Abstract: A tampon comprises a compacted tampon blank, which in turn is formed by winding a liquid-permeable strip and a string of absorbent material placed thereon to a roll and inserting strip-parts which project from the sides of the string, inwardly of the innermost turn or winding of the roll. In the process of manufacturing the tampon, the strip carrying the string can be wound around a first, tubular mandrel, and one strip-part can be inserted into the mandrel through one open mandrel-end located adjacent the inner edge of the strip-part. A second tubular mandrel is then inserted through the open end of the first mandrel and the first mandrel then withdrawn. With the second mandrel surrounded by the first, inserted strip-part and located with an open end adjacent the inner edge of the other strip-part, the other strip-part is inserted into the second mandrel, which is then withdrawn from the thus formed tampon blank, which is thereafter compacted or compressed.

Abstract: A dressing device and method are described, for use with a needle that is injected into the skin. The dressing device comprises a cover sheet and a gel medium attached to the cover sheet, the gel medium being transparent and effective to reseal after being punctured by the needle. Most importantly, the gel medium includes a sterilizing agent.Injection of the needle into the skin occurs only after the needle penetrates the gel medium, so that the needle is disinfected or sterilized.

Abstract: Disposable sanitary articles comprise paper treated with polycationic latexes as wet-strength agents. The paper has sufficient wet strength that it can serve as the backsheet for absorbent articles, garments, and the like. Thus, KYMENE is reacted, for example, with acrylic acid and cross-linked with styrene/butadiene to provide a polycationic latex which is used to treat paper to enhance its wet strength. Diapers, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and the like, prepared from the foregoing materials are disclosed.

Abstract: An implant material for replacing hard tissue of a living body is provided. The implant material comprises 10 to 90 wt % of a fiber glass and 90 to 10 wt % of an organic high polymer material. The fiber glass is mainly composed of calcium phosphate. The organic high polymer material does not inhibit affinity with the living body. On the surface of the implant material, a portion of the fiber glass is exposed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the determination of the change in the mechanical magnitudes during muscular contraction and for the correlation with the change in the electrical magnitudes of nerve and muscle during muscular contraction. The body part with joint, which is to be investigated, is attached to a bolster (2) which rotates sagittally and is supported by means of axles (7, 8) on a line coinciding with the axis of rotation of the joint. An electromagnetically controlled functional coupling (10) and an electric motor (9) are connected to the axle (7) so as to be controllable, and horizontally extending flexure beams (27, 28), with stress measurement strips (29, 30), are fastened at the longitudinal sides of the electric motor (9). A potentiometer (11) and a torque measurement strip (31) are arranged on the axle (8).

Abstract: A combined surgical drainage device and autotransfusion apparatus is provided in which a drainage device having a conventional collection chamber and suction regulating system may be readily converted into use as an autotransfusion system. The drainage apparatus has a fluid retention chamber disposed immediately beneath the inlet and a fluid outlet is provided in the bottom wall of the retention chamber with a spring pressed closure therein so that a nozzle on a collapsible autotransfusion bag may be inserted into the fluid retention chamber. The autotransfusion bag is collapsible and is provided with removable spreader means to maintain the bag in an expanded condition. When suction is applied to the drainage device, the interior of the autotransfusion bag is maintained at the desired suction level.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint (10) with a clamping member (13) is provided with a peg (11) for attachment to a thigh shaft (12). The clamping member is pivotable against a braking member or barrel (19) located inside the knee joint housing when a vertical load (44) is applied to the knee joint to arrest the swiveling movement a leg part (26). The leg part accommodates the lower leg tube of a leg prosthesis as well as a traction strap (36) impelling the knee joint back into the straightened position. By this means an uncontrolled buckling of the artificial knee joint is prevented in the event that a prosthesis wearer stumbles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity. The method removes ascitic fluid through a free floating section of a patient's intestinal tract.

Abstract: A dressing device and method are described, for use with a needle that is injected into the skin. The dressing device comprises a cover sheet and a gel medium attached to the cover sheet, the gel medium being transparent and effective to reseal after being punctured by the needle. Most importantly, the gel medium includes a sterilizing agent.Injection of the needle into the skin occurs only after the needle penetrates the gel medium, so that the needle is disinfected or sterilized.

Abstract: A turntable for an artificial limb provides a rotatable joint which enables the limb to be turned into the cross-legged position. The turntable includes two relatively rotatable plates and axially moveable means for locking one plate relative to the other in one position.

Abstract: An intraocular lens, folded on itself for insertion into an eye, is retained in the folded configuration by chilling until it becomes inflexible and loses its tendency to unfold. The folded, frozen lens is inserted into the eye and thaws in situ to restore it to its original unfolded configuration. The chilling obviates the need for special retaining means to hold the lens in the folded configuration for insertion, thereby facilitating the surgical procedure and enabling a smaller incision to be used. The lens may be frozen onto an inserter for positioning it within the eye. Apparatus for folding and freezing the lens is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a wound dressing able to absorb significant quantities of wound exudate emitted from an open wound. In one construction, it has the capability of allowing moisture contained in the exudate to be transpired out of the dressing, thereby lengthening the useful life of the dressing and minimizing macerations.

Abstract: Tissue needle for extracting a biopsy sample including a pistol style squeezable hand grip for single hand tissue needle operation during a biopsy procedure. A spring tensioned sliding cannula, including a configured cutting edge, is actuated by a squeeze trigger and cam arrangement to slide over a fixed position stylet for entry into a tissue sample area. A squeeze trigger manually cycles using one hand to obtain a biopsy sample contained in a tissue sample notch of the sharp stylet tip whereupon the tissue needle can then be manually withdrawn. The tissue needle can be left temporarily in position in the tissue sample area in preparation for additional sampling while the stylet is withdrawn independently of the cannula prior to other samplings after subsequent reinsertion of the stylet into the cannula.

Abstract: In a surgical needle, marks of welding are left as they are on a welded portion between needle and pipe members so that the welded portion has a surface distinguishable from peripheral surfaces of the respective needle and pipe members. The welded portion may be composed of a plurality of peripherally spaced welded parts. In a manufacturing method of the surgical needle, a beam energy is applied from a beam energy emitting arrangement, toward an abutting line between the needle and pipe members, from a direction substantially perpendicular to the needle and pipe members, thereby welding them to each other. In a manufacturing apparatus, a rotational support arrangement is provided for supporting the needle and pipe members in such a manner that end faces of the respective needle and pipe members are abutted against each other at a location coincident with an optical axis of the laser beam, and for rotating the needle and pipe members about their respective axes.

Abstract: A molded article for skin contact medical treatment which comprises an integrally molded product of germanium and ceramic which irradiates far infrared rays by heating.

Abstract: A protective bandage is provided having a circumferentially shaped foam base topped with a protective grill or screen. The grill is attached to the foam base either mechanically or with an adhesive bonding sheet. The underside of the foam base is coated with an adhesive for attachment to the skin.The resulting bandage provides protection from physical trauma, enhances the flow of air to the wound, and allows application of medication to the wound without the need for bandage removal.

Abstract: As ostomy appliance having a collection pouch and a flexible faceplate, the faceplate including an outer ring of thin, microporous sheet material and an inner ring of flexible, thermoplastic film impervious to gases and body fluids. The outer microporous ring surrounds the inner ring so that their adjacent margins overlap and are sealed to each other. The faceplate also includes a barrier ring secured to the inner marginal portion of the microporous ring on the side opposite from the attachment of the impervious inner ring. A fluid-impervious annular seal is provided between the impervious inner ring and the barrier ring at a location radially inwardly from the microporous ring, thereby securing the parts together and isolating the inner margin of the microporous ring from contact by stomal fluids.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument is disclosed with a pair of blades which may be brought into an interference fit contact to generate a shearing force therebetween. The blades form an assembly which is removably attached to the instrument and is disposable. A trigger-type mechanism is provided for operating the blades. A jig is also provided for installing and removing the disposable blade assembly.

Abstract: A lunate implant includes a one-piece, at least semi-rigid body defining a triquetrum face, a scaphoid face, a cupped, concave, distal surface adapted to articulate with the capitate bone, a proximal surface, a palmar surface and a dorsal surface. A pair of spaced, generally parallel suture passages extend between and open through the triquetrum and scaphoid faces. A pair of sutures are stitched to ligaments of the wrist. The ends of the sutures are passed through the suture passages so that one of the sutures has ends extending away from the triquetrum face and the other suture has ends extending away from the scaphoid face. The ends are grasped and the lunate implant is pulled down into the desired position in the distal carpal row of the wrist. The sutures are tied adjacent the implant to stabilize and position the implant.

Abstract: A ceramic implant material is disclosed, which comprises a porous zirconia or silicon nitride ceramic containing silicon carbide whiskers, the pores of which are filled with a material adapted to the tissue.