Abstract: A condom that includes a lubrication packet affixed thereto, the lubrication packet occupying a space that coincides with a fluid receptacle. The packet is filled with lubricant and the integrity of the packet is breached prior to intercourse, releasing the lubricant inside the body lumen over a period of time. Once the packet is substantially depleted, a void created by the depleted packet can be used by the receptacle.

Abstract: An eyewash dispensing container to store and deliver an eyewash fluid that is particularly suitable for terminal sterilization. The container includes a base and a locking lid with a tamper indicator. The container is able to be opened quickly and deliver the eyewash fluid directly to an eye of a user.

Abstract: A compression bandage for placing on the human or animal body, includes a planar sheet material with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and two transverse edges lying opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, and two longitudinal edges lying opposite each other in the transverse direction, wherein the sheet material is made of a fabric with a warp and a weft system of threads, wherein at least one of the thread systems includes elastic threads, wherein the thread density in the warp and/or weft system of threads is varied in the longitudinal direction of the bandage such that at least one section of the bandage in the longitudinal direction has a warp and/or weft thread density different than an adjacent section.

Abstract: Slings, kits, and methods useful in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are described. An exemplary sling comprises a main body extending along a lengthwise axis and having first and second opposing ends, first and second opposing sides, and first and second opposing surfaces. Each end defines an end loop that defines a passageway extending through the main body. An exemplary method of treatment comprises creating two openings in the mandible of a patient; creating two longitudinal tunnels in the tongue of the patient; creating a transverse tunnel in the tongue of the patient; advancing a sling through the transverse tunnel; pulling each end of the sling through one of the longitudinal tunnels and through one of the openings in the mandible; pulling the tongue toward the front of the mouth or mandible; and securing the sling to a tissue to support the tongue in a new position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a primary dressing for moist wound healing with a reduced risk of inflammation. The elastic primary dressing according to the invention for moist wound healing is in the form of a lattice or a netting made of elongated elastic bodies, said lattice or netting containing non-resorbable elongated bodies that consist of silicone and optionally at least one additive selected from active pharmacological ingredients, collagens, hydrocolloids, and/or dyes. The lattice or netting preferably contains resorbable elongated bodies in addition to the non-resorbable elongated bodies, said resorbable elongated bodies containing at least one resorbable and bioactive organic compound, in particular selected from collagens and hydrocolloids. The invention also relates to a wound dressing that the primary dressing according to the invention contains in combination with a secondary dressing. The invention also relates to methods for producing primary dressings according to the invention.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalator containing has an inner tube forming part of a suction path, a capillary tube extending within the inner tube and configured to discharge a solution therefrom in conjunction with a user's inhalation, and a heater extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inner tube so as to traverse the inner tube and configured to receive the solution discharged from the capillary tube, wherein the heater atomizes the received solution by heating to generate, inside the inner tube, an aerosol to be inhaled by the user.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment a method to promote healing of a wound is provided comprising contacting the wound with a biologically active composition comprising a lipoic acid derivative and gelatin. In another embodiment a wound dressing is provided comprising a scaffold coated with a biologically active composition comprising a lipoic acid derivative. In a further embodiment, a system is provided for treating a tissue site of a patient, the system comprising a reduced-pressure source to supply reduced pressure, a manifold to distribute reduced pressure to a tissue site and a scaffold coated with a biologically active composition comprising a lipoic acid derivative. Methods for producing such a system and scaffold are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical drape is provided that has a drape body that has an upper surface and an oppositely disposed lower surface. A sleeve extends from the drape body into which an arm of a patient is located when the drape is positioned on the patient. A sleeve attachment component is located on the sleeve, and a body attachment component that is located on the drape body. The sleeve attachment component is attachable to the body attachment component in order to attach the sleeve to the drape body at a first location. A fenestration is present through which a portion of the patient can be accessed when the drape is positioned on the patient.

Abstract: A wound dressing including at least one layer made of microbially produced cellulose formed into a biocellulose layer, wherein the wound dressing is configured to adsorb bacteria and wherein the thickness of the bio-cellulose layer is between 0.08 and 1.5 mm, as well as a method for producing such a wound dressing.

Abstract: A system for providing respiratory therapy to a subject using a subject interface (180). The system responding and/or adapting to a detection of the subject exerting a heat influence on the system, e.g. the subject increasing the temperature of the subject interface. For respiratory therapy that includes the use of a humidifier (150), condensation or rainout is commonly a problem. The response and/or adaptation may inhibit condensation from forming along the subject interface.

Abstract: Provided is a soft flexible oral appliance having protuberances that mimic naturally occurring dental Tori. An upper, palatial appliance and a lower, mandibular appliance may be used in conjunction or separately to alleviate a variety of disorders, improve facial tone, and increase physical performance. The appliances are lightweight, thin, and do not prohibit normal speech patterns when in use. Small protuberances are strategically molded along key surfaces of each appliance to stimulate nerves in the tongue and affect forward protrusion. Forward positioning of the tongue dilates the airways of the throat improving breathing while the use is sleeping, playing sports, or talking. It also reduces bruxing, or grinding of the teeth. A method is further provided, for adding protuberances to other types of oral appliances, thereby conferring some of the benefits listed above on appliances originally intended for other dental uses.

Abstract: A breathing mask adapted to be placed over a wearer's face, comprises a mask body including a gas inlet port to be disposed in flow communication with the wearer's breathing passage for flow of a gas in a predetermined flow stream there through upon inhalation by the wearer; a communications microphone (30) mounted to said mask body to capture the voice of the wearer, said communications microphone generating sound signals; an attenuation device (34) for attenuating said sound signals; a sound monitor (36) for monitoring the intensity of sound near the communications microphone in a predetermined frequency range, connected to a controller device (38) for activating the attenuation device when the sound intensity monitored by the sound monitor is in a predetermined level range.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and supporting the lower leg and foot of a seated patient comprising a heel or an ankle support adapted to fit beneath the patient's heel or ankle, lifting means for raising said support, and in which the support is releasable from the lifting means.

Abstract: An orthopedic knee brace is provided having a sleeve, a longitudinal support assembly and a strapping system. The sleeve is positionable over a knee with the longitudinal support assembly engaging the sleeve. The longitudinal support assembly includes an upper support member, a lower support member and a hinge positionable in engagement with the knee. The strapping system includes a strap extending in a helical path across a lower point on the upper support member proximal to the hinge to an upper point on the upper support member or in a helical path across an upper point on the lower support member proximal to the hinge to a lower point on the lower support member.

Abstract: An inhaler is disclosed. It comprises a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters, each blister having a breachable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, an indexing wheel mounted in the housing rotatable to drive a strip to sequentially move blisters into alignment with a blister piercing member, a control element pivotally mounted to the housing and a drive mechanism configured to couple the control element to the indexing wheel during part of the rotation of the control element by a user so that the indexing wheel rotates together with the control element.

Abstract: A bikini brace has an inner surface that corresponds to a digital representation of an injured limb. The bikini brace can wrap around a length of the limb in a helical manner. The body of the bikini brace may be a single piece structure that is fenestrated to provide air circulation to the injured limb.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided is provided a tubing arrangement and associated connectors, including a delivery adaptor and a Y-connector, which may be used to facilitate the operative interface of a patient interface to a ventilator within a ventilation system. The delivery adaptor is connected between the outlet connector of the flow generator and the main delivery tube (i.e., the quad-lumen tube) in the ventilation system. The delivery adaptor functions to retain the pneumatic isolation of a sense line of the ventilation system from certain other lumens of the quad-lumen tube, and further connects one of the small lumens of the quad-lumen tube to an external oxygen source or an external humidification source. The oxygen or humidification is delivered to such lumen through the adaptor. The oxygen or humidification is then bled into the air stream at the outlet of such lumen which is at the Y-connector.

Abstract: A method of closing a wound with a dressing. The method including: restraining at least a portion of the dressing corresponding to the wound into a first shape; adhering first and second portions of the dressing across the wound; removing the restraint from the dressing while the first and second portions are adhered to the skin by removing a member from the dressing to allow at least the portion to move towards a second shape and apply a force tending to close the wound.

Abstract: The ankle brace includes a calf body defining lateral and medial frontal sides spaced by a frontal opening, and first and second straps depending from the first and second frontal sides of the calf body, respectively. The first and second straps are arranged to extend juxtaposed across the opening and secure to the second and first frontal sides, respectively. The brace also includes opposed lateral and medial ankle struts pivotally attached to the calf body, and a footplate connected to the ankle struts. The medial ankle strut has greater rigidity than the lateral ankle strut. The calf body medial section has greater rigidity than the calf body lateral section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement (1) for generating a non-thermal plasma, comprising: a layer-shaped first electrode (2) made of an electrically conductive material, a layer-shaped second electrode (4) made of an electrically conductive material, wherein the second electrode (4) is electrically insulated from the first electrode (2), and a dielectric barrier (3) being arranged between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4), so that the non-thermal plasma is generated by a dielectric barrier discharge. The inventive electrode arrangement is characterized in that at least one of the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) comprises several perforations which are distributed over the electrode.