Abstract: A facial implant for augmentation of the sub-malar region of the face includes a three dimensional body formed of a flexible tissue-compatible material having a convex front surface and a concave rear surface, such surfaces being substantially symmetrical about a plane of symmetry existing about midway between proximal and distal tips of the body, at which tips the convex and concave surfaces intersect. The body is also characterized by a thin proximal head portion consisting of upper and lower protrusions existing proximally with reducing thickness, a wider central portion, and a tail portion extending distally with reducing height and thickness to the distal tip of the body of the implant.

Abstract: A modular shoulder prosthesis for the replacement of a portion of the humerus is provided. The prosthesis is assembled from a kit that includes a stem sized to be received in the humerus, a body sized to replace a portion of the humerus, the body being attachable to the stem, and a head member sized to replace the head of the humerus, the head member being eccentrically attachable to the body. A collar is inserted between the head member and the body to help stabilize the assembled prosthesis.

Abstract: An enclosure used in conjunction with an extracorporeal medical device for containing bodily fluid resulting from the occurrence of a rupture or leak during medical treatment includes a sleeve having an interior for receiving and surrounding the medical device. The sleeve is provided with two openings positioned at opposite ends of the sleeve for allowing tubing connected to the medical device to extend out of the sleeve. Each of the openings can be provided with an adhesive for closing the opening once the medical device is positioned in the interior of the sleeve to thereby define a closed environment within the interior of the sleeve. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an enclosure for surrounding a portion of a patient's body that serves as an access site for accessing the patient's bodily fluid includes a sleeve having an interior.

Abstract: The present invention provides a closed, fluid-modulating receiving system for the conveyance, modulation, and collection of fluid matter from its source. The receiving system may be employed under both in vivo and inanimate use conditions for the collection and disposal of fluids which may be infectious, hazardous, or toxic in and of themselves.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a puncture in a tracheoesophageal wall includes a cylindrical body and a flexible first flange provided on an outside surface of the body. The flange has a use orientation in which it projects generally outwardly from the outside surface of the body and an insertion orientation in which it is resiliently folded toward the axis of the body. A retainer constructed of a material soluble in fluids present in the tracheoesophageal wall and esophagus retains the flange in its resiliently folded orientation.

Abstract: An absorbent brief, or diaper, including a liquid-permeable layer, a liquid-impervious layer, and an absorbent layer sandwiched between the liquid-permeable and liquid-impervious layers, the absorbent layer having a dispersion channel extending through the absorbent layer to the liquid-impervious layer for providing unobstructed liquid flow.

Abstract: A method of creating an aortico-pulmonary shunt with a catheter is provided.

Abstract: A vaginal discharge collection device is formed of an elastomeric rim and a flexible film reservoir. The rim may have a generally rectangular cross section and forms a collection space for collecting vaginal discharge. The reservoir may be collapsible so as to be substantially enclosed within the rim when the device is being used. Advantageously, the rim and the reservoir are arranged such that compressing diametrically opposed portions of the rim toward each other causes a leading portion of the rim to dip downwardly to facilitate insertion of the device. The device is ergonomically constructed so as to be convenient to use, comfortable to wear internally, and reliable. A system for reliably, comfortably and conveniently introducing agents, including drugs and other substances, into the vaginal canal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood flow repeatedly segmentally scans a region of in vivo tissue with a coherent light beam. Each scanning segment comprises a scanning period during which the light beam is scanned and a rest period during which the light beam is not scanned. During the rest period, the light beam is directed at a measuring point of the in vivo tissue. Measurement data is obtained dependent on the intensity of scattered light from the measurement point. The measurement data is time series data of chronological changes in the intensity of scattered light caused by blood in the in vivo tissue. The blood flow rate is calculated from frequency-analysis of the time series data.

Abstract: A one piece self-supporting collapsible plastic urology drain bag 24 is mounted to an examination end 14 of a urology table 10. The pan includes a vertical inner end wall 28, a sloping outer end wall 34, a pair of opposite side wall 30, 32, and a bottom wall 36 through which a drain port 38 is defined. The inner end wall 28 of the drain pan is secured between plates 50 and 52. The drain bag is sufficiently flexible to allow a physician to collapse the outer end wall 34 against inner end wall 28 yet with sufficient plastic memory to enable the drain pan to return to its non-flexed position when the collapsing force is removed. A retaining means 56 is disposed on each end of the upper edge of plate 52. Each retaining means comprises a support means 58 and pin 60 arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a closed, fluid-modulating receiving system for the conveyance, modulation, and collection of fluid matter from its source. The receiving system may be employed under both in vivo and inanimate use conditions for the collection and disposal of fluids which may be infectious, hazardous, or toxic in and of themselves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a closed, fluid-modulating receiving system for the conveyance, modulation and collection of fluid matter from its source. The receiving system may be employed under both in vivo and inanimate use conditions for the collection and disposal of fluids which may be infectious, hazardous, or toxic in and of themselves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting undesirable wall effect on blood parameter sensors and for moving such sensors to reduce or eliminate said wall effect; and, in one aspect, a sensor with a plurality of spaced apart sensing elements with respect to which wall effect is reduced upon rotation of the sensor.

Abstract: A cartridge for actuating a piston-like or accordion-like dispenser-vial for applying medicament to an eye. The cartridge includes a housing for holding the dispenser-vial and a telescoping cylinder for compressing the dispenser-vial in the longitudinal direction to actuate the vial. The cartridge includes a locking mechanism for locking the telescoping cylinder to restrict its movement and a trigger mechanism for releasing the cylinder from the locked position so that a drop is released from the dispenser. The housing includes a finger for engaging the lower eyelid and exposing the conjunctival cul de sac.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell-penetrable medical material in which cells can invade, comprising denatured collagen with helix content of 0 to 80%, and carrier substance having higher resistance to enzyme decomposition than the denatured collagen. An artificial skin in which this medical material is used as the wound contact layer, and its preferred manufacturing methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nondisposable diaper comprising at least three layers. In one embodiment, continuous perimeter closure is provided between at least two of the layers and discontinuous perimeter closure is provided between at least two of the layers. In other embodiments, continuous or discontinuous perimeter closure is provided between all the layers.

Abstract: A polymeric multilayer film having a high percentage of fillers to increase the opacity of the film is disclosed. The fillers are concentrated in a separate filler containing layer having about 20 to about 60 weight percent fillers uniformly dispersed therein and about 30 to about 70 percent of the thickness of the total multilayer film. The filler containing layer is coextruded with the outer layers comprising the balance of the thickness of the multilayer film. The multilayer film has at least 15 weight percent fillers.

Abstract: A visco-elastic polymer liner for use in donning over a residual limb and fitting within the socket of an artificial limb. The liner is shaped to have its cavity formed with a volume and shape less than a volume and shape of the residual limb for both tension and tissue configuration relief while the liner has an outer surface formed with a volume and shape greater than the volume and shape of the artificial limb socket for relief of certain tissue configurations and to create weight bearing, relief and compression areas on and in the liner to absorb and dissipate shock, shear and mechanical forces through the liner otherwise transmitted to the residual limb. The liner may have imbedded on its inner cavity side electrodes adjacent muscles that are sensitive to the muscle action potentials to generate signals to a power source to move an articulable artificial limb.

Abstract: A surgical procedure for breast augmentation is disclosed in which an incision is made inside the navel or umbilicus. An endotube which has an obturator with a bullet shaped tip is introduced into this incision and pushed from the umbilicus, staying just above the fascia of the interior abdominal and chest wall, and below the subcutaneous tissue and fat, to a position behind the breast. The obturator is removed and an endoscope used to verify the proper location of the tunnel. The endotube is removed leaving a temporary tunnel leading to a space behind the breast. A hollow prosthesis is rolled up tightly, positioned inside the end of the endotube and pushed into the tunnel behind the breast. The prosthesis is held in place by the hand of the surgeon on the breast and the endotube removed. The prosthesis is pumped full of saline solution to about a 50% overfill.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having flow control properties suitable for use in a fluid absorbing article such as a diaper, incontinence pad, or the like; and a process for preparation thereof by utilizing unbonded carded staple fiber elements or webs having different average dpf values compiled in graduated order from high-to-low average dpf, then compressed and bonded to a desired constant fabric density.