Abstract: Disclosed are wound dressings comprising an absorbent pad for receiving and retaining wound fluids sandwiched between first and second outer sheet materials, the first sheet material for placement on the wound being a perforated non-adherent film for preventing the dressing from sticking to the wound, the second sheet material being characterized as being bacteria-impermeable, the absorbent pad being a multilayer structure comprising an inner layer of a low density absorbent material for receiving fluids diffusing to the dressing from the wound and an overlying layer of a high density absorbent material for receiving and retaining wound fluids diffusing through the inner layer in order to inhibit skin maceration due to the wetness of the surface area of the absorbent pad adjacent the wound.

Abstract: Improved thermoplastic adhesive liquid coatings adapted for use as a primer coating for inground pipelines, which coatings include an amphipathic metal complexing reagent in an amount effective to provide protection against cathodic disbondment, the improvement being the bonding to the thermoplastic moiety of an anhydride in an amount sufficient to provide still further protection against degradative environmental forces; and novel protective pipewrap systems including same.

Abstract: The invention features a fluid drainage element which includes a housing having integral front and side walls and a back wall adapted to fit in fluid communication with a urine collection bag, the walls defining a chamber in the housing. The housing also contains a tubular section integral with the front wall, the tubular section including an inner wall defining a lumen which is in fluid communication with the chamber. The inner wall includes one or more ribs arranged circumferentially and shaped so as to maximize the cross-sectional area of the inner wall, act as an integral tubing stop, and additionally to promote capillary flow of fluid through the tubular section and into the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for administering epidural anesthesia utilizing an epidural catheter permanently secured at its proximal end to an adapter for putting the catheter in fluid communication with a source of liquid anesthesia. The system employs a splittable needle for inserting the catheter into the peridural space.

Abstract: A therapeutic stocking for applying compressive force to the wearer's leg having an integrally knit anti-slip feature on the foot portion. The anti-slip feature being knit of bare and covered elastomeric yarns. The anti-slip feature further having an instep portion and a sole portion having greater frictional characteristics than the instep portion. The sole portion being knit in a repeating pattern having courses of knit and float stitches of a covered elastomeric yarn and jersey courses of a bare elastomeric yarn. The bare elastomeric yarn being substantially on the exterior surface of the sole portion yielding a friction surface which is located to contact the floor beneath the wearer's foot and minimize slippage thereon.

Abstract: The invention features a needle defining a flowpath, a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal inner seat leading to and defining a lumen, and a viscous material contained within the housing. The needle is slidable through the housing and the viscous material contained therein. The viscous material is fluid enough for the needle to slide therethrough, yet semi-solid enough to conform to the housing distal inner seat so as to form a seal thereat and prevent flow of fluid or air through the lumen.

Abstract: A conformable adhesive tape comprising a chlorinated polymeric backing carrying on one surface thereof a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, the backing layer being crosslinked whereby the backing layer is characterized as being high temperature resistant, the backing layer further being characterized as being conformable at high temperature; the adhesive layer also being crosslinked whereby to substantially increase its resistance to shear at high temperature; and a process for making same.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved metal foil tapes meeting Underwriter Laboratories (UL) requirements and specifications for use with rigid fiberglass air ducts, the tapes having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer consisting essentially of the crosslinked copolymer of operative amounts of: (1) ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid containing 3-6 carbon atoms within the range of 2-15 parts by weight of total polymer; and (2) acrylic and/or methacrylic acid ester of a non-tertiary alcohol having 1-14 carbon atoms within the range of 85-98 parts by weight of total polymer.

Abstract: The invention features a needle and a housing having a proximal inner surface and a distal inner seat leading to and defining a lumen, wherein the needle is slidable through the housing to occupy the lumen. The housing contains and is cooperable with a valve shaped so as to sealably fit against the housing distal inner seat, the valve including a hole alignable with the lumen. When the needle slidably occupies the housing, the valve hole, and the lumen, the valve is prevented from sealably fitting against the housing distal inner seat. The housing also contains an outward biasing means biased against the valve. Upon removal of the needle from the housing, the outward biasing means urges the valve sealably against the housing distal inner seat so as to prevent flow of fluid or air through the lumen.

Abstract: The invention features a low friction syringe which includes a plastic barrel having a circumferential inner surface defining a chamber, a plastic plunger having a distal end received in the barrel chamber, and an elastomeric gasket positioned at the distal end of the plunger and received in the barrel chamber. The gasket comprises a body with forward and rearward ends and first and second annular flanges positioned circumferentially at the forward and rearward ends of the body. The forward flange permits injection to occur. The rearward flange permits aspiration to occur. The flanges are separated by an annular space intermediate the body portion and the barrel inner surface. The gasket also includes an annular projection extending from each flange.

Abstract: The invention features an aspirating syringe which includes a plastic syringe barrel having an exterior wall and an inner surface, and leading and trailing ends. The inner surface and ends define a hollow interior chamber and a predetermined volume. The leading end of the barrel has an opening extending through a hub and the trailing end terminates at an outer rim. The syringe also includes a plastic plunger slidingly operative in the barrel. The leading, i.e., sealing, end of the plunger helps to define the hollow interior chamber and the predetermined volume. The plunger extends longitudinally within and beyond the barrel trailing end and is movable in the barrel inwardly toward the leading end and outwardly away from the leading end, thereby varying the predetermined volume of and pressure within the barrel interior chamber. The plunger also has a sealing end receivable inside the barrel to substantially seal the hollow interior chamber and a thumb-receiving end outside the barrel.

Abstract: An eight ply surgical wrap used for wrapping over and around a bandage to secure it in place, after it has been applied to a patients limb. The surgical wrap is formed from a single ply gauze fabric which is first bleached and washed, then folded into a four ply and then the fabric is overfed into a hot bath which agitates the fabric to make the yarns absorbent, fluffy, and elastic. The fabric is then passed through embossing rolls. The hot bath and the embossing roll causes the yarns to distort into an oblique and serpentine arrangement. The four ply fabric is then folded in a series of folds to create an eight ply fabric, that is highly absorbent, and because of the manner in which the fabric is folded, the surgical wrap is free of exposed selvege edges eliminating any chance of the selvege edges forming or causing a binding effect in the wrap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a urodynamic catheter having a fill lumen for filling the bladder with liquid; at least a first pressure-sensing lumen having an opening adapted for being positioned within the bladder for obtaining pressure readings of the bladder; and preferably also a second pressure-sensing lumen having an opening adapted for being positioned within the urethra while the opening of the first pressure-sensing lumen is within the bladder, the opening in the urethra being for obtaining pressure readings of the urethra.Each pressure-sensing lumen has a radio-opaque element fixedly seated therewithin in close proximity to and distal to the opening in the lumen for determining proper placement of the catheter within the patient.

Abstract: The invention includes a dual lumen catheter which is a unitary, elongated, flexible catheter tube that is substantially circular in cross-section. The catheter tube has an outer wall member forming a tube having a proximal end and a distal end portion adapted for insertion within a vein or artery of a patient. The outer wall member defines first and second coaxial lumens that are separated by an inner common support wall which is substantially circular and joins the outer wall. The first lumen extends longitudinally between the opposed distal and proximal ends of the catheter tube and terminates coextensive with the distal end portion of the catheter tube. The second lumen extends longitudinally from the proximal end of the catheter tube and terminates proximal to the distal end portion of the catheter tube. The second lumen is crescent-shaped in cross-section and substantially surrounds the first lumen. The cross-sectional areas of the first and second lumens are approximately equal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter package and delivery system which is directed to the problem of the catheter, or any position of it, inadvertently tumbling out on withdrawal from its package for use and accidentally contacting a nonsterile surface. The catheter is packaged in a coiled manner such that the distal tip is removable through a first hole in the package and the catheter may then be uncoiled and ultimately removed through a second hole in the package as the catheter is threaded through a needle for introduction into the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual lumen catheter for insertion within a blood vessel of a patient. The dual lumen catheter has an elongated flexible tube with three conduits contained therein. The first and second conduits are connected together by an opening in the common wall therebetween, which opening extends through the wall of the catheter tube. The third passageway forms a second lumen. Each of the lumens has means adapted for placement of the lumen in fluid communication with a source of liquid to be administered to the patient through the catheter, to means for withdrawing a blood sample or to means for monitoring blood pressure.