Abstract: In an underpants type disposable diaper comprising a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, an absorbent member disposed therebetween, an elastic expansible member for forming a gather each to a pair of leg portions and front and rear waist body portions formed around the absorbent member, the front and rear waist body portions being connected and fixed together at both sides to form a waist opening portion and a pair of leg opening portions, respectively, at least a part of each area formed between the waist opening portions and the pair of leg opening portions at both side portions of the waist portion is provided with a vertical split portion, respectively and connection means are provided to each of the side portions.

Abstract: The ostomy pouch is formed of a flexible plastic material with a waste inlet opening and a gas outlet opening proximate the waste inlet opening. The gas outlet opening is of a configuration and size that resists entry of outside water into the pouch through the gas outlet opening. A filter aligned with the gas outlet opening is bonded at a peripheral zone surrounding the gas outlet opening, leaving an unbonded area that communicates with the gas outlet opening. A free face of the filter is gas impermeable. Gases within the pouch pass through an exposed, gas permeable peripheral edge of the filter toward the center and exit into the unbonded section for evacuation through the gas outlet opening.

Abstract: This invention is an intraluminal stent or graft suited for the noninvasive treatment of aneurysms, diseased blood vessels, and other bodily lumen. The stent is made up of polymeric tubing which is helically and tightly wound to produce a column having an open lumen from one end to the other. At the stent's distal end, the tubing is sealed. At the stent's proximal end, the stent is adapted to allow the introduction of fluid suitable for inflating the stent at the chosen vascular site. The stent coils adhere to each other or to one or more sizing strips which may be straight or helical in configuration, or the stent may be constructed to use both methodologies.

Abstract: A diaper having an inner panty enclosed in spaced relationship by an outer panty. An absorbent pad is inserted in an opening in the inner panty. The inner panty holds the absorbent pad snugly against the perineal region between the legs of the wearer. An outer panty is secured around its periphery to the inner panty. The spaced relationship between the outer panty and the inner panty forms an overflow reservoir for the absorbent pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as an artificial bladder for implantation into a patient. The apparatus is comprised of a bladder having a rigid outer shell and a flexible inner shell that are connected at a bladder neck thereby creating an open space between the outer shell and inner shell that contains a biocompatible fluid, a storage unit for storing the biocompatible fluid at a pressure lower than the pressure inside the bladder, a pumping unit for creating a positive pressure to pump the biocompatible fluid from the storage unit to the open space in the bladder, a ureter replacement unit for allowing urine to move from the kidneys to the inner shell of the bladder, a valve unit for allowing the urine to exit the bladder, a urethra replacement unit for allowing the urine to exit the body from the valve unit and tubine units for allowing the biocompatible fluid to move between the bladder, storage unit and pumping unit.

Abstract: A urination aid for facilitating urination by females in a substantially upright position. The device includes a base having a center opening which may be positioned over the female genital region. A collapsible fluid guide extends from the base to guide urine directed through the center opening of the base away from the user. A pair of raised finger pads are disposed along lateral edges of the base and allow for increased application of pressure to a seal extending around the central opening. An absorbent pad is secured to a lower end of the base and may be used as a sanitary wipe after urination.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter is disclosed having both the flexibility of a coaxial construction and the advantages of dual lumen construction as well. The proximal section is of relatively rigid dual lumen construction, wherein an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen extend longitudinally through the proximal section in a generally parallel and side-by-side relationship. A distal section of the balloon catheter is coupled to the distal end of the proximal section and is of a coaxial construction. Near the transition between the two sections, an inner coaxial member defining the distal guidewire lumen is offset from the center of the otherwise coaxial distal section so that the inner coaxial member is substantially aligned with the distal end of the proximal guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A single-use safety syringe comprising an outer cylindrical body provided with an end spout, a needle provided with a joint adapted to releasably engage the inner wall of the end spout, and a plunger provided with a fore end adapted to releasably inwardly engage the joint of the needle so as to allow the plunger to move into the syringe and engage the end spout to make the injection. The joint has an inner seat with a widening plug projecting downwardly from a base of the seat and projections extending from walls of the seat. The fore end of the plunger has a conical axial cavity open at a frontal face of the fore end and cuts along its generatrix and a groove there around.

Abstract: Medical implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloy coated with blue or blue-black zirconium oxide or zirconium nitride to provide low friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in hemiarthroplasty applications such as unipolar artificial joints, including unipolar hip joints or surface replacements, knee joints, shoulder joints, elbows, spinal segments, fingers, etc. The zirconium oxide or nitride coated prostheses also provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by galvanic coupling with other metal components or in vivo ionization of the metal prosthesis.

Abstract: Accessory devices for laparoscopic operations can be combined with a plastic receptacle 2 in such a way that an opening formed outside the abdominal wall in a cover sheet 10 can be coupled in sealing relationship with an end of the plastic receptacle 2 that can be closed or opened. The plastic receptacle 2 is in this case still located inside the abdominal space, at least in part, the opening of the plastic receptacle 2 projecting beyond the abdominal wall 4.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus are provided for increasing the pressure at which fluid may be delivered by a lavage/irrigation system.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for attachment to a partial vacuum source for removing smoke and liquid from a surgical area during laser or electrocautery surgery. The nozzle includes a cylindrical inner tube fixedly and concentrically attached within a cylindrical outer tube with the distal end of the inner tube extending forwardly of the distal end of the outer tube. A plurality of annularly spaced, radially extending connecting webs interconnect the outer and inner tubes together and define a respective plurality of discreet passageways through which the smoke and liquid are suctioned in addition to the passageway of the inner tube. An auxiliary nozzle may be attached to the exposed, distal end of the inner tube for passage through a trocar cannula or the like during endoscopic procedures. A flow control knob is also provided for removable and rotatable attachment to the distal end of the outer tube for selectively controlling the fluidics flow through the passageways between the connecting webs.

Abstract: An ampule shield has a center tube with an upper end, and an outer tube extending coaxially with the center tube and attached to the center tube below the upper end of the center tube. The outer tube extends some distance beyond a lower end of the center tube. The outer tube is spaced from the center tube to provide a cylindrical space within the shield for receiving an ampule. A removable cap for attachment to a bottom of the outer tube is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tampon for female hygiene having a wound nonwoven fabric core and an envelope with thermoplastic fibers which externally encloses the core, the envelope consisting of a nonwoven fabric which has hydrophilic fibers in addition to the thermoplastic fibers.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a member which is mounted on an elongated intraluminal device such as a catheter or a guidewire, preferably the proximal portion thereof, which releasably holds at least one turn of a coiled product. The coiled product may be the intraluminal device on which the fixture is mounted or it may be a separate product. In one embodiment of the invention, the turn holding member has a body and at least one flexible arm which holds a turn against the body of the fixture. In another embodiment of the invention, the holding member is a tubular element having a wall portion with a spirally shaped cutout through which a turn of coiled product can be advanced into the inner lumen or the tubular element.

Abstract: A thin bodied elongated surgical instrument for penetrating into a body cavity and thereafter being useful for performing surgical functions disposes an obturator within a cutting cannula. The obturator is spring mounted to retract within the cannula in response to resistance encountered at a body wall, but moves to an extended distal position inside the body cavity. In that position the obturator is manually or automatically locked in axial position, so that means at the extended end can be used in the surgical procedure without danger of cutting internal tissue or organs. This safety device facilitates initial insertion of an insufflation needle, and subsequent insertion and use of other instruments during laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing and retaining human exudate. The article includes an absorbent having a first surface facing the body of a user and a second surface aligned approximately opposite to the first surface. A liquid-impermeable baffle is positioned adjacent to at least the second surface of the absorbent while a fluid-permeable cover is positioned adjacent to at least the first surface of the absorbent. A deodorizing mixture is positioned within the article and is positioned to remain dry for a substantial period of time. The mixture is an anhydrous, non-buffer blend of at least basic and pH neutral odor absorbing particles.

Abstract: A rectal administrator comprises a body having an administrative portion adapted to be inserted into a subject's rectum. A charge of medicament is disposed within the body, and the administrative portion has at least one passage through which the medicament can exit the body. A plunger is disposed in the body and is movable from a first position to a second position within the body to dispense the medicament from the body through the at least one passage. A releasable energy source is mounted within the body so as to be released in response to a predetermined actuating procedure. The releasable energy source moves the plunger from the first position to the second position to dispense the medicament from the body through the at least one passage when released in response to the predetermined actuating procedure.

Abstract: The invention is a valving device for use in laparoscopic surgery. The device generally has a valve housing having a wall defining a common channel. The channel includes at least first and second apertures extending through the channel wall to allow fluid communication to and from the channel. The invention also includes a laparoscopic probe having a channel created by a wall defining a first open end and a second open end, as well as a valve for trapping debris positioned within the channel first open end.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter having a concentric outer lumen for inflow and a concentric inner lumen for outflow is disclosed. The hemodialysis catheter is used in conjunction with an adapter and with flexible extenders as a catheter assembly. The adapter has channels into which the concentric lumens extend and sealingly divides the lumens into a non-concentric branched arrangement. The flexible extenders couple to the branched lumens or to the adapter and may be doubled over and fastened in grooves in the adapter to stop fluid flow through the catheter. The flexible extenders preferably terminate in coupling mechanisms such as luer slips or luer locks. The catheter is provided with a soft atraumatic tip which has radial holes and a distal hole coupled to the inner lumen of the catheter. The outer lumen which terminates proximally of the tip also has radial holes.