Abstract: A unitary sanitary disposable absorbent incontinence pad has an elongated absorbent member between a pervious cover topsheet and an impervious backsheet. The absorbent member includes an absorbent batt which contains a combination of cellulose fibers and thermally-bondable fibers. A melt-blown web is superimposed on the batt. A portion of each lateral side of the batt is slit and turned inwardly toward the center of the batt to form a pair of fluid-barriers or dams, creating a fluid channel therebetween. The melt-blown web lies between the dams on top of the batt. Preferably the melt-blown web includes inturned side edges which may create a second channel therebetween. The assembly of batt and web are particularly effective for moving fluid longitudinally in said pad and preventing leakage along the sides of the pad.

Abstract: An osteogenic composition is obtained from demineralized bone tissue.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises (i) a femoral component having a medial condyle and a lateral condyle and (ii) a tibial component. The rolling surface of the medial condyle is part-spherical and the tibial component has a complementary part-spherical depression in its upper surface to receive the medial condyle. The bearing surface of the lateral condyle includes a posterior part which has a curvature in a substantially sagittal plane about a first point on a transverse axis that passes through the center of curvature of the rolling surface of the medial condyle and an anterior part which has a curvature in the same plane about a point that lies on a second transverse axis parallel to, and anterior to, the first transverse axis. The tibial component has an arcuate groove to receive the lateral condyle and to permit, in flexion of the knee after implantation, limited anterior/posterior movement of the lateral side of the tibia relative to the femur.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for use with an ostomy appliance or similar apparatus connected to a stoma extending through the skin of a patient, is formed of a flexible laminate with a liquid-permeable inner layer facing toward the patient's skin, an intermediate layer of absorbent material, and a liquid-impermeable outer layer. The layers are sealed together, and the laminate has a central opening for fitting around the connection between the ostomy appliance flange and body portion. An adhesive layer is provided on the peripheral border of the pad for sealing to the patient's skin. The adhesive layer is applied so that it encircles the absorbent surface area of the pad. The adhesive layer cooperates with the impermeable outer layer of the laminate to surround the fluid-absorbing intermediate layers of the pad and prevent fluid and odor absorbed therein from being released. The absorbent pad is further characterized in that it can be applied and disposed of separate and apart from the ostomy appliance.

Abstract: A mammary prosthesis for augmentation mammoplasty is comprised of a shell containing an insoluble, fibrous material which when the shell is inflated with inflating fluid adjusts the feel and appearance of the inflated shell to approximate natural mammary tissue. The shell is sealed except for a valve which can be used to inflate the shell.

Abstract: A set of provisional prosthesis instrumentation including an outer shell component, a first inner component, and a second inner component different from the first inner component. The first inner component comprises a substantially hemispherical interior surface therein, while the second inner component comprises a nonhemispherical, truncated cone or a nonhemispherical, substantially cylindrical surface therein. Either the first inner component style or the second inner component style may be selectively inserted into the shell component. The first and second inner components (inserts) are releasably connectable with the shell. The first style inner component may typically be used as a provisional for a bipolar prosthesis for a hemiarthroplasty procedure, while the second style of inner component may typically be used as a unipolar endoprosthesis provisional for a hemiarthroplasty procedure. The same style of shell component is utilized for both styles of inner components.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft includes an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer defining a passageway for transmisson of blood and a method and apparatus for implantation in a blood vessel.

Abstract: An assembly for handling a collection container for urine or another body fluid employs a generally rigid body with a holder end and a handle end. The holder end receives and supports the collection container in an upright position to receive the fluid. The handle end forms a structure for the user to hold the supported collection container in an outwardly extended position away from the user's hand. The handle structure also includes a cover for the container. After using the handle structure to position the container for collection of the fluid, the user can then use the cover as a lid to close the collection container. The body of the handle/holder can include a pre-weakened region along which the dual handle/cover can be separated from the holder to free the cover for use.

Abstract: An inflatable penile prosthesis having at least one inflatable cylinder or pressurizable chamber, a fluid reservoir, pump means, and valves for permitting the flow of fluid between said reservoir and cylinder or chamber as a consequence of pressure changes, wherein to prevent spontaneous inflation there is provided an additional lock-out valve disposed at a point between the reservoir and chamber, which will be opened only by the application of a suitable pressure or force exerted volitionally from without the prosthesis. In a preferred embodiment the prosthesis is of a non-unitary type in which the pump means is in the scrotum.

Abstract: Wound drainage system having a wound drainage catheter with an apertured distal end and a closed reservoir system. A plug in the lumen of the distal end substantially engages the lumen. A thread connects the plug to a pulling mechanism external the closed reservoir system for pulling the thread to move the plug toward the suction end of the catheter to sterilely clear the lumen. The plug may have an aperture so that multiple plugs may be positioned in the lumen, with each plug thread passing through the aperture of each upstream plug. Each plug may be separately pulled through the lumen to clear catheter of occluded material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a resorptive bone ceramic on the basis of tricalcium phosphate which can be used as a bone replacement material. In the process, natural bone material, freed from the soft tissues, is used as the starting material. The remaining organic substances are removed from this starting material by pyrolysis. The remaining bone material, which consists virtually completely of hydroxyapatite, is subsequently treated with a phosphate carrier and then subjected to a sintering step.

Abstract: Arteries and veins of umbilical cords are treated by processes described, fitted with a biodegradable mesh support and used as tubular prosthesis for vascular reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: The means comprises a support insert pad protruding inward within the crotch portion of any men's garments that are worn next to the skin. The support insert pad is positioned to be behind the testicles of the male to provide a lifting and support platform for the testicles while allowing for the rest of the garment to hold the genitals stable against the body. The shape of the insert support pad is in a crescent form that fits the vacant area behind the user's scrotum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system which includes a phallus or other plug receiving device formed of resilient material in combination with a plug formed of a substantially rigid material. A hollow is shaped in the plug receiving devices' back which corresponds to the shape of the plug, but has slightly smaller dimensions. When the plug is forced into the plug receiving devices' hollow, air is expelled from the hollow and a vacuum-like fit is achieved. Preferably, the plug and phallus may be combined with a harness formed of inelastic clothlike material forming the body of the harness, the body having a length sufficient to reach around from the wearer's lower abdomen, between the wearer's legs and up onto or over the wearer's buttocks. Inelastic straps are attached along the ends of the harness body and are adjustably attachable to each other so that the harness may be worn like a bathing suit bottom having fasteners on the sides.

Abstract: A combined mechanical heart valve and vascular graft having a shortened transition area between the valve and the graft. The mechanical valve comprises a rigid circular annulus supporting internal leaflets. A stiffening ring surrounds the annulus and provides support for a sewing ring to attach the valve to the heart. The stiffening ring also captures a proximal end of the vascular graft between the stiffening ring and the annulus.

Abstract: Absorbent products for absorbing body fluids which are worn in conjunction with an undergarment are disclosed. The absorbent product comprises an absorbent core having a body facing surface, a garment facing surface and longitudinal edges. The absorbent products of the present invention utilize semi-rigid clip means for retaining the absorbent product with respect to the undergarment. Most preferably, such clip means are disposed on the garment facing surface and approximately at each lateral edge of the absorbent core. Twisting and other undesirable movement of the pad is thus reduced by a portion of the undergarment being retained between the semi-rigid clip means and the garment facing surface. Numerous alternate embodiments of clip means which grip the garment edge, as well as those which extend transversely across the garment facing surface are disclosed.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a disposable diaper having a front area, a crotch area, a back area and a pair of liquid permeable wing areas laterally extending from opposite sides of said back area so that said diaper may be worn by fastening said wing areas to each other, then placing said front area upon these wing areas and fastening said front area to said wing areas.

Abstract: A vascular graft having a composite structure prepared by wrapping about the external surface of a tube having one or more layers of polytetrafluoroethylene or a polytetrafluoroethylene-elastomeric polymer blend, either alone or in combination, an elastic fiber, while maintaining the fiber under tension. The elastic fibers can be wound about the entire length of the tube while being maintained under the same of different degrees of tension. Furthermore, the elastic fibers may be wound about the tube under a higher degree of tension along locations adjacent the opposite ends the tubing.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for use with an ostomy appliance or similar apparatus connected to a stoma extending through the skin of a patient, is formed of a flexible laminate with a liquid-permeable inner layer facing toward the patient's skin, an intermediate layer of absorbent material, and a liquid-impermeable outer layer. The layers are sealed together, and the laminate has a central opening for fitting around the connection between the ostomy appliance flange and body portion. An adhesive layer is provided on the peripheral border of the pad for sealing to the patient's skin. The adhesive layer is applied so that it encircles the absorbent surface area of the pad. The adhesive layer cooperates with the impermeable outer layer of the laminate to surround the fluid-absorbing intermediate layers of the pad and prevent fluid and odor absorbed therein from being released. The absorbent pad is further characterized in that it can be applied and disposed of separate and apart from the ostomy appliance.

Abstract: A surface material for sanitary articles is composed of Layer 1, which is located on the surface in contact with the skin, and Layer 2, which is formed into a single unit with Layer 1 underneath Layer 1 with its entire surface being essentially covered by Layer 1, and with Layer 1 being composed of 50% or more hydrophobic fibers and moreover, in which at least the portion of Layer 1 covering Layer 2 possesses Section A of which the fiber density is comparatively low, Section B of which the fiber density is comparatively high, and Section C which is located at their boundary, where the area of Section C occupies 2-50% of the area of the entire surface material.