Abstract: Nasal and/or rhinopharyngeal tampon including an elongated core, with aspiration holes, around which there is a shaped body made of elastic spongy material covered by a thin deformable membrane made of impermeable material; the core has a stem for connection to an aspiration unit suitable to make the body assume an insertion or extraction configuration having a limited volume in a vacuum state; the flow of air through the stem into the shaped body is suitable to make the body resume an active configuration having a large volume at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Method and systems for separating a first material, e.g., fat, from lymphatic fluid flowing through a duct within the body of a living being, so that the material is removed from the being's body or recirculated. The system comprises a reservoir for receipt of that material, and an elongated conduit implanted within the vascular system and having a distal end in fluid communication with the duct and a proximal end in fluid communication with the reservoir. An implantable pump and/or valve may be provided to effect the operation of the system under control from outside the body of the being.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed comprising a liquid impermeable outer cover having a front section and a rear section, and an elongated absorbent element having a front end, a rear end and opposite side edges and including an absorbent material. The elongated absorbent element is supported at its front and rear ends on the outer cover in a suspended manner to extend longitudinally between the front and rear sections of the outer cover for spacing the opposite side edges from the outer cover. The elongated absorbent element further includes an elastic element so as to be elastically stretchable and contractable relative to the outer cover.

Abstract: Steerable catheter having an adjustable bend location comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible elements are disposed in the distal extremity for causing bending of the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. A bend positioner is disposed at the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member for selecting the location in the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member where bending is to occur to thereby adjust the length of the flexible elongate member which extends beyond the bend.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is utilized to dispense a variety of skin protection fluids such as suntan lotions and oils on an individual's skin depending on the individual's particular needs or preference. The system applies the lotions and oils directly to the skin and enables an operator of the system to spray the lotions evenly on the individual and especially in hard-to-reach areas of the individual. The method and apparatus of the present invention utilizes an air compressor, pressure containers and spray devices to deliver the lotions and oils. Skin protection fluids having distinct skin protection factors are each stored in individual pressure containers and delivered from the pressure container through the use of an air compressor and an air pressure regulator. A nozzle and flexible hose arrangement is utilized to apply the skin protection fluid onto the individual.

Abstract: A self-contained urine collecting devise usable by females comprising a bottle in the shape of a hollow body having a closed end and an opening disposed at the end of an upwardly extending neck. Joinable to the open end of the bottle is an interface shaped generally in the form of an oval ring comprising a protuberance at the lower portion of the interface, an opening defined by the upper portion of the interface, a peripheral lip disposed concentrically with respect to the opening, a lateral ridge positioned between the protuberance and the opening, and a lateral valley disposed coextensively to the ridge disposed between the ridge and the protuberance. In use, the protuberance is positioned slightly within the vaginal orifice to place the extralabially fitting opening of the apparatus directly in front of the urethral orifice. The peripheral lip conforms to the perineum of the user in complementary fashion to ensure a liquid tight seal.

Abstract: A method and a device designed to suck and to convey various types of liquids through a suction hose (45) and at the same time does (4) an additive to the liquid in an accurate proportion to the amount of the sucked liquid. A liquid or a liquid/air/gas mixture is sucked by means of a suction nozzle (2,45), which is influenced by a certain pressure P2 with a moderate suction action, and is passed through the suction hose (45). A dosage device (4), which includes a flexible dosage container (20), which is enclosed in a rigid casing (21), and which is influenced by a certain relatively lower pressure P3 (providing a stronger suction action) than the pressure in the suction hose (45), is connected directly to the suction hose (45).

Abstract: A device for containing and dispensing a flowable material, for once-only use includes a container, to the delivery mouth of which a cannula can be fitted. The container includes a body and a sealed chamber which are separated by a stopper, which is neutralizable by bending or compressing a deformable portion of the body relative to the sealed chamber.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin for absorbing and collecting a woman's menstrual liquids, includes an absorbent pad positionable against the woman's abdomen and the skin area between the thighs so as to overly the vaginal opening. A porous absorbent plug extends from one face of the pad so as to be insertable into the woman's vagina. Menstrual blood and associated secretions flow through the porous plug into the pad for collection and safe retention. A liquid impermeable covering entirely surrounds the pad, but not the plug, such that menstrual liquids are prevented from leaking out of the pad or coming in contact with the woman's skin.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent universal incontinence device having a front and a back and one or more layers of absorbent material and an outer layer of plastic or waterproof material is provided having in the front a slit or a semi perforated opening extending through one or more absorbent layers to the inside of the garment through the outer layer of plastic or waterproof material of the garment to provide an access opening to allow normal urination by an incontinent male. The slit or semi perforated opening is covered by a flap like member detachably secured around the perimeter or a portion of the perimeter to the outer layer of plastic or waterproof material of the garment. The detachable securement allows the flap to be opened from the top, bottom or sides to provide access from any desired location once the flap is partially removed and the slot or perforated opening is separated to provide access.

Abstract: An irrigation solution re-circulating system comprises a reservoir of irrigation solution, a solution supply line for joining the reservoir in fluid communication with a surgery site for delivering a controlled volume, pressure, and temperature of the irrigation solution to the surgery site, and a return line for further joining the surgery site in fluid communication with the reservoir. A pump, which is preferably non-hemolyzing, is connected to the return line for returning a controlled volume of the irrigation solution from the surgery site to the reservoir. The system further comprises at least one filter connected to the return line for removing contaminants from the irrigation solution prior to return to the reservoir to permit re-circulation of the solution without impairing endoscopic visualization of the surgery site, while providing solution for expanding the surgery site to permit performance of the attendant surgical procedure.

Abstract: A device for transesophageal stomach retraction comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal handle in a distal length. The distal length is deformable so that it can assume a desired configuration, such as a J-shaped curvature, and is deflectable so that it may be repositioned within the stomach. The proximal length may further include vacuum ports which permit the stomach to be drained and collapsed on the distal length to enhance contact. [This way, the] The treating physician inserts the device through the mouth of the patient with the distal length penetrating the stomach. Thereafter, the device is moved from the proximal end to manipulate the distal ends to move the stomach. Preferably, the device is deformed prior to such moving into a desired curvature, preferably a J-shaped configuration. The vacuum ports are utilized to draw the stomach over the device.

Abstract: In a device for dissolving deposits on a wall of a body passage, which wall has openings leading to side passages which device comprises: a catheter having an axis, an outer surface, a distal end and a proximal end, the catheter being insertable into the body passage via the distal end; the catheter having a dissolution agent delivery passage for delivering a dissolution agent to a region surrounding the catheter, and the catheter further having means defining at least one balloon inflation passage; and a balloon secured to the outer surface of the catheter at a location spaced from the dissolution agent delivery passage and communicating with the at least one balloon inflation passage, the balloon being inflatable to at least partly block a space between the catheter and the body passage wall when the catheter is inserted into the body passage, the improvement wherein the balloon has a nonuniform compliance such that when an inflation fluid is supplied to the balloon, the balloon expands parallel to the axis

Abstract: A heat using therapeutic device includes an applicator provided with an insertion section, a balloon enclosing a high frequency warming electrode attached to the insertion section of the applicator; medicine ejecting holes arranged on the balloon; and a medicine passage for connecting the medicine ejecting holes to a medicine mouth piece attached to a rear end of the applicator.

Abstract: A data transfer system is provided for communication with an infusion pump of the type used for programmable delivery of medication such as insulin to a patient. The data transfer system includes a communication station having a shaped pocket formed therein for seated reception of the infusion pump. Optical communication members including light emitting and detecting devices mounted on the pump and station are aligned for two-way data transmission when the pump is seated within the station pocket. The communication station can be used directly to monitor data received from the pump, and to transmit reprogrammed data to the pump, as desired. Alternately, the communication station can provide a data relay link to a remote site such as to a computer via a computer data cable, or a modem.

Abstract: A method of producing flexible closing members, especially artificial heart valves, and a flexible closing member, especially an artificial heart valve, which can be produced according to such a method. According to the method of producing the housing of the closing member is radially expanded, the closing element of the closing member is formed as substantially plane two-dimensional element, and the plane two-dimensional element is connected to the housing in the expanded condition of the same. This method is preferably realized as dip method according to which the closing element is shaped and formed to the housing in a single working step. The described flexible closing member is an artificial three-sail heart valve which is characterized by a special shape of the three closing elements.

Abstract: A multifunctional device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the multifunctional device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal. The multifunctional device is formed of an absorbent material, preferably expandable, having a substantially rigid dry state prior to introduction to the operative site and a soft, flexible wet state after absorbing fluids. The absorbent material can be formed with a spine therein of either a continuous or a discontinuous, segmented construction, and the spine can be branched and tubular or solid.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical mixing container for storing a liquid having at least two factions which tend to separate during storage. A housing has an inner volume and is closed at one end by a septum arrangement and at another end by a combination sealing and pumping member. The combination sealing and pumping member has an integrally formed outer diaphragm element forming a diaphragm chamber with the inner structure of this element, and a plurality of fluid channels extending through the sealing and pumping element from the diaphragm chamber to the surface facing the inner volume of the container. A driving member assembly is coupled to the diaphragm element to enable this element to be extended and retracted by manipulating the driving element assembly inwardly and outwardly of the container.

Abstract: A manual gas vent assembly for use in venting gas from the interior of a conventional unvented ostomy collection pouch include a valve assembly having an open position, which permits gas to pass therethrough and a closed position, for preventing gas to pass therethrough. The valve assembly has an input portion for communicating with the interior of the ostomy collection pouch and an output portion for communicating with the atmosphere and a mounting device for mounting the valve assembly to a selected portion of the wall of the ostomy collection pouch. The mounting device releasably contains therein a portion of the valve assembly so as to position the input portion thereof proximate the interior of the ostomy collection pouch, and the output portion of the valve assembly proximate to the atmosphere. Also included is an absorbent pad suitable for receiving an antiseptic and/or deodorant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light angioplasty catheter and method for exposing the interior of a body lumen to a source of light. Light exposure may be accomplished prior to, during, or following conventional balloon dilatation. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for exposing a preselected portion of vessel wall to a source of light. Relatively low energy light exposure has been found by the inventors herein to both inhibit restenosis following dilatation of a stenotic region, and to inhibit vascular spasms whether or not associated with a stenotic region. It may also arrest progress of a stenosis. Methods are also disclosed for cooling the vascular wall to treat a stenosis. Cooling may be accomplished prior to, during, or following dilatation.