Abstract: A dressing for a wound of a patient having, a base sheet for contacting the skin of the patient, with the base sheet having an opening for placement over the wound. The dressing has a vent providing controlled leakage of fluid along a path from the wound through the opening of the base sheet.

Abstract: A wireless polymeric microcatheter having improved tensile strength; and the process for making same.

Abstract: Novel adhesives for preparing metal foil adhesive tapes meeting Underwriter Laboratories requirements for use with rigid fiberglass air ducts, which adhesives comprise a self- (internally) crosslinked copolymer of: (1) from about 1.5 to about 2.5 parts by weight of at least one activated ester-containing vinyl monomer of Formula I (as defined hereinafter); (2) from about 11 to about 14 parts by weight of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid containing 3-5 carbon atoms; (3) from about 70 to about 80 parts by weight of at least one acrylic or methacrylic acid ester of a non-tertiary alcohol having 1-14 carbon atoms; and (4) from about 6 to about 15 parts by weight of at least one vinyl ester of a saturated carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A drainage device comprising, a urine receptacle having walls define a chamber, an elastic tubular section having a lumen communicating with the chamber and a distal opening, and a device for simultaneously closing the lumen and covering the distal opening, and for simultaneously opening the lumen and uncovering the distal opening.

Abstract: Novel adhesive system for releasably fastening or securing superposed portions of a disposable diaper or other articles, comprising a sheet material carrying different adhesive layers on its respective surfaces, the adhesive layer on one side being characterized as having a high peel strength adapted for permanently securing the sheet material to a first portion of the diaper or other article of apparel, the adhesive layer on the other side comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive having appreciably less peel strength and being adapted for releasably engaging an opposed portion of said article in order to secure the article on the person.

Abstract: A placement device for a catheter and guide wire comprising, a valve assembly having a proximal end, a distal end for connection to the catheter, an elastic valve member having a least one slit and a slide member being slidably received in the valve assembly and being movable between a first position spaced from the valve member with the valve member being closed, and a second position engaged against the valve member with the valve member being open, with the slide member having a bore extending therethrough. The device has a valve opener having an elongated stem on an end of the opener with an outer diameter sufficiently small to be received in the bore of the slide member, with the stem having sufficient length to extend through the slide member and open the valve member with the valve opener extending through the valve member, and with the stem having a channel with an inner diameter sufficiently large to receive the guide wire.

Abstract: Novel processes for preparing a heat shrinkable film by first forming a polyolefinic film on a three-roll calender in which the second and third rolls rotate at about the same speed and the first roll rotates at a slower speed, the top roll is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the polyolefinic material, the middle roll is heated to an elevated temperature below its melting point, and the bottom roll is chilled relative thereto; thereafter subjecting one surface of the resulting film to irradiation from a low energy electron beam at a voltage such that the irradiation dose at the half-depth of the film is approximately one-half the dose at the irradiated surface and at a current to film surface speed ratio such that the surface dose would effect crosslinking sufficient to impart to said film a 100% modulus at 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising a base sheet having an opening for placement over the wound; a vent sheet providing controlled leakage of fluid along a path from the wound through the opening of the base sheet; and a chamber containing a fabric reservoir for receiving and retaining the wound fluid, the walls defining the chamber being constructed so as to provide a complete barrier to bacteria and other external contaminants while at the same time permitting egress of air from the voids or interstices of the fabric reservoir, so as to optimize the wicking and amount of wound fluid which can be retained in the volume provided by the fabric reservoir.

Abstract: A unitary adapter is disclosed for placing a catheter in fluid communication with a syringe or other source of liquid medication. The adapter has a catheter connector for releasably securing the proximal end of a catheter extending from a patient's body and a connector releasably engaging the liquid medication source, the connectors being attached to one another and movable between an open position for inserting the catheter end and a closed position for securing the catheter end within the connector.The adapter is designed to prevent accidental opening and the resulting falling out of the catheter when the connectors are in the closed position.

Abstract: A sponge counter bag comprising, a backing sheet of flexible material having a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The bag has a plurality of pockets progressively disposed on the front surface of the backing sheet intermediate said end edges, with the pockets comprising a flap of flexible material having a pair of side edges, a lower edge joined to the backing sheet, and an upper edge extending between said side edges, with the upper edge of the flap defining an opening intermediate the flap and backing sheet to receive sponges.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising, an elastomeric film permeable to water vapor and having adhesive on a front surface thereof. The dressing has a pair of release sheets extending to a central portion of the film to releasably cover the adhesive. The release sheets are treated throughout with a coating to permit release from the adhesive, with end margins only of the release sheets being additionally treated to more aggressively adhere to the adhesive than a central portion of the release sheets.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising entangled fibers. The sponge has an elongated radiopaque element in the sheet, with the fibers being entangled about the element to retain it in place in the sheet.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures to a patient's limb having a sleeve for placement on the patient's limb, with the sleeve having a plurality of chambers arranged longitudinally along the sleeve including a monitored chamber, a device responsive to a control signal for forming a fluid under pressure, a device for generating said control signal, a device for selecting a predetermined value of said control signal by the generating device to select a desired predetermined pressure by the forming device, a device for connecting the fluid from the forming device to the chambers of the sleeve, including the monitored chamber, a device for comparing the pressure of the monitored chamber with the desired predetermined pressure of the selecting device, and a device responsive to the comparing device for modifying said control signal of the generating device to control the forming device to form the desired predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An adapter comprising, an outer tube, and an inner tube defining a cavity between the inner and outer tube, with the inner tube having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. The adapter has a solid antiseptic agent in the cavity.

Abstract: An intubating airway having an elongated body comprising a lingual flat portion with a transversely disposed faceplate on one end. The other end comprises a curved surface which tapers to a narrow distal edge. A pair of flexible guide walls are upstanding from said flat lingual portion, to define a generally tubular guideway. Outwardly of the flexible walls are a pair of upstanding walls which attach to said faceplate, to provide a blocking arrangement for a patient's teeth, insuring protection for any medical instrument disposed within said flexible guide.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb comprising a stocking having circumferentially elastic boot portion which applies a compressive pressure against the limb which decreases from the ankle to a top of the stocking, an elongated pressure sleeve for enclosing a length of the patient's limb over the stocking, said sleeve having a plurality of separate fluid pressure chambers progressively arranged longitudinally along the sleeve from a lower portion of the limb to an upper portion of the limb proximal the patient's heart relative to said lower portion, a device for intermittently forming a plurality of fluid pressure pulses and a device for connecting the pressure pulses to chambers in the sleeve to apply a compressive pressure against the patient's limb by the sleeve which decreases from the lower to upper portions.

Abstract: A closure device for shrinkwraps comprising a high temperature-resistant, flame-resistant and dimensionally stable backing layer, a cross linked, high temperature-resistant, shear-resistant, and flame-resistant pressure sensitive adhesive applied to one surface of the backing layer; a heat-shrinkable film dimensionally smaller than the pressure sensitive adhesive layer positioned on the adhesive layer so as to maintain a peripheral area of exposed pressure sensitive adhesive; and an optional release liner applied so as to protect the exposed pressure sensitive adhesive layer from premature and unwanted contact prior to use.

Abstract: A blank for a roll of tape is disclosed which is constructed from a blank having a fold line so that it may be folded over and glued. Each side of the blank on either side of the fold line has a U-shaped aperture extending in the same direction. The two U-shaped apertures are positioned and dimensioned whereby they are in registry. The roll of tape is mounted on the folded blank in a manner that the portions between the U-shaped apertures are inserted each from opposite sides of the blank as it is folded whereby the portions are axially located with respect to the roll of tape.

Abstract: A delivery system for a wound dressing comprising, an elastomeric film having a front surface, a back surface, an adhesive on the front surface, a first end margin, and a second opposed end margin, with the film having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the front surface. The system has a release sheet releasably attached to and covering the adhesive on the film. The system has a tab member secured to the back surface of the film adjacent to the first end margin. The system also has a support sheet releasably attached to the back surface of the film, with the support sheet having a first end margin located adjacent to the tab member and being free of attachment to the tab member, and a second end margin located adjacent to the second end margin of the film.

Abstract: An absorbent dressing comprising, a transparent backing sheet having a relatively high water vapor permeability, a front sheet having a pressure sensitive adhesive on a front surface thereof for facing a wound with the front sheet and adhesive having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and an absorbent layer intermediate the front sheet and backing sheet having a plurality of openings in register with the apertures of the front sheet, with the openings of the layer being at least as large as the apertures of the front sheet.