Abstract: A method for treating gelatin capsules so that the end product resulting therefrom may be insertable through a body orifice for application of a measured dose of medicinal material to an area to be treated is disclosed. The method provides for the relative hardening and softening of respective portions of the capsule so as to allow the capsule to perform the desired function. Means are provided with the capsule to permit rupturing of the end of the capsule to allow the medicinal material to be discharged therefrom upon the application of pressure at the other end of the capsule.

Abstract: A contraceptive device containing a contraceptive gel for insertion into the vagina. The gel is made of natural ingredients and has a pH of approximately 2. The gel includes citric acid for providing the low pH; glycerine which acts as an emollient lubricant, and an emulsifier; aromatic malic acid, which acts as a stabilizer and an aromatic deodorant; kelco and/or wood celulose, which keeps the gel from liquifying at high temperatures; and distilled water.

Abstract: In a tampon comprising an absorptive relatively non-compressible core surrounded by a transmissive foam jacket, the foam jacket is formed into a skirt extending from the lower end of the core to define an opening to receive the finger of the user for digital insertion.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided with an adhesive closure means in which an elongated flexible strip extends transversely across the diaper along a marginal portion thereof. The strip has a mid-portion which is permanently attached to the diaper, and a pair of end portions. Each end portion has an inward section which has a release coating on the inside surface, and a free end section which has an adhesive coating on the inside surface. The free end section is adapted for folding over upon the inward section and releasably adhering thereto. In one embodiment, the inward section is positioned along a side margin of the diaper so that each free end section, when ready for use, extends beyond an adjacent edge of the diaper. In another embodiment, the entire length of each end portion extends beyond a side edge of the diaper.

Abstract: A sterile drape for selectively performing an expanded surgical procedure comprising, a flexible main sheet having a lower surface facing toward a patient after placement of the drape, and an upper surface facing away from the patient after placement of the drape. The drape has a fenestration of a sufficient size for performing an enlarged surgical procedure. The drape also has a flexible frame sheet removably secured to the upper surface of the drape around the fenestration. The frame sheet has a fenestration of a size smaller than and aligned with the drape fenestration for performing a reduced surgical procedure. The frame sheet is removed from the drape for performing the enlarged surgical procedure through the drape fenestration.

Abstract: An absorbent nether garment liner is provided which comprises an absorbent layer having a first and second major surface and exhibiting an elongation under tensile stress which is recoverable and such stress is relaxed. A body fluid impervious layer overlies and is adhered to the first major surface of the absorbent layer, said body fluid impervious layer exhibiting less recoverable elongation than the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer is adhered to the impervious layer while the former is under tension and hence, elongated. Accordingly, the absorbent nether garment liner will assume a non-planar arcuate shape.

Abstract: A protective absorbent liner for nether garments is provided comprising an elongated absorbent body having the body contacting major surface and a garment contacting major surface. Pressure sensitive adhesive element means are disposed longitudinally and centrally upon the garment contacting surface and extend from end to end thereof. The removable release strip overlies the entire length of the pressure sensitive adhesive element. At least one extreme end portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive element is provided with a pattern of raised and depressed areas whereby the resistance to peeling of both the release strip prior to use and the nether garment after use is lower in the end portion than in the central portion of the adhesive element.

Abstract: A device and processes comprising the application of a device containing one or more small, rigid objects to produce pressure at designated points of a person's body without puncturing the person's skin, with the added feature of magnetization of the rigid objects to enhance the effectiveness of the device and processes.

Abstract: A hygienic garment assembly including a panty-type garment which is devoid of a crotch portion with the front and rear panels being cut off horizontally and hemmed, and a sanitary napkin which constitutes the crotch portion of the garment assembly, the ends of the napkin being fastened by detachable means to the hems of the front and rear panels, respectively.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a removable laminated supplemental insert formed with a pull tab to permit its separation from the diaper. Both the diaper and insert have means to insure spreading of any moisture deposited thereon. The insert also includes means to initially hold the margins of the diaper folded thereover.

Abstract: An eye covering member of opaque material has an inner surface adjacent the eyes of a wearer when in use. A fastening device on the eye covering member removably affixes said member over the eyes of a wearer. A pair of eye pads are removably accommodated in a pair of spaced recesses formed in the inner surface of the eye covering member over the eyes of a wearer for applying medication to the eyes.

Abstract: A double duty disposable diaper comprised of a bottom moisture impervious layer of thin material having one or more layers of absorbent material arranged thereon face to face, and a strip comprised of like layers of material centrally arranged on the absorbent layer midway between its side edges. The insert strip extends to or beyond at least one edge of said absorbent layer and is detachably secured to said layer. At least one absorbent layer of the diaper assembly may be impregnated with medication or a deodorant. The invention also embodies the method of fabricating such a diaper.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with catamenial tampons which comprise means for preventing by-pass but yet are readily removable. Generally the tampons are hollow cones of absorbable material with a withdrawal cord attached to the apex and an unfurlable cuff around the outside of the open base end of the cone.

Abstract: Osmotically driven active agent dispenser for use in an aqueous environment that pumps a solution of active agent, such as a drug, at a predetermined, constant rate. The dispenser is in the form of a coated tablet comprising: a core of an osmotically effective active agent composition; and an inexpandable wall that encloses the core, has a controlled permeability to water and includes means, such as brittleness or sites of structural weakness, that is responsive to the pressure generated within the dispenser by imbibition of water from the environment by the core through the wall to form at least one, and usually many, passageways in situ in the wall through which the active agent composition in solution is pumped osmotically at a rate that is substantially dependent of the rate at which water is being imbibed into the dispenser.

Abstract: An absorbent product is provided with side leakage control means. The product comprises an absorbent element having first and second major surfaces and is provided with means for retarding premature failure by side leakage, these means comprising a narrow longitudinally extending zone along each of the side edges of the product but spaced away from each of the side edges. The zone is impregnated with a hydrophobic material from major surface to major surface and the extreme longitudinal portions of the absorbent element along the longitudinal edges are free of such impregnation.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having a front surface, a fluid pervious top sheet covering at least a portion of the front surface of the pad, and a perforated film of thermoplastic material intermediate the sheet and pad. The film is heated to enlarge the perforations and fuse the film to the sheet and pad.

Abstract: An osmotic system for delivering a beneficial agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The system comprises a laminate surrounding a compartment and has a passageway through the laminate for releasing agent from the compartment. The laminate comprises at least two laminae; one consisting of a semipermeable, polymeric material that is permeable to the passage of an external fluid and maintains its physical and chemical integrity in the environment of use, and one consisting of a semipermeable polymeric material that is permeable to the passage of the fluid, substantially impermeable to the passage of agent and maintains its physical and chemical integrity in the presence of agent.

Abstract: An inhalation device having an elongate housing having one or more passageways for the passage of air therethrough. Each passageway, of relatively small diameter, opens into an emptying chamber, of relatively greater diameter, adjacent that end of the housing which is adapted for insertion into the mouth or nose of a user. Adjacent that end of the emptying chamber closest to the passageway(s), the housing has means for receiving or presenting a unit dose of powdered medicament for administration. Means are provided to open the medicament holder as it is being inserted into, or after it has been inserted into, the means for receiving or presenting a unit dose of powdered medicament for administration. During inhalation, the air stream passing over and directed into the powdered medicament holder entrains the powdered medicament which is then carried into the nose, throat or lungs of the user where beneficial or therapeutic action of the medicament occurs.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having front and back waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining an inverted pleat configuration of the pad assembly, and an elastic band extending across a lateral fold in the crotch region.

Abstract: An ocular drug dispensing device for administering a drug at a controlled and continuous dosage unit rate to the eye to produce a local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is comprised of a shaped body insoluble in tear fluid and comprised of a first wall, a third wall distant from the first wall, a second wall interposed between the first and third wall and extending around their peripheries for sealingly engaging the first and third wall, a reservoir defined by the inner surfaces of the walls and containing the drug or a mixture of the drug in a carrier and wherein at least one of the first and third walls is formed of an imperforate drug release rate controlling material permeable to the passage of drug or a microporous material containing in the micropores a drug release rate controlling medium permeable to the passage of drug for administering a therapeutically effective amount of drug over a prolonged period of time.