Abstract: This invention is directed to an implantable medication-dispensing device which is arranged for subcutaneous implantation. The device has hard body in which is located a liquid reservoir, an adjacent gas chamber, and a pump which is manually operable through the cutaneous layer for drawing liquid medication from the reservoir and dispensing it and directing it into the body tissue below the hypoderm. A refill membrane permits injection of medication into the reservoir so that the implanted device can be periodically refilled.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent bandage such as a diaper has a nonwoven fibrous facing layer which includes side portions flanking a median portion, at least the side portions thereof being impregnated with a volatile liquid containing a binder to secure the interfiber connections to maintain the fiber superstructure and at least the side portions being heated to explosively puff at least the side portions of the web into a gossamer web in which the side portions have a density less than about 0.02 gm./cm..sup.3, and in which the median portion has a density of at least 0.04 gm./cm..sup.3. The differential in fiber densities between the median portion and the side portion results in substantially greater wickability in the median portion than in the side portions and reduces the tendency for leakage at the sides of the diaper.

Abstract: An inserter for delivering soft, deformable tampons into body cavities and the combination of the inserter with a suitable tampon. The inserter is particularly useful with tampons made of resiliently deformable material, such as polyurethane sponge. The inserter is made up of a pair of telescoping elements. The outer element is in the form of a tube. The inner element may also be in the form of a tube and has a main portion slidably disposed within the outer tube and a front portion comprising a smaller diameter frontal extension axially disposed on the forward end of the main portion and having a length substantially as long as the outer element when the inner element is slidably disposed therein.In the inserter and tampon combination, the tampon is disposed within the outer tube to provide a forward head portion and a trailing skirt-like portion with at least the skirt-like portion being deformed and held in releasable compression between the frontal extension and the outer tube.

Abstract: A small, portable, constant withdrawal device is connected to tubing, including a catheter, whose internal walls are coated with heparin. The catheter is inserted intravenously through a disposal needle into a subject such as a human being. The subject may then move about for a selected period when blood is being slowly withdrawn at a prescribed rate and collected in a container within a housing supporting the device. The collected blood may then be analyzed to permit the measurement of the integrated concentration of glucose, growth hormone or other material in blood. In addition, a portable microdiffusion chamber is incorporated between the indwelling catheter and the extra corporal tubing and is electrically connected through a sensor probe to an associated sensory responsive device. This permits continuous analysis of the withdrawn blood to determine the in vivo concentration of circulating concentrations of materials in the blood.

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 small, portable, constant withdrawal device is connected to tubing, including a catheter, whose internal walls are coated with heparin. The catheter is inserted intravenously through a disposable needle into a subject such as a human being. The subject may then move about for a selected period when blood is being slowly withdrawn at a prescribed rate and collected in a container within a housing supporting the device. The collected blood may then be analyzed to permit the measurement of the integrated concentration of growth hormone or any substance whose concentration in blood fluctuates widely.In addition, a portable microdiffusion chamber is incorporated between the indwelling catheter and the extra corporal tubing and is electrically connected through a sensing probe to an associated portable sensory responsive device. This permits analyzation of the extracted blood to determine the in vivo concentration of circulating concentrations of the diffusable fraction of biological materials in the blood.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing drugs and other medications within the body leaves the patient ambulatory and is adapted to be entirely implanted and to dispense such substances over a long period of time, e.g., one to several years, in accordance with the actual needs of the patient. A self-powered dispensing device stores a single or plural substances in powdered, liquid, or other dispensable form and utilizes a compressible container, i.e., a bellows, for withdrawing such substances from storage and dispensing to the body. The dispensing operation may be on a fixed schedule or may be controlled by monitoring single or plural sensors implanted in the body and evaluating the sensed data in order to control both the conditions under which and the kind of dispensing which takes place. Dual dispensers and dual medication may be employed.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs which are slit within the perimetric limits thereof to form a central flap spaced from the edges of the tab. The tab includes a free end and a fixed end. An adhesive coating is provided on at least one face of the flap, free end and fixed end. The fixed end is permanently attached to the diaper backing sheet and the flap is permanently attached to the facing sheet by means of the respective adhesive coatings so that stresses exerted on the tab are distributed to both the facing sheet and the backing sheet when the diaper is secured about an infant.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a waterproof back sheet, a hydrophobic sheet, and an absorbent pad sandwiched between the back sheet and the face sheet. The diaper is folded to define a box pleated configuration having a central panel, inwardly extending panels and outwardly extending panels with the inner edges of the inwardly extending panels being in abutting relationship. Sealing strips of waterproof material separate from the back sheet are secured on the face sheet. The sealing strips are formed by folding an excess width of the back sheet over the face sheet forming side flap portions, and then cutting the side flap portions free from the back sheet. The sealing strips may be folded inwardly toward the center of the diaper to form fluid catching seals.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs comprising an integral elongated tape segment having a fixed end attached to the backing sheet at a location spaced inwardly from the edge of the backing sheet, an adhesive-coated free working end, and a pleated central segment. Release means is carried by the backing sheet between the edge thereof and the fixed end of the tab. The free end of the tab is movable from a storage position in which the central segment is pleated and extensibly folded and the free end is releasably adhered to the release means, to an extended working position in which the central segment is in an extended position and the free end is released from the release means and is available to secure the diaper about an infant.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs comprising a backing web and a face web. The backing web is folded over to form first and second anchoring legs which are attached to a marginal portion of the diaper received therebetween. The face web has a fixed end permanently attached to the diaper outside surface inwardly of the backing web, an uncoated central region, and a free working end provided with a layer of adhesive. The free end is movable from a folded-over storage position, in which the adhesive layer is releasably attached to a release means provided on the outer surface of the first anchoring leg, to a working position in which the adhesive layer is available to secure the diaper about an infant. The release means preferably extends along the outer face of the entire backing web.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a waterproof back sheet, a hydrophobic sheet, and an hydrophilic pad sandwiched between the back sheet and the face sheet. The diaper is folded to define a box pleated configuration. Sealing strips of waterproof material separate from the back sheet are secured to the face sheet.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs comprising a backing web, a first tape segment and a second tape segment. The backing web is folded over to form a pair of anchoring legs which are permanently attached to a marginal portion of the diaper received therebetween. First and second tape segments each have a fixed end attached to the same anchoring leg, and a free end which is folded about the edge of the diaper and releasably attached to an underlying release means. The free end of the first tape segment is separable from a first release means carried on the free end of the second tape segment to make the first tape segment available for use in securing the diaper about an infant.

Abstract: A device in the form of a sleeve for facilitating the insertion of a tampon into the vagina. The string of the tampon is received in a slit at one end of the sleeve, said slit defining a cylindrical portion which functions as a support for the tampon when the tampon has been partially moved out of the sleeve.

Abstract: A bandage for continuously administering controlled quantities of systemically active drugs through the skin or mucosa is disclosed. This bandage has a backing member which defines one of its face surfaces and at least one reservoir containing the systemically active drug formulation which defines the other face surface. The reservoir can be a distinct layer of the bandage or can be a plurality of microcapsules distributed throughout a matrix. The material used to form the reservoir is drug release rate controlling and for a prolonged period continuously meters a controlled and predetermined flow of drug from the reservoir to the skin or mucosa of a patient.

Abstract: Absorption products such as compresses, sanitary napkins, diapers or the like which comprise an absorption body furnished with a covering and an at least substantially moisture-impermeable layer which is provided between said body and said covering on the side of the body facing away from the user. The at least substantially moisture-impervious layer comprises short hydrophobic fibers loosely applied and essentially unbound to one another.

Abstract: Improved dispensing means for medicaments, contraceptives, and the like, which can be retained in the vagina during intercourse are provided.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having a pair of side edges, an absorbent pad, a front surface, a backing sheet of a fluid impervious material defining a back surface of the pad assembly, said backing sheet having an end section adjacent an end edge of the pad assembly, said end section being folded with the back surface of the end section facing the front surface of an underlying portion of the backing sheet, and at least a portion of the back surface of the end section being retained against the back surface of the backing sheet portion underlying the end section.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having front and back waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, a lateral fold in the crotch region along a laterally extending fold line, and an elastic constraint across the location of the lateral fold line.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument includes an electrically heated cutting edge and a power supply system for maintaining the cutting edge at a constant high temperature for sterilizing the blade, cutting tissue, and cauterizing the incised tissue to reduce hemorrhage from the cut surfaces of the tissues (hemostasis). .Iadd.