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.

Abstract: A self-powered device for dispensing a medicament is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a rigid housing defining an internal space, (2) a container in the housing formed of a stretched polymer and having a passageway connecting the container with the exterior of the device, (3) a medicament in the container, and (4) an expandable laminate surrounding the container position between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina of a swellable, hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological fluid environment, fluid therefrom is imbibed by the laminate into the housing, causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby shrinking the container to an unstretched state, which decreases its volume and concomitantly pumps medicament through the passageway at a controlled rate over time.

Abstract: An intrauterine system for releasing beneficial agent to the uterus at a controlled and continuous rate for a prolonged period of time is disclosed. The system is shaped, sized and adapted for insertion and retention in the uterus. The system contains a beneficial agent and it is formed of a copolymeric material permeable to the passage of agent by diffusion. The material is an ethylene-vinyl ester polymer of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl of 2 to 7 carbons, or aryl, m is (4 to 80)% by weight and n is (100-m)% by weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling blood or other material between the time a sample thereof is removed from the patient and the time the sample is presented to the laboratory for placement on a slide or in other test structure for analysis. More specifically, a blood handling container basically cylindrical in shape and rigid enough in construction to be evacuated and with a mid-section that is flexible after filling the container with blood. The flexible section may be chemically different from the end portions or having structurally different shapes such as ribbed support members. Said device being air tight so as to be capable of maintaining a vacuum therein. One or both the ends of said device being composed of a stopper such as rubber or other useful material that is easily pierceable by a hollow needle for filling or discharging.

Abstract: A new concept of pregnancy and disease prevention is provided by a medicated tampon in the form of a soft, porous foam ball, which is easily insertable into the vagina to cover the cervical area and which is impregnated with a safe spectrum of antibiotics for control of venereal disease and with a contraceptive for control of pregnancy. The tampon may be inserted before intercourse to remain in place during intercourse.

Abstract: The tie-down properties of multifilament surgical sutures are improved by coating the suture with a composition comprising a gel of a fatty acid salt in a volatile organic solvent. The gel is prepared by refluxing the fatty acid salt in the organic solvent. Sutures coated with the gel are dried to remove the solvent and deposit a residue of the fatty acid salt on the suture. Sutures coated with from 1 to 5 percent by weight of the dry fatty acid salt are characterized by a smooth knot tie-down under both wet and dry conditions.

Abstract: A magnetically driven pump system designed for use with a body-implantable heart-assist device. The system includes a body-implantable bellows-type pump adapted to transfer fluid to and from the heart-assist device, and a driving unit effective to drive the pump by magnetic coupling across the surface of the body.

Abstract: A chronic transcutaneous implant device for enterostomies is disclosed. The implant device is comprised of a barrel portion and flange portion. The barrel portion is provided with means to enable vascularization of the externalized vessel and the flange portion is provided with means to enable the formation of a vascularized biological anchor. The implant device is capable of being permanently positioned under the skin. The implant device is provided with a detachable bag member which functions to receive excrements exiting the externalized vessel.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco is made from the whole tobacco plant by first separating the woody stalk portion and leaf portion of the plant. The stalk portion is refined, or beaten, apart from the leaf portion to reduce it to pieces which can bond to form a paper-like sheet. The leaf portion is refined to a lesser extent to similarly reduce it. The stalk and leaf portions are combined and formed into a paper-like sheet by a conventional papermaking technique. At least the leaf portion is extracted before refining to separate it into a soluble extract and a fibrous residue, the extract later being introduced into the paper-like sheet. The stalk alone may be refined for a period of time after which the unrefined leaf portion is added to it and the combined stalk and leaf portions then refined together. A part of the stalk portion may be discarded, and conventional non-tobacco papermaking fiber added to the stalk and leaf portions prior to making the paper-like sheet.

Abstract: Means for administering an amphipathic medicament by micelle solubilization is disclosed. The micelle consists of a nonionic surfactant medicament adduct. The adduct is coated onto an osmotically effective solute and housed in an osmotic therapeutic system for administering the medicament in a therapeutically effective amount over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A holder for facilitating the hygienic insertion of a suppository within the rectum of an animal. The holder includes a relatively large receptacle attached to a harness which secures it to the animal. A smaller enclosure for housing a suppository is positioned within the large receptacle. Due to the construction of the holder, a suppository may be administered without directly contacting either the animal or the suppository. The receptacle is detachable from the harness, and may also serve as an excrement collector.

Abstract: An inexpensive, disposable rectal catheter which safely, gently and securely anchors the neck of a plastic bag within the patient's rectum. The device is of such simple construction that it may be both inserted and removed by the patient with one hand. The device features a stool-collecting bag having a narrow neck opening which is folded about a retaining member in the form of a cannula having a plurality of flexible, outwardly biased flanges which act to securely hold the neck of the bag against the inner wall of the rectum. To insert the retainer, an obturator is coupled to the tips of the flanges to hold same inwardly during insertion into the patient's rectum. The obturator is then removed, leaving the bag and retainer in place, which may be easily withdrawn after completion of a bowel movement by the patient.

Abstract: A naso-gastric feeding device is disclosed which includes a highly flexible feeding tube carried inside of a semi-flexible guide tube. The guide tube is inserted into the patient and then fluid is forced through the guide tube into the patient carrying with it the feeding tube. The guide tube is then withdrawn so that only the feeding tube is left in the patient with feeding taking place therethrough.

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: Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape closures for diapers or other garments are formed from backing strips which are divided into three portions of roughly equal area. One end portion and one of the other portions are surfaced with pressure-sensitive adhesive, while the remaining portion is surfaced with a release material; the latter two portions are folded together. In use, the first end portion is adhered to one garment border, a second border juxtaposed or overlapped, the folded portion of the closure then unfolded, and the thus-exposed adhesive surface adhered to the second border. These closures may be formed by cutting parallel strips across an elongate sheet of appropriately configured convolutely wound adhesive-coated sheet material.

Abstract: A steam sterilizable copolymer is prepared from 60 to 50% by weight of alpha methyl styrene and 40 to 50% by weight of methyl methacrylate. The copolymer is useful to make the barrel of syringe which is clear, water-white and shows no distortion upon steam sterilization for at least 20 minutes at 250.degree. F.

Abstract: There is disclosed a laser instrument which uses an infrared fiber optical waveguide to transmit a high power carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide laser beam for treating a selected part of the body. In one important application of the instrument, the laser beam is transmitted to the interior of the human body to perform surgical functions.

Abstract: A surgical drape comprising a main sheet, a liquid impervious bag for collecting liquids such as blood and saline, and means for channeling liquids into the bag for storage. In a preferred embodiment the bag also includes a liquid pervious retainer means for holding articles such as sponges which are to be counted when the surgical procedure is finished. Optionally, the drape may have a reinforcing panel or a fenestration or both. The fenestration may be covered with a closure means, such as a thin film, which carries adhesive on its bottom surface.

Abstract: A pliers-like device to facilitate certain surgical procedures, such as coaptation of the surgically split sternum, for thrusting a needle having a coaxial suture through tough tissue. The device has two elongate jaws, mechanically articulated at one end for opposable action by manual operation. The free end of the upper jaw is forked and the free end of the lower jaw has a socket to hold the needle in direction toward the fork. Features of the invention include a channel to accommodate the suture and a kerf to facilitate insertion of the suture into the socket. An optional improvement on the device provides a clamp to releasibly clamp the needle in the socket by the action of a spring-biased pin controlled by an accessory lever.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly, a release sheet on a surface of the pad assembly adjacent a side edge, a tape strip having a first portion secured to the surface of the pad assembly, a securement portion releasably attached to the release sheet, and an extensible central portion connecting the first and securement portions.