Abstract: Drainage system including a ventricular catheter, a drainage catheter, and a positive displacement pump that can function to actively drain CSF from the ventricles of the brain of a patient. Methods of using a drainage system in accordance with the invention are also disclosed, as well as kits.

Abstract: A dual mode absorbent tampon comprising a mass of absorbent material compressed into a generally cylindrical shape, in a first mode of the tampon. The mass of absorbent material comprising a homogeneous mixture of a plurality of fibers which comprise at least a first type of fiber and a second type of fiber, where the first type of fiber is bondable to fibers of the plurality of fibers. At least a portion of the first type of fibers are bonded in a pre-determined pattern to adjacent fibers of the plurality of fibers wherein absorption by the tampon causes at least a portion of the mass of absorbent material to expand into a non-cylindrical shape which is dependent upon the pre-determined pattern, in a second mode of the tampon.

Abstract: An absorbent article and method of making an absorbent article. The absorbent article has a first layer and a second layer in facing relationship with one another. The first layer has a first imparted colored region coincident with the longitudinal centerline. The second layer has a second imparted colored region laterally more extensive in a direction orthogonally away from the longitudinal centerline than the first imparted colored region. The second imparted colored region extends across the longitudinal centerline and has free ends. The absorbent article has a background region. The first imparted colored region and the second imparted colored region differ in color as compared to the background region.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a stabilized product from a pledget, including the steps of providing a pledget and a transfer member, and pushing the compressed pledget into a stabilization mold with the transfer member as the transfer member advances to a loading position. The transfer member is retracted to a stabilizing position. The compressed pledget is stabilized while the compressed pledget is maintained in compression by the transfer member and the stabilization mold to form a stabilized tampon.

Abstract: Provided a port member for an infusion solution bag that is capable of suppressing occurrence of gaps or wrinkles in a sealed portion in a manufacturing process, and preventing damages to resin sheets of a bag body during storage or transportation. A port member for an infusion solution bag includes a tubular body portion having one end sealed by a plug member structured to enable a hollow needle to be pierced into the plug member, and a tubular to-be-sealed portion continuously formed with an other end of the body portion and having an inner space communicated with the inside of the body portion, the to-be-sealed portion being held between and sealed to end portions of resin sheets overlapped together to form a bag body having an inner space for accommodation of at least a medicine, in which the to-be-sealed portion thus sealed has a radially flattened shape.

Abstract: An improved ostomy bag comprises an outwardly facing irrigation line attachment adapter. A removable vent housing may be attached to the attachment adapter, where the vent housing is attached during normal operation of the ostomy bag, where the vent housing may comprise a charcoal filter and a scent absorbing medium for reducing odors which may vent from the ostomy bag. The vent housing is attached with quick-connect connectors, and is easily removed so that a conduit may be attached to the attachment adapter, where the conduit is attached to a source of flushing liquid, such as a squeezable reservoir or faucet.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a central colored region, an intermediate colored region, an outer colored region, and a background region. The intermediate colored region can be between the central colored region and the outer colored region. The intermediate colored region can substantially circumscribe the central colored region. The central colored region, intermediate colored region, and outer colored region differ in color from the background region.

Abstract: To ensure an excellent slip-proof effect for a hygiene item, in particular for a baby diaper or an incontinence diaper when opening the diaper, a fastening tape is proposed having a separate film-like grip area with a macroscopically structured surface. Likewise, a hygiene item having such a grip area and a method for manufacturing such a fastening tape are proposed.

Abstract: Packaging for an extra-labial fluid voiding apparatus includes a tube having a cylindrical wall, a closed end, and an open end. The cylindrical wall and closed end define a cavity that can contain the voiding apparatus. The cylindrical wall is pliable and has an inner diameter. A cap is adapted to respectively close and open the tube at the open end. The cap has an end plate with an annular flange extending therefrom. The annular flange is rigid and has an outer diameter. The annular flange is insertable into the cavity at the open end of the tube and within the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall. The outer diameter of the flange is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall to a degree such that the outer diameter and the inner diameter are engageable in a press-fit arrangement, when the cap is connected to the tube.

Abstract: A film that is formed from a biodegradable polymer blend of different aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters is provided. More specifically, the blend contains a first copolyester formed from a terephthalic acid monomer. The use of a terephthalic acid monomer results in a polymer chain containing 1,4-(para-) terephthalate units linked in a generally linear configuration (e.g., ˜180°). The blend also contains a second aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed from a phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid monomer. The use of such a monomer results in a polymer chain containing 1,2-(ortho-) and/or 1,3-(meta-) linked units. The inclusion of 1,2-(ortho-) and/or 1,3-(meta-) linked units into the polymer backbone of the second copolyester introduces an angle or “kink” (e.g., ˜120° kink for a 1,3-linkage) into the otherwise linear polymer chain. The “kinks” in the second copolyester backbone reduce its melting point and degree of crystallinity, which have an influence on its physical properties (e.g.

Abstract: A reconstitution assembly includes: a flexible bag containing a diluent; a drug vial containing a drug; a reconstitution device further comprising: a first sleeve connected to the first container; a second sleeve connected to the second container, the second sleeve being associated with the first sleeve and movable axially with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position; a piercing member positioned in the sleeves, the piercing member providing a fluid pathway between the bag and vial when the sleeves are in the activated position.

Abstract: A method for treatment of COPD, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy, and chronic hypoxia including creation of an artificial arterio-venous fistula and installation of a flow mediating device proximate the fistula. The flow mediating device is operated to limit flow as medically indicated to provide the optimum amount of bypass flow.

Abstract: The urine collection bag support belt (10) supports urine bags (B) beneath clothing or when sleeping. The support (10) includes a waist cincture (12) having opposed first and second ends (18, 20) and a central portion. At least one releasable fastener (14, 16) is provided for releasably securing the first end (18) to the second end (20) in order to secure the cincture (12) to the waist. At least one strap (22) is attached to the central portion of the belt (12) and extends downward. The strap (22) is adapted for releasably supporting the urine bag (B). In addition, at least one elongated strip is secured to the belt (12) that supports the tubing (T) connected to the urine collection bag (B) by retaining a serpentine portion of the tubing (T) against the waist cincture (12).

Abstract: Provided is a disposable diaper, in which fastening tapes are brought into direct engagement with the surface of an outer-face back sheet made of a nonwoven fabric. The disposable diaper is enabled to adjust its size slightly according to the body shape of a baby, by improving the force of the fastening tapes to engage with the outer-face back sheet and the force to join the outer-face back sheet and a leakage-preventing sheet. The disposable diaper has its outer-face back sheet made of a nonwoven fabric prepared by an air-through method, in which fibers are thermally melted to each other at the time of manufacturing the nonwoven fabric by feeding hot air in a drum transfer process.

Abstract: An ostomy faceplate and its method of application are disclosed in which the faceplate comprises an annular adhesive wafer of soft, moisture-absorbent, memory-free, essentially non-elastic and finger-moldable adhesive skin barrier material, the wafer's distal surface having an outer zone terminating at the outer periphery of the wafer and an inner zone extending inwardly from the inner limits of the outer zone to a stoma-receiving opening at the inner periphery of the wafer. The faceplate also includes a flexible backing layer covering the outer zone and a removable cover member having a smooth surface releasably covering the proximal bodyside surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A diaper having front and rear waist regions and a waist-hole, the waist hole having a peripheral edge that is elastically stretchable in a circumferential direction and includes covering zones and elastic zones in the front and rear waist regions, which peripheral edge is adapted to be stretchable beyond lengths of the covering zones in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A disposable pant-type diaper according to the present invention includes a front portion, a back portion, and a crotch portion which is positioned between the front and back portions, in which a waist opening and a pair of leg openings are formed by joining both longitudinal side-edge portions of the front and back portions which face each other, and stretchable elastic members are disposed along at least a part of each opening, wherein a cutout portion is formed in at least a portion of the side-edge portion of at least one of the front and back portions, and the front and back portions assume a non-joining state at the portion where the cutout portion is formed.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: The invention provides a device adapted to assist the sterilization of a limb surface, comprising a flexible tubular sleeve, closed at one end, shaped and sized so as to loosely fit, in use, around the limb of a patient whose limb surface is to be sterilized. The sleeve bas limb-sealing means, located close to or at each end of the sleeve, and each capable of forming, in use, a seal between the sleeve and the limb of a patient. The device is particularly suitable to assist in de-contamination of limbs prior to surgery thereon.

Abstract: In a tampon pledget, a quantity of moisture activated material is positioned in contact with, or adjacent to a layer of absorbent material used in forming the pledget. Upon contact with menses, the moisture activated material reacts in one of an endothermic and exothermic manner so that in use, the pledget, when forming part of a tampon can thermally alert a wearer when the pledget has reached its absorbent capacity.