Abstract: A disposable diaper has a pressure sensitive adhesive surface formed on the outer surface thereof adapted to engage the inside surface of an infant's outer body garment to thereby secure the garment to the diaper such that it overlies and protects the infant's midsection.

Abstract: A single cardiac ventricular assistance device intended to integrate the ctions of a ventricular assistance device (V.A.D.) proper and of an aortic balloon pump (IABP) includes a single energy source which causes the simultaneous rhythmic contraction of two chambers which are intended to be filled with blood. One of the contractible chambers has two one-way valves for the inlet and outlet of the blood respectively, while the other has a single inlet-outlet connector without valves for connection to the outlet of the first chamber downstream of its outlet-valve portion.

Abstract: The device comprises a scleral contact lens (1) for locating and supporting the device on the eye and has an optical system with at least one discrete light source, e.g. an optical fiber (9) or a light emitting diode, and at least one discrete light receiver, e.g. an optical fiber (10) or a photodetector, mounted within a carrier (6) on the scleral contact lens (1). The device may be used for spectrophotometric analysis of the retina (31) enabling it to be used in a wide variety of diagnostic and monitoring techniques. In a further arrangement (FIGS. 5 and 6) the device may be used to provide infra-red pupillometry. Further sensing devices may also be provided on the contact lens (1).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a swab for use in laparoscopy is provided. The swab comprises an outer, generally tubular shank with a handle or gripping end and a working end. An inner shaft is slidably received in the shank and has a working end and a gripping end. A changeable, disposable absorbent tip is operably connected to the working end of the shaft. The swab includes a biasing means at the gripping ends of the shank and shaft for urging the absorbent tip toward the gripping ends.

Abstract: A urinary collector for women comprising a urinary collector body formed of soft, flexible water-proof material, the collector body including a first or upper portion forming a water-permeable skin contacting face having a cup-like member associated therewith for fitting snugly to the vulva and receiving a urinary flow. The cup-like member is formed of a flexible water permeable material so as to allow urine to pass therethrough. The collector body also includes a second opposite or lower portion forming a urinary flow chamber, the urinary flow chamber being separated from the skin contacting face by a water impermeable membrane. A moisture absorbent material is located between the water impermeable membrane and the skin contacting face. The urinary flow chamber is packed with a hydrophobic material having a plurality of passages therethrough and is also provided with a urinary discharge outlet, the packed hydrophobic material maintaining the shape of the device when fitted for use.

Abstract: A pressure dressing for use in the treatment of an auricular hematoma or other ear injury is formed from a thin strip of ductile metal having first and second spaced end portions which are joined by a central connector portion. A pair of foam sponge pads are adhesively affixed to an inner surface of the first and second end portions. In use, the connector portion is reversely bendable to position the pressure pads in closely spaced, substantially adjacent relation on opposing sides of the ear. The pads engage with opposing sides of the ear and exert pressure thereon so that blood does not reaccumulate in the injured area. The dressing may further include one or more tongue or arm portions which extend outwardly from the end portions and are bendable over and around the cartilaginous rim portions of the ear to maintain the dressing in position during periods of physical activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously monitoring cardiac output based upon the phase shift between an input signal and a temperature signal indicative of the change in temperature of blood leaving the heart. In a first preferred embodiment of a cardiac output monitoring system (10), a catheter (14) is provided with an electrical resistance heater (22). An electrical current having a sinusoidal wave form with a period of from 30 to 60 seconds is applied to the heater, causing power to be dissipated into the blood within a patient's heart (12). A temperature sensor (24) disposed near a distal end of the catheter produces a signal indicative of the temperature of blood leaving the heart. The temperature signal and the signal corresponding to the electrical power dissipated in the heater (an input signal) are filtered at a frequency .omega. corresponding to the frequency of the applied electrical current, i.e., the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: A method for converting a value for the partial pressure of oxygen (pO.sub.2) in blood at a measurement temperature to a corresponding value at a reference temperature (37.degree. C.). A value for pO.sub.2 is determined by measurements made in a patient's blood stream using a phosphorescent compound that is sensitive to the concentration of oxygen. The phosphorescent compound is illuminated with a short pulse of light, causing it to produce a phosphorescent emission having a rate of decay that varies as the function of the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood surrounding the phosphorescent compound. A detector produces an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the phosphorescent emission, and the electrical signal is converted to a corresponding digital value for input to a microcomputer. Also supplied to the microcomputer in digital form is a signal indicative of the temperature at the measurement site where the phosphorescent compound is disposed.

Abstract: A ventricle assist device for placement within a living body and including a self contained drive motor for generating pumping action with respect to a hydraulic pumping fluid. The ventricle assist device includes a ventricle having a blood chamber and a pumping chamber and an interconnect means coupled to the pumping chamber of the ventricle for receiving and displacing hydraulic fluid. A separate volume displacement chamber is attached to the interconnect means and provides a reservoir for excess hydraulic fluid for storage during diastole. A fluid pump and drive motor is positioned within the volume displacement chamber and connected at the interconnect means to supply the required pumping action for transfer of hydraulic fluid to and from the pumping chamber. Placement of the fluid pump and drive motor within the volume displacement chamber provides enhanced dissipation of heat from the energy conversion system and improved performance and durability.

Abstract: A method of calculating the required power of an intraocular lens to be implanted in an eye having the steps of measuring the axial length, preoperative anterior chamber depth and natural lens thickness of the eye, measuring and averaging corneal radii of curvature along a first axis and along a second axis normal to the first axis, calculating a lens locator constant from the axial length and the averaged corneal radii of curvature using a quadratic surface equation, determining a postoperative anterior chamber depth using the measured preoperative anterior chamber depth, the measured natural lens thickness and the calculated constant and calculating the required power of the intraocular lens and the predicted postoperative refraction using the postoperative anterior chamber depth.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed acoustic mechanism for an implantable hearing aid system having a signal processing unit having at least one electromechanical transducer coupled to the auditory system of a human. The transducer having an outer casing and at least one moving member extending outside the casing. The invention comprising a hermetically sealed bellows member having two ends and a generally cylindrical side wall. One end of the bellows member being hermetically affixed to the transducer casing and the other end of the bellows member being hermetically affixed to the moving member at a point outside the transducer casing. The side wall having a plurality of corrugations formed therein to allow the moving member to vibrate independently from the transducer casing while providing a hermetic seal protecting the interior of the transducer.

Abstract: An absorbent product, for use in absorbent articles, comprising an absorbent layer and a wicking layer of densified hydrophilic material. The absorbent layer comprises resilient hydrophilic fibers and superabsorbent material. The absorbent layer includes at least one area comprising a bulky fibrous structure having high void regions of low fiber density randomly distributed in the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved absorbent pad and thermal pack for absorbing a liquid discharged from a patient. The absorbent pad and thermal pad comprises an outer sheet made of a liquid impermeable material and an inner sheet of a liquid permeable material. An absorbent sheet is disposed between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. A flexible liquid impermeable container having a chemical mixture which undergoes an thermal reaction upon activation thereof is interposed between the outer and inner sheets to enable the thermal source to be applied to the patient and to enable any liquid from the patient to permeate through the inner sheet to be absorbed by the absorbent sheet. The inner sheet of a liquid permeable material provides a moderate insulation barrier whereas the absorbent pad provides a substantial insulation barrier for directing the thermal source to the patient.

Abstract: Endovascular grafting system having a capsule catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and a capsule mounted on the distal extremity of the tubular member. The capsule is generally cylindrical in shape and is formed of a helical wrap of a metal ribbon. The wraps are bonded into a unitary capsule permitting bending of said unitary capsule. A graft is disposed within the capsule. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having proximal and distal ends. Hooks are secured to the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member and face in a direction outwardly towards the inner wall of the capsule. A push rod is disposed within the capsule catheter and engages the graft whereby upon relative movement between the push rod and the capsule catheter, the graft can be forced out of the capsule.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment, illustrated as a disposable diaper, includes a backsheet, an absorbent panel positioned on top of the backsheet, and a composite, three-component topsheet assembly positioned on top of the absorbent panel. The topsheet assembly includes a central portion generally overlying the absorbent panel, and a pair of side marginal portions joined to opposite side edges of the central portion. Each side marginal portion includes a plurality of segments, including an elasticized, standing gather segment for enhanced containment. The containment characteristics of the garment are further enhanced by joining the central portion of the topsheet assembly to each side marginal portion in spaced relationship to the associated backsheet of the garment.

Abstract: An improved pulsatile system for a cochlear prosthesis is disclosed. The system employs a multi-spectral peak coding strategy to extract a number, for example five, of spectral peaks from an incoming acoustic signal received by a microphone. It encodes this information into sequential pulses that are sent to selected electrodes of a cochlear implant. The first formant (F1) spectral peak (280-1000 Hz) and the second formant (F2) spectral peak (800-4000 Hz) are encoded and presented to apical and basal electrodes, respectively. F1 and F2 electrode selection follows the tonotopic organization of the cochlea. High-frequency spectral information is sent to more basal electrodes and low-frequency spectral information is sent to more apical electrodes. Spectral energy in the regions of 2000-2800 Hz, 2800-4000 Hz, and above 4000 Hz is encoded and presented to three fixed electrodes.

Abstract: Barriers for preventing contraception and disease transmission comprise, in the simplest embodiment, a tubular or cylindrical shield (12, 38) of rubber to isolate the penis from the vagina and an attached flange portion (14) to shield the area surrounding the penis and vagina. The underside of the flange has adhesive (16) around the edge border to retain the flange in place. The device may be used by a female partner and is more effective than a condom since it shields the surrounding area. The device may be formed as part of a panty (30) or man's brief (70) so that the female can control prophylaxis and contraception, or the subordinate male in gay sex can control prophylaxis. The tubular rubber shield is provided in a compacted, folded state (38) with a lubricant (54, 56) and a lubricant-impervious covering (20, 22, 58, 66). When made part of an undergarment, the inner side of the shield is covered with a layer of cotton (62) for comfort.

Abstract: A curved tampon applicator and a process for forming the applicator and assembling an absorbent tampon into the applicator is disclosed. The curved tampon applicator can facilitate placement of an absorbent tampon into a woman's vagina. The curved tampon applicator contains first and second arcuately shaped tubular members telescopically joined together. The first member has a stepped outer configuration with an enlarged portion designed to contain an absorbent tampon joined to a finger-grip portion. The enlarged portion is formed on a centerline having a first radius of curvature. The second member is formed on a centerline having a radius of curvature which is different from the first radius of curvature. The second member is sized and configured to slide within the finger-grip portion while being restricted from rotating therein. The second member contains at least one flared end which is sized to prevent separation of the second member from the first member.

Abstract: A non-invasive female urine collection device includes an elongated pad adapted to be positioned comfortably between the legs of a female patient and against the patient's perineal area. The pad includes a flat, planar base having an outlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface thereof. A flexible membrane is positioned above the inner surface of the base and has an outer circumferential edge attached to the base, preferably along an outer edge of the base. The flexible membrane has an inner circumferential edge which defines an open area therein, with the inner circumferential edge of the flexible membrane surrounding the outlet, preferably immediately adjacent the outlet, and attached to the inner surface of the base. The inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge of the flexible membrane are spaced apart from each other that a chamber is formed between the flexible membrane and the base.

Abstract: The hollow fiber membrane type ariticial lung has an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, a hollow fiber bundle formed by collecting porous hollow fiber membrane and a supporting member for liquid-hermetically supporting the outer surface of the inner cylinder, the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane at the two ends of the inner cylinder, the outer cylinder and the hollow fiber bundle in such a manner that the hollow fiber membrane is opened. The arificial lung reveals a reduced pressure loss and is capable of preventing blood channeling, and exhibit an excellent gas exchanging efficiency.