Abstract: A medical device is provided for applying compressive pressures against a patient's foot. The device comprises first and second panels of flexible material secured to one another to form an inflatable bag to be fitted upon the foot. The bag has first and second separate fluid bladders. The first fluid bladder is adapted to engage a first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder is adapted to engage a second portion of the foot. A boot is provided for holding the inflatable bag to the foot. A fluid supply is provided for applying pressurized fluid to the first and second fluid bladders such that the first fluid bladder applies a first compressive pressure upon the first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder applies a second compressive pressure upon the second portion of the foot. A safety vent is associated with one of the inflatable bag and the fluid supply.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound dressing in the form of a gauze or similar absorbent material having a partially or substantially dehydrated hydrogel material impregnated therein for absorbing wound exudate. The wound dressing is capable of absorbing large amounts of wound exudate without inhibiting the healing of the wound to which it is contacted and without the need for additional backing or adhesive layers. The wound dressing also has a pliable, soft structure which permits the dressing to be applied to wounds having irregular shapes and depths.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for applying compressive pressures against a patient's foot. The device comprises first and second panels of flexible material secured to one another to form an inflatable bag to be fitted upon the foot. The bag has first and second separate fluid bladders. The first fluid bladder is adapted to engage a first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder is adapted to engage a second portion of the foot. A boot is provided for holding the inflatable bag to the foot. A fluid supply is provided for applying pressurized fluid to the first and second fluid bladders such that the first fluid bladder applies a first compressive pressure upon the first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder applies a second compressive pressure upon the second portion of the foot.

Abstract: A disposable biomedical electrode having a one-piece terminal secured therein without washers, retaining rings or other securement means is provided. The electrode also includes an electrolytic gel which exhibits greater patient comfort without any decrease in electrical performance. The gel layer is preferably a hydrogel material formed from an aqueous mixture of polyhydric alcohol, aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer, polyethylene oxide based polyamine, and sodium chloride.

Abstract: A medical electrode assembly for an electrocardiograph or similar device is provided. The medical electrode assembly comprises an electrolyte pad having an electrolyte layer which may be secured to the skin of a patient and a backing member made from a nonconductive material being coextensively superposed directly onto the electrolyte layer. The electrolyte pad is used in conjunction with a reusable lead wire connector having at least one surface contacting the electrolyte layer of the electrolyte pad. The reusable lead wire connector includes a set of jaws which may be compressed together for contacting the electrolyte pad. The set of jaws may be formed of a nonconductive binder material having a conductive filler dispersed therein. A metallic conductive material, such as a silver/silver chloride system, is superposed over the nonconductive binder material.

Abstract: An electrocardiograph system is provided wherein a single electrocardiograph cable may be used to interconnect a plurality of lead wires extending from a plurality of associated medical electrodes with a number of different ECG monitors. Each ECG monitor is connected to an adaptor which properly interconnects each monitor with the single electrocardiograph cable. A wire locking mechanism may be provided at one end of the electrocardiograph cable for securely coupling the lead wires to the cable. Further, a cable coupling mechanism may be provided at the other end of the cable for securely coupling the cable to the adaptor.

Abstract: A flexible burn dressing product contains a high absorbency hydrogel material in a gel phase. The hydrogel material is formed from a hydrogel composition for use in a wound dressings. The hydrogel composition is formed from a mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and glycerine; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer based on polyols containing more than about 40% polyethylene oxide and having an isocyanate content of about 3% by weight; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) up to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. Such a hydrogel material provides a highly absorbent material capable of retaining large amounts of wound exudate, thereby rendering it very suitable for use in wound dressings.

Abstract: A medical electrode assembly for an electrocardiograph or similar device is provided. The medical electrode assembly comprises an electrolyte pad having an electrolyte layer which may be secured to the skin of a patient and a backing member made from a nonconductive material being coextensively superposed directly onto the electrolyte layer. The electrolyte pad is used in conjunction with a reusable lead wire connector having at least one surface contacting the electrolyte layer of the electrolyte pad. The reusable lead wire connector includes a set of jaws which may be compressed together for contacting the electrolyte pad. The set of jaws may be formed of a nonconductive binder material having a conductive filler dispersed therein. A metallic conductive material, such as a silver/silver chloride system, is superposed over the nonconductive binder material.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing electrodes used in conjunction with electrocardiograph apparatus is provided. The assembly comprises a carrier sheet having two generally parallel and longitudinal tear lines extending along the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab. The electrodes are mounted on the carrier sheet over the tear lines in two rows which are substantially parallel. The electrodes are oriented with their respective tabs extending away from the center of the carrier sheet, wherein the electrodes are exposed successively as the carrier sheet is torn along the tear lines thereby facilitating access to the tabs of the electrodes. The invention also provides an assembly comprising a carrier sheet, a pull strip releasably mounted along the longitudinal center of the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing electrodes used in conjunction with electrocardiograph apparatus is provided. The assembly comprises a carrier sheet having two generally parallel and longitudinal tear lines extending along the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab. The electrodes are mounted on the carrier sheet over the tear lines in two rows which are substantially parallel. The electrodes are oriented with their respective tabs extending away from the center of the carrier sheet, wherein the electrodes are exposed successively as the carrier sheet is torn along the tear lines thereby facilitating access to the tabs of the electrodes. The invention also provides an assembly comprising a carrier sheet, a pull strip releasably mounted along the longitudinal center of the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab.

Abstract: A self-adhesive bandage is provided. The bandage comprises a substrate having a first side and a second side and a plurality of layers including a backing layer which forms the first side of the substrate, and an adhesive layer which forms the second side of the substrate. A hydrogel layer is disposed over the second side of the substrate and is made from a polyurethane hydrogel material especially suitable for absorbing bodily fluids, such as wound exudate. Additionally, a plurality of support layers may be interposed between the substrate and the hydrogel layer to provide the bandage with additional support.

Abstract: A wound dressing for a deep wound is provided. The wound dressing comprises a hydrogel layer having an upper surface and a lower surface. The hydrogel layer is correspondingly sized to fill the cavity of the deep wound. The wound dressing further comprises a dressing removal layer disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the hydrogel layer. The dressing removal layer extends outwardly from the hydrogel layer so as to form a pull tab which facilitates removal of the hydrogel layer from the deep wound. A method of making a wound dressing for a deep wound is also provided.

Abstract: A flexible burn dressing product contains a hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The burn dressing product is comprised of several layers including a burn dressing and a release layer. The burn dressing is comprised of a bacterial barrier layer coated with a bonding layer, a reticulated layer impregnated with a hydrogel material, and a hydrogel material layer. A dimensionally stable backing member may also be adhesively attached to the bacterial barrier layer to help the burn dressing maintain its shape until it is applied to a patient. When the burn dressing product is to be applied to a burn site, the release layer is removed to expose the hydrogel material layer. The remaining layers of the burn dressing product are then applied to the burn site, with the hydrogel material layer directly contacting the burn. Once these layers are in place, the dimensionally stable backing member is removed.

Abstract: A wound dressing product is described which includes a flexible backing member that can be vacuum formed to include a depression. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends across the depression side of the flexible backing member. A hydrogel material is positioned in the depression of the flexible backing member and a release liner extends over the exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the exposed hydrogel material, which release liner has a selective releasability whereby it can be removed from the wound dressing product intact, leaving a portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the hydrogel material exposed.

Abstract: A flexible, transparent wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, a release layer, and a dimensionally stable backing member. The wound dressing is comprised of a thin-film transparent layer having an adhesive perimeter portion and a center portion, and a hydrogel material positioned in the center portion of the transparent layer. Since the wound dressing is transparent, a grid pattern may be printed on the thin-film transparent layer to permit measurement of a wound. During manufacture, a vacuum pressure is applied to allow temporary access to the center portion of the thin-film transparent layer, creating a cavity for insertion of the hydrogel material. The dimensionally stable backing member is then adhesively attached around the perimeter portion of the thin-film transparent layer to help the wound dressing maintain its shape.

Abstract: A wound dressing product is described which includes a flexible backing member that can be vacuum formed to include a depression. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends across the depression side of the flexible backing member. A hydrogel material is positioned in the depression of the flexible backing member and a release liner extends over the exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the exposed hydrogel material, which release liner has a selective releasability whereby it can be removed from the wound dressing product intact, leaving a portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the hydrogel material exposed.