Abstract: A multi-layer article to protect a patient from laser radiation during surgery comprises two metallic layers sandwiching a flame-resistant, radiation absorbing layer. The facing surfaces of the metallic layers, adjoining the middle layer, are reflective. The top surface of the upper metallic layer has a non-reflective, flame-resistant coating. The radiation-absorbing layer is preferably a hydrogel. The lower metallic layer is preferably thicker than the upper layer and/or is of a metal that has a higher melting temperature than that of the upper layer. The article protects the patient by harmlessly dissipating the energy in a misdirected laser beam for a period of time that will permit a healthcare worker to take corrective action.

Abstract: A medical instrument sterilization container (10) is provided which includes a port (18). A removable filter (32) is received within port (18) to enable sterilization of instruments placed within container (10). A removable plug (48) replaces filter (32) to enable container (10) to be used to transport instruments without leaking of fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A process for making powder-free medical gloves that are nevertheless easy to don involves first forming a glove on a form by successively dip-coating layers of a coagulant containing acid-soluble powder dispersed throughout, an elastomer, and an antiblocking composition with particles distributed throughout. After curing the elastomer and applying a silicone coating, the glove is removed from the form and treated successively with acid, to dissolve the powder, and with bleach, to reduce blocking. Using this process, high quality natural rubber medical gloves can be produced.

Abstract: Sterile cover tube for the transducer and connection cable of a medical ultrasound unit, in particular for intracorporeal or intraoperative sonography. The cover tube consists of a plastic foil tube (10) whose one end (11) is closed and is at least as long as the transducer and a connection cable part. The plastic foil tube is arranged ready for use in a telescopic folding (14 to 20). The closed tube end (11) projects into the telescopic folding by a length which is smaller than the length of the remaining telescopic folding (15 to 20) overlying the closed end on the outside. The sterile covering of the ultrasound head and of the connection cable of the ultrasound unit requires only two people. The plastic foil tube is suitable for all sonographic ultrasound probes. Coupling agents can be introduced into the closed tube end without any problem.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing cellulose involves reacting the cellulose with a solution of nitrogen dioxide in a perfluorocarbon solvent. In preferred embodiments, the solvent has a boiling point in the range between about 30.degree. C. and 100.degree. C., the nitrogen dioxide concentration in the solution is in the range between about 2% and 12% by weight, and the reactants are maintained at a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. during a reaction time fo at least about 7 hours.

Abstract: Devices for collecting fluids from a patient are disclosed. The present invention includes a first sheet of liquid impervious material having an opening. The first sheet is attached to a bottom sheet of liquid impervious material having a fenestration for access to the patient. A bendable section disposed along the inner perimetric edge of the first sheet retain the edge in a particular defined shape, improving fluid collection and access. The bendable section preferably includes a wire covered by a pliable plastic material, which are encased by providing a second sheet of liquid impervious material and placing the bendable section between the first second sheets. The sheets are then preferably secured by heat sealing. In certain preferred embodiments adhesive is provided on the patient facing side of the fenestration section and drainage ports for transmitting fluids are affixed to the bottom sheet.

Abstract: A three-layer laminated material is particularly useful for surgical drape reinforcing panels. The material has a first outer layer of liquid impervious material, an intermediate layer of absorbent material, and a second outer layer of plastic webbing. The webbing layer, which is on top when a drape covers a recumbent person, reduces linting from the absorbent layer without substantially reducing absorbency. The webbing layer is secured to the absorbent layer by a cold cure adhesive. In preferred embodiments, one or both of the outer layers are corona-treated materials and the intermediate layer is a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A soft, bulky light weight fabric having good absorbency and suitable for use as a wound dressing is prepared from a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of parallel spaced apart ribs interconnected by loose fiber bundles extending between adjacent ribs. The ribs comprise high density, highly entangled masses of fibers and contain at least about 60 percent by weight of the fiber in the fabric. The fabric is napped in a direction perpendicular to the ribs to obtain the soft, bulky fabric without tearing or disrupting the integrity of the fabric.

Abstract: Oxidized cellulose material is neutralized, by contacting an acidic oxidized cellulose material with a water and alcohol solution of a basic salt of a weak organic acid, e.g. sodium acetate, to elevate the pH of the cellulosic material to between 5 and 8. The resulting neutralized product is storage stable and has therapeutic applications, including hemostasis and adhesion prevention. Furthermore, the neutralized product may be impregnated with acid-sensitive hemostatic agents, such as thrombin, to enhance its hemostatic properties, or with acid-sensitive adhesion-preventive agents, such as t-PA, to enhace its adhesion-prevention properties.

Abstract: A surgical eye cover for ophthalmological operations includes a first plastic film (10) to be applied to the face of a patient. The film has a window (11) cut in it to permit access to the patient's eye. A second, plastic film covers the window on the side away from the face. The second plastic film is made up of two cover flaps. Each flap is attached along one edge, generally parallel to each other, with the opposite, free edges directed toward each other, so that they overlap (20) over the window. The cover provides enhanced protection from contamination of the surgical site during eye surgery.

Abstract: A locking holder is disclosed which describes a pair of flanges separated by a transverse arm. The flanges are adapted to receive a syringe placed on either side of the arm. One of the flanges contains a channel. This channel is adapted to enclose the gripping ears on the syringe. Generally, the ears lock into the channel by rotating roughly a quarter-turn when placed in the channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides surgical gowns and other garments possessing the advantages of raglan sleeve construction in terms of comfort and freedom of movement, with improved manufacturing efficiency. The garment of the present inveniton provides a raglan sleeve divided into an upper portion and lower portion joined approximately in the area of the bicep. Waste is greatly reduced by creating a shoulder portion from material removed to form the arm openings in the body portion of the garment. The shoulder portion is attached to the body portion of the garment to form a raglan shoulder portion which extends to about the bicep of the wearer. A sheet of material is cut in a trapezoidal pattern to form a plurality of lower sleeve portions, each of which is attached to a shoulder portion. Gowns made in accordance with the present invention exhibit the flow and shoulder lines of a raglan sleeve construction while making efficient use of the fabric from which the gown is constructed.

Abstract: A flexible spray tip device is provides so that the user may bend and rigidly hold a spray tip at the end of a syringe. Alternately, the spray tip may be rotated around 360.degree., to provide orientation and angulation of the device while simultaneously attached to the syringe.

Abstract: Garments are constructed from two identical sleeve sections folded and joined to form an upper portion, which has a neck opening and sleeves, joined to a rectangular lower portion, which forms the body portion of the garment. The upper portion and the lower portion are joined together by a straight circumferential seam. The sleeve sections and the lateral edges of the lower portion are joined by a straight vertical seam. Preferably, the sleeve sections are folded so as to be overlapped and form a neck opening that is V-shaped. In a most preferred embodiment, the garment of the present invention is a scrub shirt. The present invention makes use of sleeve sections that are in the shape of quadrilateral sections with an arcuate portion cut therefrom. The patterns disclosed make efficient use of the material from which they are cut and require only straight seams when assembled. The present invention also discloses methods of constructing garments, such as scrub shirts, in accordance with the disclosed design.

Abstract: A connector that permits safe and convenient attachment of a wound drainage tube to a fluid reservoir includes a hollow penetrator whose one end is attachable to the drainage tube and whose other end is sharpened to permit it to pierce a penetrable plug that initially seals an inlet tube of the reservoir. The penetrator is covered with a stocking that initially prevents fluid from flowing out of the sharpened end. A protective skirt has one end attached to the penetrator. Its other end is open and permits the skirt to surround the inlet tube as the penetrator is moved toward the plug and then pierces the stocking and plug to permit fluid to flow from the drainage tube to the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides surgical gowns and other garments possessing the advantages of raglan sleeve construction in terms of comfort and freedom of movement, with improved manufacturing efficiency. The garment of the present invention provides a raglan sleeve divided into an upper portion and lower portion joined approximately in the area of the bicep. Waste is greatly reduced by creating a shoulder portion from material removed to form the arm openings in the body portion of the garment. The shoulder portion is attached to the body portion of the garment to form a raglan shoulder portion which extends to about the bicep of the wearer. A sheet of material is cut in a trapezoidal pattern to form a plurality of lower sleeve portions, each of which is attached to a shoulder portion. Gowns made in accordance with the present invention exhibit the flow and shoulder lines of a raglan sleeve construction while making efficient use of the fabric from which the gown is constructed.

Abstract: A soft, bulky light weight fabric having good absorbency and suitable for use as a wound dressing is prepared from a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of parallel spaced apart ribs interconnected by loose fiber bundles extending between adjacent ribs. The ribs comprise high density, highly entangled masses of fibers and contain at least about 60 percent by weight of the fiber in the fabric. The fabric is napped ina direction perpendicular to the ribs to obtain the soft, bulky fabric without tearing or disrupting the integrity of the fabric.

Abstract: Woven and nonwoven fabrics for use in surgical procedures are printed with a radiopaque polymeric composition which bonds to the surface of the fabric. The composition is applied in a visually distinctive pattern, or may assume the pattern of the underlying fabric. The polymeric composition is readily recognized in an X-ray image and provides an improved means for detecting a surgical sponge inadvertently left in a patient. Preferred compositions are latex or plastisols of a printable viscosity containing from 15 to 70% by weight BaSO.sub.4 having a particle size greater than about 5 microns.