Abstract: A cannula as part of a biopsy instrument set is provided, which has a mandrin guided in the cannula and a seal arranged in the interior of cannula for ease of handling to ensure that a clearly defined tissue or tissue fluid quantity is removed from the interior of a body.

Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent article such as a diaper provided with an absorbent core; a liquid impervious backsheet; a first barrier cuff disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge of the absorbent article and each having a first proximal edge and a first distal edge; a spacing means for spacing the first distal edge of each of the first barrier cuffs away from the liquid-receiving surface of the absorbent article; and a second barrier cuff disposed adjacent at least one and preferably adjacent each of the end edges of the absorbent article and having a second proximal edge and a second distal edge, the distal edges of the barrier cuffs overlapping at corner points to form a containment pocket. The spacing means preferably comprises a spacing elastic member that extends longitudinally along the first distal edge beyond the second distal edges.

Abstract: A washable reuseable sanitary panty designed to be worn during menses, normally occurring in non-pregnant women about every four weeks, from menarche to menopause. The sanitary panty is intended to be worn with a tampon or sanitary napkin to prevent leakage and soiling of outer garments. The panty comprises a highly elastic woven or knit fiber outer covering configured in the shape of a panty and a contiguous non-woven plastic film inner layer extending through the crotch, the inner layer being liquid water impermeable/water vapor permeable and of at least equal non-directional elasticity as the outer covering. In the preferred embodiment the panty is constructed of a spandex polyurethane fiber outer covering and a soft smooth microporous plastic film inner layer sewn to the outer layer. Both the outer and inner layer as well as the stitching are substantially unaffected by repeated washing and heated drying without the need for special care.

Abstract: A device is formed with two hinged half-collars for opening and closing around the breast, which half-collars have specifically contoured inside surfaces which surfaces correlate to orthogonally projected curves which intersect at an angle slightly less than 180.degree. but not less than about 160.degree. over the useful clamping of the half-collars, to effectively clamp the breast while avoiding pinching during clamping of the half-collars on the breast.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprises an elastomeric nonwoven outer cover, including a pair of leg openings, front and rear waist sections fastenable with one another defining a waist opening, a crotch section situated between the leg openings and opposed front and rear panels separated by the crotch section. An absorbent insert structure is superposable on the outer cover and has opposed longitudinal ends thereof attached to the waist sections in selected waist attachment zones. An elastic integration member has upper and lower borders respectively attached to an associated one of the longitudinal ends and an associated waist section, allowing the upper border of the elastic member to stretch independently with the outer cover in the cross-body direction while the lower border of the member remains fixed with the insert.

Abstract: A localization needle assembly includes an outer tubular cannula and an inner needle slidably mounted for movement within the outer cannula between extended and retracted portions, the needle having a pointed tip which projects from the front end of the assembly when the needle is extended while the surgeon locates a lesion. When the tip is retracted, a barb, which is secured to the needle, is deployed through an opening in the sidewall of the outer cannula when the needle is retracted, the barb anchoring the needle assembly in body tissue in the proximity of the lesion. Detachable handles are provided for locking the inner needle and outer cannula together and to facilitate extension and retraction of the needle. In one embodiment, the outer cannula has a helical screw tip for securing the needle assembly to a body organ or body tissue.

Abstract: The present invention a catheter obturator including a stopper having a bore formed therethrough, a tube of resilient material connected at one end with the stopper to communicate with the bore in the stopper, the opposite end of the tube being closed, and manipulating means including a rigid rod adapted to be inserted into the tube, whereby when the rigid rod is moved forwardly in the tube, the latter can be elongated to facilitate the insertion of the tube into a catheter while when the rigid rod is removed out of the tube, the latter tends to return to its original form to fully close the internal bore of the catheter.

Abstract: A guide for the stiffening of a probe made of a flexible material is disposed in the probe during insertion of the probe into a body cavity, the guide being removed again after the probe has been inserted into the body cavity, the guide being a wire element provided with a coating of a biocompatible material of which at least the surface is hydrophilic.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pad for use as a baby diaper or an adult incontinent brief wherein the backing sheet of the diaper has a pair of continuous bands of adhesive arranged in a stepped generally longitudinal configuration thereon. An elastic band is disposed over the mid-portion of the adhesive being stepped to the side, out of contact with the elastic. When the pads are cut in the assembly process, only that portion of elastic in contact with the adhesive causes the pad to gather. The remaining end portions of the adhesive bands are secured to the intermediate layer of absorbent fluff material, helping it remain in place, and act as a fluid barrier on the sides of the absorbent pad.

Abstract: An improved medication administration system includes a series of one way valves disposed closely adjacent and in direct fluid communication with an auxiliary IV line leading to a patient. A plurality of syringes filled with various selected medications are each secured in a tray against axial and lateral movement by depressing them into correspondingly dimensioned longitudinal grooves. The flanges of the syringes abut a lip of the tray to further restrict axial movement. The nozzles of the syringes are connected to the inlets of the valves so that medication can be adminstered intravenously by simply depressing the appropriate syringe plunger. The tray is surrounded by a supporting outer box which includes retractable clamps for fastening the tray to an operating table. A second similarly shaped box is adapted to be clipped to the first box or clamped to the table. The second box can contain miscellaneous medical equipment.

Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent article such as a diaper provided with an absorbent core, a liquid impervious backsheet, an elastically contractible gasketing cuff preferably formed by a gasketing flap and a flap elastic member, a barrier cuff having a flap portion and a channel portion comprising a proximal edge and a distal edge, and a liquid pervious topsheet. The topsheet extends outwardly toward the edge of the absorbent core and terminates inwardly of the proximal edge. A seal means for adjoining the proximal edge to the gasketing flap is positioned along the proximal edge so as to provide a leakage-resistant seal along the proximal edge. The barrier cuffs may be provided with spacing means for spacing the distal edges away from the liquid-receiving surface so as to enhance the containment characteristics of the barrier cuffs.

Abstract: A cannula for insertion into a body incision is provided with a tip having an opening in the sidewall and a pair of recesses in the outer surface of the tip forming a longitudinally extending ridge on one side on the tip for facilitating the insertion of the tip into the incision and dilating the incision.

Abstract: A vena cava filter for preventing migration of venous clots into the pulmonary circulation is disclosed. The filter comprises a tubular body, the wall surface of which is partitioned by a pattern of slots into a latticework to render the tubular body radially expandable; a head piece affixed to the circumference of the distal end of the tubular body; and a plurality of tines affixed in substantially uniform circumferential spacing about the proximal end of the tubular body. The filter is delivered to the inferior vena cava by catheter means. The filter is deployed to an affixed position within the caval lumen by radial expansion to its operative diameter by balloon expansion of a balloon catheter.

Abstract: A delivery device for depositing an exogenous fibrin clot into a wound site during an arthroscopic surgical operation. The delivery device having a tubular body and plunger. The body including a large internal diameter collection chamber and a small internal diameter ejection chamber with an internal frusto-conical transition chamber positioned therebetween. The plunger having a rear tamping knob on one end and an ejection tip on the other end. The rear knob having a matching frusto-conical portion used for tamping the fibrin clot material from the collection chamber into the ejection chamber. The tip of the plunger being insertable into the injection chamber to push the fibrin clot material out of the delivery device. The plunger also having a forward stop knob which limits the depth of insertion of the plunger into the body. The tip of the plunger when fully inserted extends axially beyond the end of the ejection chamber.

Abstract: A urethral catheter comprising a tube having openings at both ends and at least a portion of the tube having a flexural wall formation permitting compliance of the wall with the urethral shape in use. Longitudinal flexion in the oval-shaped tube is reduced optionally by incorporating a thickened wall portion extending along the catheter about the minor axis thereof, and/or flexural compliance in the lateral direction is reduced optionally by providing a thickened wall portion about the major axis. The catheter is suitable for male patients, and the wall formation can be selected for satisfactory performance under a number of different conditions.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device for controlling the flow of fluid from one region of the body to be drained to another region. The device includes a rigid cartridge combined with an elastomeric valve element. The design of the cartridge and valve element are such that the cartridge incorporates a seat and when the valve element is properly positioned within the valve body by a novel positioning arrangement it has sufficient spring force to push against the seat, thus creating a seal. The valve element ensures uni-directional flow as well as creating a set resistance to that flow. The unit can be easily assembled without the use of adhesives and in one configuration, the valve can be "tuned" to a desired pressure as a final assembly step. Combining two of the basic valving assemblies in series with an elastomeric section therebetween results in a valve system which can actively pump fluid downstream by squeezing the central connecting section.

Abstract: A single-use, self-annulling syringe is disclosed that is rendered inoperative after a single use without requiring any deliberate action on the part of a user. The injection device uses a hydrophilic expansion plug positioned in the outlet flow channel of the syringe, which expands a short time after being exposed to a drug containing water, thereby rendering the syringe inoperative.

Abstract: A disposable applicator for treating blepharitis in the human eye includes a handle having at least one mildly abrasive, porous sponge impregnated with at least one antimicrobial agent or antimicrobial agent combined with a soap or detergent such as an antibiotic or PVP-I.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a lumen containing a plurality of dosage delivery devices. The wall is formed of an environment sensitive material that releases the dosage forms into the environment. The dosage forms comprise a semipermeable wall surrounding a compartment containing drug. A passageway through the semipermeable wall releases drug from the dosage form to the environment.

Abstract: Disposal apparatus for the safe disposal of a medicinal needle after use utilizing a container with a vacuum therein and a piston attached to one of the needles which protrudes ready for use. After use of the needle, one side of the piston is exposed to ambient pressure and the needle is retracted into the container for safe disposal.