Abstract: A flushable ostomy pouch having side walls composed of pH-sensitive material capable of dissolving when exposed to an aqueous fluid having a pH substantially above or below a neutral pH level, and containing a quantity of pH-modifying material to initiate dissolution of the pouch when it is discarded in the water of a toilet bowl, is disclosed. The pouch includes a pair of side walls and an external membrane that extends along at least one of the side walls to define a pocket adjacent to that side wall. A quantity of pH-modifying material is contained in the pocket which, when exposed to a generally pH-neutral fluid entering the pocket, is capable of changing the pH of the fluid in the pocket to a level above or below the neutral pH level.

Abstract: A low profile heat-sealable adsorbent filter for ostomy appliances is provided. The filter comprises a heat-sealable microporous film layer, a filter layer of melt-blown microfibers loaded with adsorbent particles and a cover layer. The microporous film layer provides for rapid release of flatus or other gas in having a Gurley value of less than about 100 seconds/50 cc. The melt-blown microfiber filter web has an estimated service life of about 3 days or more with a web basis weight of about 700 grams/m.sup.2 or less. The low profile filter can be sealed to the outside face of an ostomy appliance with a perimeter seal to provide a filter with no liquid or gas by-pass and no liquid by-pass through the filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ostomy pouch containing breakable deodorizing bubbles therein to facilitate the addition of deodorant when the pouch is reused.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument having an elongated rotatable inner member provided with a cutting edge at its distal tip, the inner member adapted to rotate within an elongated outer tube having a window adjacent its distal end adapted to cooperate with the cutting edge of the inner member. The outer tube is provided with a portion thereof adjacent its distal end which enables the distal tip of the outer tube to be bent at an angle relative to the proximal portion of the outer tube. The outer tube may be bent by a user into a selected angular position with the aid of a tool calibrated in a plurality of discrete positions. The tool is adapted to enable the outer tube to be rotated to any selected position prior to being bent so that the window at the distal tip of the outer tube may be caused to face in any desired direction relative to the bend in the outer tube.

Abstract: An intravascular device to assist in the visualization of intravascular lumens and the navigation of guide members, the device including two elongate coaxial tubes which define a central lumen and an annular lumen. A manifold is coupled to the proximal end of the two tubes and includes a first port connected to the central lumen and a second port in fluid communication with the annular lumen. The central lumen and the annular lumen are fluidly independent at the proximal end and are open to the vasculature at the distal end. The coaxial tubes engage each other at the distal end to limit longitudinal movement therebetween.

Abstract: An inexpensive, disposable device for collecting a mid-stream urine specimen from a female donor which device can be used by the donor herself without professional help. The device comprises a container having two chambers, one for collecting and discarding the initial, unwanted portion of the urine flow and the other chamber for collecting and retaining the later, cleaner, portion of the urine flow. A pivoted "paddle" valve comprising two conjoined paddles is disposed between the chambers and--controlled by the flow of urine, itself--directs the first, contaminated, portion of the urine to the discard chamber and directs the remainder of the flow to the specimen chamber. Initially, one of the paddles covers and seals the specimen chamber to prevent urine from entering that chamber. The other paddle is suspended over the opening of the discard chamber.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent includes a continuous helix of zig-zag wire and loops which connect adjacent apices of the wire. The stent is compressible and self-expandable substantially to a pre-compressed configuration. A method of forming the stent includes bending a length of wire into a zig-zag configuration and a helix and connecting adjacent apices of the wire. A method implanting this stent includes compressing the stent radially, implanting it in a predetermined location of a body vessel, and allowing it to recoil to the configuration it had before compression.

Abstract: A cerebrospinal fluid shunt includes an inner tube for supplying the fluid only from brain ventricles to the peritoneum region of a subject and an outer tube arranged so the fluid remains resident in the outer tube without flowing to the peritoneum region. Fluid in the outer tube exerts pressure through a wall of the inner tube on the fluid in the inner tube to regulate flow of the fluid through the inner tube to the peritoneum region. The shunt includes a catheter including plural openings through which the fluid flows. The openings are arranged so tissue growth through the openings does not occlude flow of the fluid within the catheter. The catheter and shunt having an external pressure responsive collapsible wall and an internal spring for inhibiting catheter collapsing and kinking.

Abstract: This invention is an intrastromal corneal ring ("ICR") which is not uniform in dimension. It has, typically, two or more raised areas (or areas of additional bulk) spaced apart from each other on the ring. This ring design, when introduced into the stroma and properly adjusted there, permits at least partial correction of astigmatism in the eye.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for introducing a catheter into a surgically implanted port. The apparatus has a housing attached to a styler, with the stylet being received in a catheter. Also provided in the apparatus is a casing with a protective cap that slidably fits within the housing. Also disclosed is a method of catheterizing a surgically implanted port by means of inserting a stylet encased in a catheter and retracting the stylet.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device for producing a generally circular, interlamellar pathway within the corneal stroma of the eye. The device is made up of three major components: a vacuum centering guide having an inner bore which fits at one end against the front of the eye, a barrel which fits within the inner bore of the centering guide and to which is attached the third major component, a generally circular dissecting ring. The dissecting ring is shaped in such way that when an eye surgeon twists the barrel to which the ring is attached, the ring moves through the interlamellar space in the stroma producing the desired channel or pathway. The centering guide may optionally include a ring having one or more pins which firmly engage the cornea's epiphilium. The constituent parts of the surgical device, particularly the dissecting ring, also form a part of this invention. A split ring, or intracorneal ring ("ICR"), is inserted into the intrastromal passageway produced by the inventive device.

Abstract: An apparatus for minimally invasive tissue removal contemplates a system including a tissue cutting tool having a motor driven cut-ting blade reciprocating within a percutaneously introducable cannula. In accordance with one method of the invention, the frequency of reciprocation of the cutting blade is tuned to a characteristic frequency of the target tissue to be excised, which frequency is a function of certain properties of the target tissue and the surrounding tissue. Cutting at the characteristic frequency of the target tissue not only enhances the speed and efficiency of the tissue excision, but also minimizes the risk of cutting surrounding tissue. Another aspect of the system includes feedback control of both aspiration and irrigation circuits of the system. With the feedback control, coupled with user settable inputs, the surgeon can control the system to "tease" tissue into the cutting opening to provide more manageable bite sizes of the excised tissue.

Abstract: A flush-interval indicator for soluble, toilet bowl discardable pouches is disclosed for indicating to a user, once the pouch is discarded in a toilet bowl, when a sufficient flush-interval has elapsed so that, when the toilet is then flushed, the pouch will quickly disintegrate without obstructing or impeding the flow of water and waste material through the discharge lines of the system. The flush-interval indicator comprises optically-distinguishable indicia printed or otherwise affixed to a display surface of a pouch and normally concealed by a water-soluble opaque layer. The opaque layer may take the form of an external panel secured to the pouch, or a water-soluble layer of the pouch itself which includes pigment to render it opaque and shield the indicator from view. In an alternate construction, a water-soluble external cover is secured to the pouch and fibers from the cover are heat sealed into the pouch's display surface to form a flush indicator that is relatively unreadable when the cover is dry.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene sanitary towel with fastening tabs arranged asymmetrically along the longitudinal edge of a sanitary towel, the adherent part of which is the inner part for the user of this towel and which is an integral part of the towel and a production process for sanitary products fitted with these lateral flaps, which consists of confining the absorbent pad made of cellulose pulp or of a sanitary towel composite, between a film of polyethylene and a layer of non-woven fabric or a film of micro-perforated polyethylene which is impermeable to liquids towards the outside, of sealing the two layers by sizing or heat-sealing, of cutting, along the strip, the material formed previously, constituted by the pad and the two protective layers of impermeable film to a wavy ribbon in the form of a garland, placing this garland on a single-sided siliconized paper, the inner side of which has been coated beforehand in a continuous or discontinuous manner with a glue, and placing a second single-sided siliconized pa

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 lever 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: An ostomy pouch is provided with a normally-closed vent valve in the form of a slit-providing flexible dome secured to the interior surface of the pouch wall over a vent opening in that wall. An odor-absorbing filter extends across the vent opening (either within the dome or externally of the pouch) to deodorize gases when they are vented from the pouch. The edges of the slit seal against each other to prevent the escape of gases and protect the filter from effluent contact when the dome is in its normal unflexed state but, when the dome is squeezed between the fingers in a prescribed manner, the slit opens to permit the venting of gases from the pouch.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for discharging urine from a urine collection bag using an electrically operated valve means connected to the drain tube of the urine collection bag and the electrically operated valve means mounted on a support means, such as a wheelchair, in a manner to be separated from the user's skin and clothing. The electrically operated valve means is controlled by actuating at least two electrical switching means. Upon actuation of the electrical switching means, the electrically operated valve means operates and the urine discharges from the urine collection bag through the drain tube.

Abstract: An absorbent structure in accordance with the present invention comprises a flexible shaped member having a raised peripheral rim to form a containment space for receiving body exudates. The shaped member comprises a first portion, and a second portion extending rearwardly from a rear end of the first portion. The first portion has along its side edges symmetrical indentations so that the first portion has a plan configuration including a generally rectangular front segment, and inwardly contoured side edges respectively extending rearwardly from the front segment in a diverging manner into the second portion. The second portion has a generally rectangular plan configuration wider than the first portion, so that the shaped member has a generally anvil-shaped, overall plan configuration. The absorbent structure further comprises absorbent material disposed in the first portion. The absorbent material is absent in the second portion to leave a void space therein for receiving fecal material.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter having a main body extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends and including a tip structure at the distal end, a transition portion extending from the tip structure, and a shaft extending from the transition portion to the proximal end. The main body defines first, second and third lumens, the first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the transition portion, and the third lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end. The side lumens are separated from the central lumen by parallel walls. In a preferred embodiment for use in dialysis, the side lumens are coupled to one another at the proximal end so that both side lumens receive intake blood and the treated blood is returned through the central lumen. Because the first and second lumens have intakes at different locations about the periphery of the main body, there is less likelihood that these lumens will be occluded by engagement with the wall of a blood vessel.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a guard for mildly incontinent persons, comprising an elongated absorbent pad (3) enclosed between a liquid-permeable casing sheet (1) facing the wearer in use of the article and a liquid-impermeable casing sheet (2). At least one of the casing sheets extends laterally beyond the absorbent pad forming an outwardly projecting, longitudinally extending edge. Flexible side-flaps (5, 6) are arranged at the long side edges of the absorbent pad (3) and are intended, when the article is used, to be folded around the edges of the wearer's underpants or like garment (9) in the crotch part thereof and attached to the outside of the underpants. Uplifted liquid barrier devices (10, 11) are provided on that side of the article which faces the wearer in use on both sides of the absorbent pad (3) along at least parts of the long side edges thereof between the absorbent pad and the flexible side-flaps.