Abstract: There is provided an improved rongeur having a jaw mechanism comprised of a barrel member having a honed cutting edge on one extremity thereof and having a shaft member located within and arranged for reciprocal motion. On the shaft member there is provided a plate member attached at one extremity to trap bone against the cutting edge. A lever mechanism is provided having paired handle levers joined by a pivot and having the barrel and shaft member attached to the handle levers between the handle portion and the pivot. On the shaft member there is further provided a cavity arranged to slide within the barrel progressively as the cutting operation proceeds, gradually drawing severed bone within the capturing cavity. Stop surfaces are located in the cutting area at a position relative to the cutting edge to avoid direct force contact on the cutting edge when the shaft member is reciprocated to its full extent within the barrel member.

Abstract: A disposable treated insert for use with a supporter, brief, undergarment or the like having an insert body member of foam material treated with fungicide and deodorant materials and comprising a lower pouch portion for enclosing and supporting male genitals and an upper panel portion for conforming the body member to an adjacent body surface to stabilize the position of the pouch portion when held in position by support means.

Abstract: An adjustable diaper has a generally rectangular body portion of a flexible, sheet-like material. The diaper has a front part with two pairs of openings which are elongated in the direction parallel to the sides of the body portion. The openings of each pair are near one side of the body portion and are the same distance from the one side. The openings of each pair are spaced-apart in a direction extending from the front end of the body portion so the openings coincide when the body portion is folded parallel to the front end between the openings of each said pair. A pair of strap members extend from each side of the body portion near the back end and include hook and loop fasteners for releasably securing each strap member to the back part of the body portion when each strap member extends through at least one of the openings and is doubled back to the back part of the body portion.

Abstract: Tool and method for turning or steering an angioplasty guide wire as it is inserted into the body of a patient. The tool has a body of resilient material with a slit in which the guide wire is received. The slit opens through the side of the body, and the tool can be attached to the wire from the side. An outer sleeve encircles the resilient body, with a slot through which the wire is inserted and removed, and the resilient body is compressed by the sleeve to hold the slit closed and grip the wire tightly. The wire is turned or steered by gripping the outer sleeve and rotating the tool about its axis.

Abstract: A shortened tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type employs an ejector tube to store a tampon in its distal end and an outer tube disposed by a slip fit thereover to thus shorten the overall length of the tampon and applicator assembly. Directionally-locking inward flaps fixed within the distal end of said outer tube engage the distal end of the tampon stored in the ejector tube thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. The ejector tube preferably has inwardly biased flexible portions at its distal end which serve to catch behind the proximal end of the tampon. In the preferred version, the inwardly biased portions are unique undulations at the blunt distal end of the ejector tube.

Abstract: A fluid channelling pad is comprised of a padded portion for substantially covering a work surface. A member extends from the perimeter of the padded portion and has at least a portion thereof extending upwardly. The upwardly extending portion is displaced from the padded portion a predetermined distance to form a channel to control the flow of fluids.

Abstract: There is provided a novel drug delivery system which provides for intermittent drug delivery with readily adjustable intervals between drug delivery pulses. This is accomplished by providing a multilayer device in which layers of active drug are readily expandable or erodable when contacted with the environment in which the drug is to be administered. The drug layer is alternated with an inert layer and a multiplicity of such layers are contained within a tube impervious to such environment but provided with an opening into such environment. The multiplicity of such layers is driven along the length of such tube towards the opening. The interval between pulses is determined by the rate the layers are driven along the tube and the sizes of the layers. The duration of the pulse is determined by the rate of expansion or dispersion of the active layer into the environment, wherein the rate of expansion or dispersion is greater than the rate the layers are driven along the tube.

Abstract: An absorbent pad is provided which includes an absorbent layer which serves as a reservoir for liquid and has a liquid impervious barrier over one surface thereof. The liquid is applied to the opposite surface of the barrier and is conducted by means of wicking material to the sides of the barrier and into the absorbent layer. This arrangement enhances drying of the upper surface of the barrier and wicking material shortly after application of the liquid. A hydrophobic porus of open weave material can be provided over the wicking material to protect it and to provide a surface through which the liquid can reach the wicking material and the barrier sheet. The barrier sheet can have multiple channels formed in the liquid receiving surface thereof to disperse the liquid toward the edges thereof.

Abstract: A disposable double-clamp device for severing an umbilical cord while maintaining the severed ends thereof in a clamp. Two clamps are held together in a side-by-side relation by a shear pin. A cutting blade is located between the abutting clamps, its forward cutting motion being impeded by said shear pin. After the device is brought into a clamped position, further pressure is exerted upon the blade, which breaks the shear pin. A wedge on the blade provides outward lateral pressure to the two clamps, thereby stretching the umbilical conduit at the end of the cut as well as provide for clamp separation. The blade's cutting edge then easily cuts and severs the umbilical cord. Further downward pressure causes the wedge to separate both clamps, with the ends of each portion of the severed cord being clamped by one of the pair of clamps.

Abstract: A pacifier is disclosed having a light emitting diode whereby the pacifier may be located in the dark. The pacifier is also equipped with an internal light bulb, activated by squeezing the handle, so that the pacifier may be used as a flashlight in order to position it properly in a baby's mouth.

Abstract: The multidose syringe is provided with two pistons which are attached by a string to move simultaneously. A groove in the barrel for delivering fluid into and from the innermost fluid chamber is provided with baffles to create turbulence in the fluid flow to preclude entry of air into the fluid chamber between the pistons during filling of the syringe.

Abstract: A plunger having an oblong body with a front end and a rear end and a lancet having a cutting edge projecting axially from said body at the front end is insertable in a cylinder having an oblong hollow body with a front end, a rear end and an axial hole. The plunger of such a length and the lancet is so arranged that it protrudes a predetermined distance out of the cylinder at the front end when the plunger is inserted thereby defining an operative cutting position. The plunger and cylinder have first engaging stop means arranged after partial insertion of the plunger, to temporarily prevent continued insertion at a predetermined initial position. The arresting function of the stop means is overcome by applying pressure on the plunger thereby pushing it the remaining distance into the cylinder from the initial position to the operative position.

Abstract: A baffle having a central zone extending along at least a portion of its length,A. the central zone being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 1 to about 3 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 50 to about 2,5000 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours,B. with the non-central zone portions of the baffle being impermeable to menses under a dead weight pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 1,500 to about 5,000 g/m.sup.2 /24/ hours;with the proviso that the water vapor transmission rate of the central zone is less than that of the non-central zone portions of the baffle.

Abstract: An intravaginal contraceptive device formed of a ring having a central sheet of resilient impermeable material sandwiched between two layers of foam rubber. The foam rubber traps sperm and bacteria in a vaginal recess for a time sufficient to be destoyed by the normal acid pH of the vaginal secretions. The ring defines the sheet material into a cup-shape with four sides, one pair of opposing sides including a wire core inwardly bent and another pair of sides with one outwardly rounded and the other having a fork configuration. A normally closed flap valve is formed in the sheet with an attached extension for opening the flap.

Abstract: An injection system and method for delivering fluids to a subcutaneous body site such as an analgesic to the ventricle is disclosed. A reservoir containing a plurality of doses of the fluid is adapted to be subcutaneously located in the abdomen. This reservoir is connected by a catheter to a subcutaneous unit containing a valve and a pump. This unit is then connected to the ventricle of the user. By the simultaneous actuation of the valve and the pump, the analgesic is pumped to the ventricle of the user. Preferably, the reservoir includes an expandable bag and a bubble member on the outermost surface of the bag which is penetrable by a small needle on the outersurface and impenetrable on the innersurface. A fluid passageway then connects the bag and the bubble member so that the bag is easily refilled. The pump and valve are preferably operated by flexible portions on the subcutaneous unit, which flexible portions are preferably recessed to prevent inadvertent actuation.

Abstract: An anatomically form fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a resiliently stretchable outer cover (20) with an absorbent structure (22) retained therein. The absorbent structure (22) has a resiliently stretchable bodyside liner (42) which causes the absorbent structure (22) to assume a body conforming shape. The disposable garment also features fixed position fasteners to fasten the garment around a wearer.

Abstract: A method of irrigation of a body cavity, promoting asepsis, in which an irrigant solution, preferably a solution of iodine, is introduced into an abdominal cavity, retained within the abdominal cavity until asepsis is achieved, and drained from the abdominal cavity. Preferably, the solution includes a local anesthetic and a binding agent such as glycol. A catheter apparatus particularly adapted for implementation of the irrigation method comprises a drainage means and an independent irrigation means. In the catheter, a first valve assembly is connected to the drainage means so that the drainage of fluid from the abdominal cavity may be selectively regulated. A second valve assembly provides for selective opening of the irrigation means to allow introduction of the irrigation solution into the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a resiliently stretchable outer cover (20), stretchable in two directions (67) (69), an absorbent structure (22) and fixed position, full-length fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20).

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment comprising a stretchable outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) comprising a liquid permeable bodyside liner (42), a liquid impermeable barrier (44) with an absorbent composite (38) disposed therebetween, respective ends of the absorbent structure (22) disposed within pockets (29) (31) formed from sections of stretchable outer cover (20). Fixed position point-to-point fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) are attached to outer cover (20).

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diaper with a stretchable outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) and fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20).