Abstract: A self-powered device is disclosed for delivering a useful agent. The device comprises (1) a housing member, (2) a variable volume chamber storing a useful agent and having a passageway for delivering the agent in the housing, and (3) a pressure generating member comprising a semipermeable polymer having a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer dispersed therein positioned between the housing and the chamber. In operation, when the device is in a fluid environment, fluid from the environment enters the housing and is imbibed by the hydrophilic polymer into the generator, causing the generator to enlarge and apply pressure against the chamber, thereby decreasing the volume of the chamber and simultaneously dispensing agent through the passageway from the device at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time. An article of manufacture also is disclosed which consists of a pressure generating member manufactured as a film useful for making a dispensing device.

Abstract: A self-powered device for delivering drug is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a substantially rigid housing, (2) a collapsible container storing a drug and having a passageway for delivering the drug in the housing, and (3) an expandable laminate positioned between the housing and the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina formed of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina placed adjacent to the container and formed of a swellable hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological environment, fluid from the environment is imbibed by the laminate into the housing causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby collapsing the container and concomitantly pumping drug through the passageway from the device at a correspondingly controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A gas-venting filter assembly for a collection device such as a colostomy pouch includes an outwardly extending recess in a wall of the pouch which is bridged by a filter unit that is designed for the free flow of gas therethrough. Preferably, the pouch recess is provided with an aperture in the form of a slit which provides suitable venting in normal use. Pressure build-up within the collection device resulting in ballooning of the device and/or discomfort to the wearer is avoided while at the same time protecting the filter assembly in use, and also facilitating leakage testing during manufacturing.

Abstract: An osmotic system for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed. The system comprises a wall surrounding a compartment and has a passageway through the wall for delivering agent from the compartment. The wall is formed of a material permeable to the passage of an external fluid and impermeable to the passage of agent. The compartment contains (1) an agent that is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid, or (2) the compartment contains an agent having limited solubility in the fluid and exhibits a limited osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid. The compartment also contains along with (1) or (2) a volume amplifier for increasing the amount of agent delivered from the system. The amplifier comprises a membrane surrounding a gas generating couple with the membrane formed of an expandable material permeable to fluid and impermeable to the couple.

Abstract: A radiopaque blood vessel marker is provided for attachment to the side wall portions of a blood vessel during, for example, a coronary by-pass operation. The markers in the preferred embodiment are flattened, oval-shaped radiopaque discs which are attached to the outer peripheral wall portion of the blood vessel at one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) with respect to one another (See FIG. 3). Each radiopaque marker can be comprised of a central imbedded element of radiopaque material such as tantilum which is surrounded by a suitable plastic or like resinous material which is inert and acceptable for use within the human body. During a coronary by-pass, for example, these markers could be attached by suturing or like means to the vein graft which is itself sutured into its new position during the by-pass operation.

Abstract: An externally applied penile catheter providing an inflatable air chamber extending over and around the penile glans and shaft and applying a uniform pressure thereto for holding the catheter in place and being connected to one end of the drainage tube, the structure additionally co-functioning to anchor the end of the drainage tube in substantial abutment with and in registration with the urethral meatus.

Abstract: Therapeutic system in the form of a skin patch that administers clonidine transdermally in an initial priming dose of 10 to 300 mcg/cm.sup.2 of skin that brings the concentration of clonidine in the blood to a level sufficient to elicit alpha-adrenergic stimulation without intolerable side effects, followed by a substantially constant continuous dosage in the range of 0.1 to 100 mcg/hr that maintains said level. The system is a four-layer laminate of, from the top: a protective backing; a gelled, mineral oil-polyisobutene-clonidine reservoir lamina that is the source of the clonidine for the continuous constant dosage; a microporous membrane that controls the constant dosage rate; and a gelled, mineral oil-polyisobutene-clonidine contact adhesive layer that is the source of the clonidine for the priming dose and the means by which the system is attached to the skin.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a absorbent product for absorbing and retaining body fluids of the kind having a body facing side and a garment facing side and comprising an elongated, planar absorbent pad. The pad is enveloped in a generally rectangular menstrual fluid pervious wrapper with the longitudinal edges of the wrapper overlapping on the garment facing side of the product. A generally rectangular menstrual fluid impervious barrier sheet is sandwiched between the wrapper and the pad. The barrier sheet overlies the garment facing side of the pad and at least the longitudinal side edges of the pad. At least two menstrual fluid barrier seal lines are provided extending longitudinally with the product and sealing the longitudinal edge portions of the barrier sheet to the cover. The seals will prevent menstrual fluid from transferring, either by wicking or by seeping, across the seal line, thereby insuring that the garment facing side of the napkin is free of menstrual fluid.

Abstract: An osmotic system is disclosed for dispensing a beneficial agent. The system comprises (1) a first wall of a semipermeable material that surrounds a compartment containing a drug formulation, and has a passageway through the wall for releasing agent from the compartment, (2) a second wall positioned distant from the first wall, said second wall a microporous or hydrogel material that extends around the first wall, and (3) a distribution zone interposed between the first and second wall and initially housing a compound soluble in an external fluid that enters the system.In operation, agent is dispensed from the system by fluid passing through the second wall into the zone from which fluid is further being imbibed through the first wall into the compartment forming a solution that is released through the passageway into the zone, and then through the second wall to the exterior of the system.

Abstract: Disposable contraceptive intravaginal cervical barriers of one, two, three, four, or five layers in the form of standard pessaries with at least one layer impervious to the passage of sperm, with a medicament such as spermicide, germicide, or an abortion inducing agent either impregnated into a foam plastic layer or in the form of a layer of gel or powder, said medicament being activatable upon contact with an aqueous solution.Methods of producing disposable contraceptive barriers either as a wet foam plastic method wherein medicament is added to liquid foam and the resulting mixture is formed in a mold with any subsequent layers then added, or as a dry foam plastic method wherein layers including a layer of medicament in the form of a gel or a powder are superposed in sequence and formed in a die.

Abstract: A porous shaped article adapted for medicinal use is disclosed which comprises a porous regenerated cellulose the entire surface of which is covered with a coating comprising a hydrophilizingly effective amount of at least one wetting agent and a substantially water insoluble chemically modified cellulose ether which is crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose or a reaction product of a partially etherified cellulose and a chemical modifying agent which is capable of reacting with the free hydroxy groups of the etherified cellulose.The articles are coated by first impregnating same with a cellulose ether solution and then treating the impregnated article with a solution of the modifying agent. The wetting agent may be added to either of these steps.The coated articles retain a high absorption capacity for liquids, yet do not release any substantial amounts of turbidifying impurities into a surrounding liquid and therefore are especially suited for medical uses.

Abstract: In a method of uniting axially aligned rod-like articles by wrapping a wrapper section around the junction between the articles, an air flow is used to move the articles into abutment and to axially align them relative to the wrapper section. Principally for use in making filter cigarettes, suction may be applied to the ends of the flutes of an aligning drum which feeds filter portions and tobacco sections onto the rolling plate. The suction preferably moves the filter portion against a stop in its flute, and acts through the filter portion to close up the tobacco section.

Abstract: A smokable material for the tobacco industry, characterized in that it is formed in its major part with coherent spheroidal aggregates of entangled tobacco fibers having no preferential direction.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter capable of selectively removing irritating materials and unpleasant bitter components from tobacco smoke and containing as a filter element nitrogen-containing activated carbon fibers produced by oxidizing acrylonitrile polymer fibers and then activating the oxidized fibers.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin including a stiffening means which because of its resilient properties enables the napkin to lie flat and help it to retain a large degree of its original configuration even after it is subjected to the type of compressive forces that occur during use, is disclosed.

Abstract: A preconnection system wherein the catheter is sealed to the drainage tube adaptor by a "tamper-evident" shrink band or wrap during the manufacture and assembly of the components and prior to sterilization. The shrink band incorporates a tear strip with a gripping tab, both of which overlie the adaptor in a recess formed at the juncture between the adaptor and catheter funnel.

Abstract: An improved fibrous filter is disclosed which is useful for removing harmful chemicals from tobacco smoke. This filter is characterized as containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight-chain, branched or cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon radical.

Abstract: An infusion apparatus and method employs an infusate reservoir connected by way of a first flow restrictor to a mixing chamber and a second infusate reservoir connected via a second flow path having a selected restriction characteristic to the same mixing chamber so that infusate may be conveyed to the mixing chamber in different concentrations or in different types. A normally closed valve is provided in the second flow path so that the two infusates supplement one another in the mixing chamber only when the valve is opened. The reservoir and chamber volumes, infusate concentrations and chamber outlet flow rates are dimensioned to provide an integrated dosage profile suited to the patient. The apparatus can also include an accumulator with a restricted inlet in the second flow path situated between the second reservoir and the valve so that when the valve is opened, infusate flows to the mixing chamber from the second flow path only if the accumulator has been replenished from the second reservoir.

Abstract: A cast comprised of an outer layer of casting material composed of epsilon polycapriolactone reinforced by a cotton mesh, an inner cotton stockinette, and a layer of padding material composed of medium to high density closed cell elastic sheet foam having an adhesive bearing surface in contact with the stockinette to adhere thereto and the opposed surface in contact with the outer layer for bonding thereto upon thermoforming of the casting material in situ. The cast is especially suited for usage as a removable monovalve cast incident to intermediate phase orthopedic rehabilitation.

Abstract: Surgical implements, surgical instruments, surgical sponges, surgical implantable devices and indwelling therapeutic devices and materials may be detected within the human body or other area of interest by incorporating or adding a radiofrequency transponder. Non-linear mixing of two or more frequencies in a radiofrequency transponder is used. The transponder may be a small film deposition of Ferrite material exhibiting gyromagnetic resonance at selected frequencies or a solid state device.