foamable liquid having a high solids content under pressures of a magnitude on the order of pressures developed by manual collapse of an elastomeric bottle. The device includes a continuous passageway extending from a point of submergence in liquid to be foamed through the gas to be mixed with the liquid to a discharge opening, that portion of the passageway located in the gas being formed of a porous tube by which gas under pressure will be introduced to liquid passing upwardly through the passageway under the same pressure and mixed therewith. A flow restriction in the form of a static mixer is located in the passageway at a point to be coextensive with or elevated above the level of the porous tube.

Abstract: Canine ear implant for strengthening the defective auricular cartilage of the canine ear is formed of a sheet of flexible porous polymeric material adapted in size and shape to be positioned adjacent to either side of the auricular cartilage. The polymeric material comprises a network of interconnected pores throughout its volume having an average pore diameter of between 20 .mu.m - 300 .mu.m, the average pore volume being at least 30%.

Abstract: A cap for covering the exposed end of an excised bone including a head adapted to abut the exposed end. The outer surface of the head is free from sharp corners, at least the portion of the head adjacent to the exposed bone end being interspersed with a network of interconnected pores adapted for human tissue to grow therein and anchor the cap to the bone. The cap further includes means for preventing the pores from communicating with the outer surface of the head.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a prosthetic device of the type that is a composite of a first material adapted to be strong enough to withstand the wear and stress exerted on the prosthetic device and a second material in the form of a coating fixed to the first material over a substantial portion of the outer surface of the prosthetic device that engages the bone to which the prosthetic device is attached. The coating is adapted to allow adjacent human tissue to grow therein. The improvement comprises the coating being at least 1 mm. thick and formed of a porous polymeric material that includes a network of interconnected pores throughout its volume. The average pore diameter of the coating ranges from 50 .mu.m - 300 .mu.m, the minimum pore volume being 30%.

Abstract: A foam generating and dispensing device in the form of a cap assembly adapted to be fitted to the mouth of a collapsible bottle formed of resilient material and in which the structural assembly of cap components is effected by an integral molded porous element of rigid polymeric material. A one-way valve is provided by a ball check seatable in a passage through the porous element to enable a rapid return of air to the bottle interior for recovery thereof after forceful collapse for the discharge of foam. In an alternative embodiment, the one-way valve is provided by an elastomeric sleeve circumscribing an interior extension of the discharge passage and overlying an aperture therein.

Abstract: A foam producing and dispensing device for use with a deformable bottle containing foamable liquid and air, the device including cap means adapted to be fixed to the bottle mouth and defining a discharge passage in communicating relation therewith, a mixing chamber with an inlet at its lower end in communication with a dip tube depending below the level of foamable liquid in the bottle, air inlet passage elevated above the level of liquid in the bottle, a check valve in the mixing chamber inlet, a foam homogenizing element in the outlet of the mixing chamber and means providing for a one-way return air inlet to the bottle after collapse thereof to force the foamable liquid and air into the mixing chamber and deliver foam from the discharge passage. The one-way valve control for the air return inlet passages is in the form of a simple elastomeric washer press fit over the exterior of the mixing chamber.