Abstract: A die-cut, contoured, catamenial napkin of joined-together layers of sheet material assembled into a sandwich which combines a thin, soft, flexible peripheral portion for comfort with a thick central portion for increased fluid-holding capacity. The uppermost layer is a thin batt of intermingled fibers provided with unbonded low density cushion areas separated by spaced bonded areas comprised of compressed fluid-distributing channels of higher density extending generally longitudinally of the batt and intersecting the ends and edges. The central portion of the uppermost layer is upwardly deformed to provide a pad-receiving cavity in which a main fluid-holding element consisting of a relatively thick pad of absorbent material is positioned in intimate physical contact with the uppermost layer while the horizontal face portions of the side and end walls of the central pad are free of contact with neighboring components.

Abstract: A magnifying lens incorporated in an endoscope optical system for viewing an illuminated area to be examined by means of the endoscope is adjustable between end positions in which it lies behind and in front of the focus of the optical system respectively, whereby to enable general examination of said area at a relatively small magnification and a more detailed examination of said area at a relatively higher magnification. A viewing window of an endoscope optical system is heated by an electrical heating conductor to guard against clouding of the viewing window, for example by the breath of a patient.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having opposed surfaces, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The diaper has a tape fastener comprising, tape means having a first portion secured to one of the surfaces of the pad assembly, a securement portion for attachment to a spaced portion of the diaper, an extensible portion connecting the first and securement portions, and elastic means constraining expansion of the extensible portion.

Abstract: A catamenial napkin conforming to the female body shape may be secured to the wearer without a supporting belt. The napkin has a backing formed from an impermeable plastic-like material. The longitudinal ends of the napkin have non-irritating adhesive strips that may attach the napkin to the body. The sanitary napkin has at least two layers of absorptive material separated by a perforated layer of otherwise impermeable material. The outer layer of absorptive material is covered by a non-irritating gauze. The napkin is completely filled with absorptive material to each longitudinal end, and is held together by non-irritating adhesive strips along each longitudinal edge.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising, an absorbent pad having a mass of hydrophilic fibers and a matrix of a comminuted hydrophobic material dispersed in the interfiber spaces defined by the fibers throughout at least a portion of the pad.

Abstract: An improved diaper fastener system has particular application to a disposable diaper having a generally rectangular-shaped absorbent pad or filler disposed between a fluid-permeable cover sheet and a thermoplastic film backing sheet. The fastener system is comprised of a pair of pressure-sensitive fastening tapes incorporaing a standard release liner with each tape. The improvement includes anchoring one surface of the fixed portion of the fastening tape of the bottom surface of the cover sheet and then adhesively bonding the other surface of the fixed portion to a folded-over side marginal portion of the backing sheet. The release liner is positioned atop the cover sheet and extends laterally a distance that corresponds with the lateral dimension of the attachment portion of the tape.

Abstract: An improved diaper fastener system has particular application to a conventional disposable diaper having a generally rectangular-shaped absorbent pad or filler disposed between a fluid-permeable top cover sheet and a thermoplastic film backing sheet. The fastener system is comprised of a pair of substantially conventional pressure-sensitive fastener tapes but having stress-accepting inserts traversing a certain distance between the release liner and a position on the fixed portion of the fastener tape. When the attachment portion of the tape is opened for use, the applied forces are at least partially accepted by the stress-accepting insert, transferring it through the release liner to the cover sheet which is stronger than the plastic film backing sheet.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having opposed surfaces and a side edge. The diaper has a tape fastener comprising, a pressure-sensitive tape strip having a first end portion secured to one of the surface of the pad assembly adjacent a side edge, a second securement end portion for securing the diaper about an infant, and an elastic band extending around and laterally constraining a central portion of the strip intermediate the first and second portions. The band reduces the lateral dimensions of the central portion and the effective normal length of the strip, such that the second strip portion is longitudinally extensible relative the first portion by increasing the size of the central portion from reduced to enlarged lateral dimensions while expansing the band responsive to forces applied in a longitudinal direction against the strip.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided with adhesive tab fasteners having a fixed end secured to the diaper and an extendible free end. A pressure-sensitive adhesive coating is provided on one face of the free end and a partible protective cover means is permanently attached to the adhesive coating. The protective cover is substantially coextensive with the adhesive coating when the free end is in a non-extended storage position, but is parted when the free end and adhesive coating are extended to a working position, thereby making portions of the adhesive coating available for use in securing the diaper about an infant. The size and spacing of the exposed adhesive portions on the free end can be controlled to provide adequate adhesive contact for securing the diaper about the infant, while at the same time providing a free end that can be separated from the diaper after affixation for inspecting or repositioning the diaper, and thereafter refastening the diaper.

Abstract: A catheter is provided, having a flexible elongated conduit adapted for insertion into a passage in the patient's body. The conduit has a forward insertion end and a rearward distal end, and has a handpiece which surrounds a portion of the conduit in the area of the insertion end. A sealing envelope is attached forwardly on the handpiece and is sealed with respect to the conduit, forming a sealed, enclosed space surrounding at least a portion of the handpiece and also surrounding at least a portion of the conduit. The exterior surface of the rearward portion of the handpiece provides a support for forward sliding manipulation of the envelope, by the individual who inserts the conduit into the body passage of the patient.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having a backing sheet, a top sheet, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges, and a plurality of longitudinally extending absorbent pads disposed in a contiguous relationship laterally across the pad assembly between the backing sheet and the top sheet. Adjoining pads of the pad assembly are longitudinally separated along a line extending between end edges of the pads and through the thickness of the pads to permit relative longitudinal movement of opposed lateral side margins of the pad assembly.

Abstract: Foams (as for example polyurethane foam) catamenial tampons which have been treated with surfactant. Catamenial tampons of this invention exhibit improved humid expansion characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the catamenial tampons comprise particles of lubricated polyurethane foam which have been treated with surfactant and which are contained within a fluid permeable overwrap. The invention includes a process for making the above described catamenial tampons.

Abstract: Method and therapeutic system in the form of a bandage for providing chemotherapy transdermally by administering certain drugs to unbroken skin in an initial priming dose that quickly brings the systemic concentration of drug to a therapeutic level, followed by a substantially constant dosage that holds said level. The bandage is a four-layer laminate of, from the top: a protective backing; a drug reservoir lamina that is the source of the constant dosage; a microporous membrane that controls the constant dosage rate; and an adhesive layer that is the source of the priming dose and the means by which the bandage is attached to the skin.

Abstract: A hand held pill gun for administering medicinal pills and capsules to small animals including a plastic barrel and plunger, and rigid broad surface manipulating bars on the barrel and spaced apart to bear firmly against the front and rear surfaces of the person's fingers.

Abstract: A disposable shield for garment protection and everyday feminine hygiene including odor control comprising a very thin, lightweight, highly absorbent structure is disclosed. The shield is soft, rattle-free, supple and easily comformable to the body and the garment and can be securely positioned to the crotch section of a panty or other undergarment.

Abstract: An osmotic system for delivering an agent is disclosed. The system comprises a wall surrounding a compartment and has a passageway for delivering agent from the compartment. The wall is formed of a laminae comprising a lamina consisting of a multiplicity of materials in laminar arrangement with a lamina consisting of a material or of a multiplicity of materials to provide a laminated wall that is permeable to agents and maintains its integrity during the delivery of agent. The compartment contains an agent that is soluble in an external fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid, or the agent has limited solubility in the fluid and is mixed with an osmotically effective compound soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid.

Abstract: A thin sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent core, a fluid-barrier sheet covering at least the bottom surface of the absorbent core and a fluid-pervious wrapper enclosing the core and the sheet, the absorbent core being a compressed element which comprises cottony pulp compressed in a compression ratio of 1/2 to 1/10 to a thickness of about 1 to about 5 mm. The sanitary napkin not only is handy to carry about but also has a good fluid-absorbability, fluid-holding capacity and pleasant feeling in use, though it has about a half of one-third thickness of conventional sanitary napkins.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a novel sanitary napkin, and more particularly to a thin sanitary napkin including, as an absorbent core, a compressed element which is made of cottony pulp and has a thickness of about 1 to about 5 mm.

Abstract: A foot massager and bath is disclosed in which either a massage or a heated bath or both are optionally available to the user. The bath is maintained in temperature by an element protruded through the wall of the unit to provide a metal-to-bath heat exchange and is shielded from the user's feet by a grille portion of the unit. A vibrating massage is provided by an electrical vibrator mounted on a plane above the plane of the deck upon which the feet are rested and which is coupled to the deck at a point substantially below the foot plane to provide a variable-direction motion of the foot plane area and a consequent variation in the vibrations imparted to the feet. A variable-capacity mount is disclosed which supports the unit on a surface by means of a variable-contoured elastomeric support under differing weight circumstances to provide increased stiffness in the support to accommodate an increased load from within the unit.

Abstract: A control device in implantable sub-cutaneously for use in medicine and surgery. It is actuable by pressing on a sub-cutaneous membrane. It comprises a first chamber closed by the membrane which is placed on one surface of its casing and contains an incompressible fluid, and a second chamber, containing a gas and housing two coaxial bellows connected at their free ends. One of the bellows communicates with the first chamber and the second bellows communicates with a flexible duct going to the duct or cavity to be controlled.

Abstract: An improved wrapper structure for tampons containing superabsorbent material. The wrapper provides the used tampon with a fluid-lubricated surface to ease withdrawal. The wrapper is a fluid-permeable web material having a saline fluid retention capacity sufficient to partially counteract the high capillary suction pressure exerted by superabsorbent fibers in the tampon core and thereby retain enough fluid in the wrapper during use to maintain the surface fibers of the wrapper in soft, lubricous condition.