Abstract: The use in an absorbent product of a liquid impervious layer comprising an elastomeric film comprising an ethylene homopolymer and/or copolymer and an olefinic elastomer.

Abstract: A tissue-implantable fluid-dissipating device enabling fluid from a source to be delivered to and absorbed by tissue of the eye. In one embodiment the device includes a base plate having a radius of curvature approximately equal to that of the human eye and a second plate peripherally joined to the base plate along a portion of its periphery to form an orifice, the second plate extending at least partially over but spaced from the base plate to form a cavity and having a radius of curvature less than that of the base plate. The device also includes attachment means for communicating a tube end with the cavity that is positioned to permit an attached tube to lie generally parallel to the base plate.

Abstract: Antimicrobial wound dressings are provided comprised of a substrate coated with an antimicrobially effective film of a silver salt. These antimicrobial wound dressings are prepared by vapor coating or sputter coating certain silver salts onto a variety of wound dressing substrates. Preferred silver salts are silver chloride and silver sulfate.

Abstract: Adhesion to a low gloss polyolefin surface is improved by forming the polyolefin from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with hexene-1 as the comonomer, particularly LLDPE with a density of less than 0.926 and high pressure low density polyethylene (LDPE density of 0.910-0.925) or a mixture of the high pressure low density polyethylene and up to 30 wt. % of a high density polyethylene (HDPE density 0.948-0.965). Preferably the polyolefin composition will contain 45 to 85 wt. % of the LLDPE and 10 to 60 wt. % of LDPE.

Abstract: A bone screw for use in joining the fractured sections of the phalanx and a method for its use are disclosed. The bone screw includes a smooth cylindrical central shaft with coarse threads at each end of the shaft. The threads can be a greater diameter than the diameter of the shaft with the threads at each end have substantially the same pitch. The threads at the two ends of the central shaft are of opposite hand; that is, the threads at one end are right handed while those at the opposite end are left handed. In one embodiment, one end of the bone screw is provided with a screw slot which will accept a screwdriving tool for inserting the screw.

Abstract: A continuous flow peritoneal dialysis system and process is disclosed which includes a source of sterilized peritoneal dialysis system in the form of a gravity feed head vessel (32). A by-pass valve (34) connects the head vessel to an inflow/outflow directional valve 40 which controls the inflow and outflow of the sterilized dialysis fluid to a peritoneal catheter (12). The peritoneal catheter is implanted into the peritoneal membrane (14) of the peritoneal cavity (15). A connectable/disconnectable inflow line (42) and outflow line (48) are connected to an inflow catheter (44) and outflow catheter (46), respectively, of the double peritoneal catheter (12). A pressure monitor (50) in the outflow line (48) monitors the pressure within the cavity (15) and adjusts the inflow and outflow accordingly to maintain a predetermined volume and pressure of dialysis fluid in the cavity to maintain the membrane (14) properly distended at all times for maximum dialysis efficiency and patient comfort.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a urine absorbing and holding material, which comprises a homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of two or more of the acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other the the acrylamides and methacrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, and being a water-insolubilized product. By combining the urine absorbing and holding material in the form of powder, granules, flakes, fibers or a film with a fibrous material in the form of a woven fabric, non-woven fabric or a flocculent material, a useful urea absorbing and holding composite material is obtained in the form of a pad, diaper or drawers.

Abstract: A fluorescent retrograde axonal tracer method for use in neuroanatomical studies of the brain involves the use of dilute solutions of amidino-stilbene compounds or salts, specifically 2-hydroxy-4,4'-diamidinostilbene isethionate. The amidino stilbene tracer exhibits a high sensitivity and fluorescent intensity, retrogradely fills axons and dendrites extensively, is highly resistant to fading, is compatible with virtually all other histochemical procedures, and exhibits minimal uptake by fibers of passage. The method of using amidino stilbene or stilbamadine compounds involves injection of a dilute solution of the compound into the area of the brain to be studied. After a period of time, the tissue is examined under a fluorescence microscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to personal hygiene. Its object is an absorbing material consisting of a water-insoluble hydrocolloidal polyelectrolyte absorbing a liquid several times its own weight, and of an isothiazoline-one-3 derivative.Preferably, this absorbing material also includes a transition-metal salt and the isothiazoline-one-3 derivative obeys the general formula: ##STR1## where: R is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group,R' is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group or a halogen,Y is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group.The invention applies to using these absorbing materials in the manufacture of disposable personal-hygiene articles.

Abstract: A therapeutic device in the nature of a transdermal administration system is disclosed for administration of a medicament to the skin or mucosa of a host. The device is provided with a reservoir for containment of the medicament which is isolated by means of a peelable heat sealed area with respect to an adhesive layer provided for adhering the device to the host. In this manner, contamination and deterioration of the adhesive layer, contamination of the active agent, and trapping of the active agent in the adhesive layer are all avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for extracorporeally treating the blood of a patient having diseased tissue or a condition, such as cancer, which results from or depends upon a dysfunction of the patient's immune system. In accordance with the invention, blood is withdrawn from the pateint, a low molecular weight fraction of the blood containing immunosuppressive components which retard or prevent immune system responses is selectively separated from the withdrawn blood, preferably by means of an ultrafilter, and treated blood is returned to the patient to initiate an immune response.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an ischemic condition. The method comprises coadministering topically and internally a vasodilator to a patient having the condition for treating said condition.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent. The device comprises (1) a housing defining an internal space, (2) an expandable composition comprising a dense member in the space, (3) a composition comprising a beneficial agent and a non-toxic heat responsive carrier in the space, and (4) a passageway in the housing for delivering the beneficial agent from the dispensing device.

Abstract: Neovascularization is caused by placing a ligated blood vessel, preferably in an artery, in a sponge made of a material permitting vessel growth therein and therethrough, the material preferably being an acrylic copolymer carrying therein collagen and thereon heparin and fibrinogen, there being also in a preferred embodiment a cell receptacle with a molecular weight cutoff permeable walls within the sponge.

Abstract: A medical device and method for the pulsatile administration of a drug through intact skin at a first steady state flux during a first delivery period and a second steady state flux during a second delivery period, said first flux being substantially higher than said second flux; said first and second delivery periods comprising a substantial portion of a predetermined administration period. The device comprises a reservoir of said drug containing an amount of drug sufficient to administer drug at said first and second steady state fluxes during administration period; a reservoir of a skin permeation enhancer for said drug; said reservoir containing an amount of said permeation enhancer sufficient to permit administration of said drug at said first flux only through said first delivery period; and means for maintaining said device on the skin in drug and permeation enhancer transferring relationship thereto a preferred embodiment delivering nitroglycerin and employing ethanol as a permeation enhancer.

Abstract: Transplants, such as pancreatic islets, are made suitable for transplantation into a genetically dissimilar individual by coating the transplant with a surface-conforming bonding bridge layer of a multifunctional material that binds chemically to a surface component of the transplant followed by a semipermeable, biologically compatible layer of a polymer that binds chemically to the bonding bridge layer.

Abstract: In order that, in a plaster comprising a composite film having a recess for holding the medicament and having a layer of adhesive surrounding the recess and a composite covering film glued to the recess and covering it, the galenical may be optimized regardless of the properties of a matrix containing the medicament in the recess, it is proposed to close the recess by means of a membrane which is firmly connected to the composite film and is permeable to the active ingredient of the medicament, and to join the composite covering film hermetically to the composite film along a ring extending between the central membrane and the surrounding layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A medical instrument for transferring liquid therethrough is provided, comprising a connector of a rigid resin including a generally cylindrical portion having a passage extending throughout the connector and one open end, the cylindrical portion at said one open end including a recess extending circumferentially and axially from the open end, the outside surface of the recess being provided with at least one substantially circumferential rib; and a tube of a flexible resin inserted into the recess and bonded thereto with an adhesive to define a continuous passage communicating the connector and the tube.

Abstract: An intravenous needle assembly includes a hollow needle having a beveled point, the needle being positioned transversely of a central section of an elongated, flexible, foldable body having oppositely disposed wing sections. The needle is provided with a flexible connecting tube and a connector for attachment to a desired device, such as a syringe, bottle, etc. The central section mounting the needle and the oppositely disposed wing sections are tapered transversely with a pressure sensitive adhesive on the lower surface thereof for application to the skin of a patient's body. The needle is angled downwardly by the tapered structure when moved into the vein to position the beveled pointed end away from the walls of the vein.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device for administering 5-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl) methylamino]-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-isopropylvaleronitrile comprising a permeable matrix of silicone elastomer or other bioacceptable lipophilic polymer material having an effective cardiovascular affecting amount of active drug and an effective drug release promoting amount of a transport enhancing agent dispersed therein. The back of the matrix is covered with an occlusive backing and the face of the matrix is covered with a biocompatible adhesive such as a silicone adhesive also having a transport enhancing agent dispersed therein. A supply of skin permeation enhancing agent may be provided adjacent the adhesive layer such that the skin of a patient to whom the device is applied is pretreated with permeation enhancing agent. Particularly preferred skin permeation and transport enhancing agents include N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, isopropyl myristate and similar compounds.