Abstract: The angiographic catheter includes a long generally flexible portion of a first material, an intermediate portion of the first material and a second material that is more flexible then the first material and a tip portion of the second material. The long body portion has a first exit opening having a stream trajectory directed toward the exit stream trajectory from the tip member exit for stream breakup and mixing at. A reaction exit is directed in the opposite direction of the first exit opening.The generally long body portion with a curved end portion with a first end curve of generally circular shape about a center that is connected to the end of the long body with a compound curve connected to the end of the first end curve and having a member positioned generally parallel to the long body portion with the distance between parallel members generally less than to the radii of the generally circular shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved intravaginal ring for use as a contraceptive comprising an inert elastomer core, a medicated layer encircling the core and an outer inert elastomer layer and method of manufacturing the intravaginal ring.

Abstract: An intrauterine device of the type having an external surface contacting the walls of the uterus after insertion therein, and said device having first walls defining a fluid-receiving cavity in at least a portion thereof. A concentrated fluid solution of a drug is present in the cavity and the drug is of the type providing an antifibrinolytic, an antifertility and antiproteolytic effect and is one or a mixture of more than one guanidine such as any aromatic monoguanidine, aromatic diguanidine, non-aromatic monoguanidine and non-aromatic diguanidine, and mixtures of one or more of the guanidines with one or more amidines.

Abstract: Cryosurgical apparatus for necrosing human tissue or the like, the apparatus comprising a coolant supply where coolant comprising nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, Freon 13 or Freon 23 is disposed within a container as a liquid under its own vapor pressure; pressure elevating means for increasing the vapor pressure so that it is greater than what it would be at room temperature and for maintaining the elevated vapor pressure substantially constant; a cryosurgical instrument having a hollow tissue contacting portion and a coolant expansion means disposed at the distal end of a feed passageway and a discharge path disposed outside of the passageway; and means for supplying the coolant to the feed passageway of the cryosurgical instrument so that the temperature of the coolant discharged through the expansion means is lowered.

Abstract: A contraceptive device and method of contraception as well as a method of making the contraceptive device are described. Native collagen form of fibrillar protein is comminuted and homogenized in an acid environment; noncollagenous material is removed and residual collagen is mixed with water the pH of the resulting slurry is adjusted to 4.5 to 5.0 by the addition of acetic acid; gluteraldehyde is then added and the slurry poured into molds and frozen at approximately -10.degree. centigrade for approximately 20 hours. The frozen mass is then thawed, washed, and immersed in a wash of pH 8 to 9 for approximately 2 hours at 20.degree. centigrade. Sufficient reducing agent is added to the wash to create excess reducing equivalents. The sponge is then immersed in a buffer solution of pH 4 to 5 for a time sufficient to equilibrate to uniform pH. The sponge formed by the above method is then moistened and self-administered in the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contraception wherein an applicator houses a fluid-expansible, hydrophilic, tampon material in its unactivated, compressed state separate from a reservoir of spermicide or medicament. The applicator preferably includes a manually frangible portion of the spermicide reservoir or a fluid communication passage to bring the spermicide into contact with the fluid-expansible tampon material upon command prior to use. After activating by moistening, the spermicide-impregnated, expanded tampon can be readily inserted into a vagina by use of the applicator. Preferably, the tampon is made from a body of purposefully-compressed, memory-retentive, hydrophilic material having a resilience and a high coefficient of expansion when moistened to act as a barrier to the os uteri, to fill the vaginal fornices and absorb ejaculate. Various shapes of the tampon are disclosed, as are methods of making and using the invention.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprises an absorbing material comprising a sheet containing water-absorbing polymer powder and two papers to fix said powder between them, a great number of slits being formed on said sheet, and fluff pulp layers sandwiching said sheet, among said two papers the paper which is close to the surface of the diaper where to contact with the skin being a high wet strength paper, the paper which is close to the back face of the diaper being a low wet strength paper.

Abstract: A wound healing material having blood coagulation Factor XIII fixed thereto. This material promotes the formation of stabilized fibrin at a wound site and is effective for a long period of time, thereby protecting the wound and promoting its healing.

Abstract: An inflatable and deflatable balloon catheter is disclosed. The inflatable chamber of the catheter is supported about an elongated support member of small diameter. One end of the support member is rotatable relative to the chamber wherein the chamber is adapted to being compactly twisted about the support member upon swiveling or rotation of the support member. The compactly twisted chamber has a small diameter whereby insertion of the catheter through a small incision and guiding thereof in a small body canal or passage is facilitated. A smooth-walled sheath of low friction material is disclosed for enclosing the twisted chamber to facilitate atraumatic entry of the catheter into the incision or body opening and for facilitating insertion and movement of the catheter. The support member is preferably made of a material which may be formed during use into a desired axial configuration by bending. Balloon catheters according to the present invention are advantageously used for intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Abstract: A vaginal cleaning device is made by introducing foamable reactants into a container which is closed with a closure member having an elongated handle integral therewith and extending into the container. The reactants are permitted to form a cured foam in the container surrounding at least a portion of the handle extending into the container and the gas generated is vented through a vent opening in the closure member.

Abstract: Process of forming and resultant multi-layer absorbent pad for use in disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers and the like, to absorb body fluids and being characterized by providing superior fluid transfer from a top uncompressed receiving layer to a bottom compressed layer and wicking and spreading action of the body fluids within the bottom layer to provide a drier top surface to the absorbent pad. The top layer is formed of fiberized cellulosic fibers including a cationic debonding agent provided therein prior to fiberization for obtaining more complete fiberization of the fibers and greater height and loft to the layer while producing resistance to normally-occurring hydrogen bonds between the fibers in the layer to resist compression of the layer and maintain the height and loft of the absorbent pad.

Abstract: Improved shaped polymeric articles, including ostomy seals, are obtained by radiation crosslinking an acrylamide polymer composition comprising a water-soluble acrylamide polymer plasticized with a quantity of a water-miscible polyol (containing water) that provides a soft, flexible and elastomeric composition.

Abstract: An osmotic therapeutic system for delivering a drug is disclosed. The system comprises a drug delivery module which module comprises a rate controlling laminated wall surrounding a reservoir and has a portal for delivering drug from the system. The laminated wall comprises a semipermeable lamina in laminar arrangement with a microporous lamina to provide a wall that is permeable to an external fluid, impermeable to drug and maintains its integrity during the delivery of drug. The reservoir contains a drug, or a mixture of drug and a solute which drug or solute is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid.

Abstract: An adhesive composition adapted for use with an ostomy appliance consisting of a mixture of a hydrocolloid gum, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a cohesive strengthening agent. The cohesive strengthening agent is either an inert natural or synthetic fibrous material, finely divided cellulose, a cross-linked dextran, a cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, or a starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer.

Abstract: A pack for moist patient therapy comprising, a wet dressing having an absorbent layer for placement toward a patient, and a backing sheet of liquid impervious material covering a back surface of the layer. The pack has an envelope of liquid and bacteria impervious material defining a closed cavity, with the dressing being received in the cavity. The pack also has a sterile liquid received in the cavity in sufficient volume to impregnate the absorbent layer of the dressing.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A catheter or like instrument having a variable flexural modulus for insertion into the body includes a length of flexible tubing having a normally relatively low flexural modulus. A first lumen inside the tubing provides a free flow path therethrough. Associated with the catheter tubing for controllably increasing its flexural modulus is a second lumen having a closed distal end and a proximal end adapted to be connected to a pressure source. An increase in pressure inside the second lumen serves to increase the flexural modulus of the catheter tubing to stiffen the same particularly during insertion of the tubing into the body. After insertion of the same, the pressure is controllable so that the catheter tubing is allowed to return to its normally low flexural modulus.

Abstract: A synthetic nonabsorbable surgical suture compound of segmented polyether--ester block copolymers is disclosed.

Abstract: An incontinent garment is constructed to selectively mount either a disposable liner or a reusable liner interchangeably, without discomfort to the wearer. The garment body has male snap fastener elements arranged along its upper edge for receiving mating female snap fasteners carried by reusable liners. The garment body is also adapted to mount a disposable liner by means of self-adhering strips, leaving the male snap fastener elements exposed for contact with the wearer's body. The garment also includes separate auxiliary straps mounting female snap fasteners arranged to engage with and cover over the male snap fasteners when a disposable liner is mounted in the garment.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of an absorbent material, and an elongated visually detectable element at least partially located on an outer surface of the sheet, with the element being non-wettable and of a color which contrasts with the color of blood to significantly increase the visibility of the sponge in a patient's body when saturated by body fluids.