Abstract: A medical wrap for the promotion of diabetic and like wound healing generally comprises a multi-layered sheet structure for removable application to a patient's foot, said sheet structure having interposed therein an integral bladder; an inlet for fluid inflation of said bladder; and said sheet structure being adapted and said bladder being shaped to produce a non-shearing compressive force in the area of the patient's first and fifth metatarsal heads upon fluid inflation of said bladder. The multi-layered sheet structure may comprise a first sheet and a second sheet, said first sheet forming the exterior of said structure and said second sheet forming the interior of said structure, said second sheet being more extensible than said first sheet. A padding layer of ester foam, or the like, may also be incorporated into each sheet.

Abstract: A finger bandage device comprises a tubular member with a closed distal end and an open proximal end. A pad of absorbent material is fastened within the tubular member at the closed distal end. An adhesive material is contained on the inner surface of the proximal end of the tubular member for securing the bandage to a finger inserted therein. Also disclosed is a method of using the bandage for maintaining medication on the fingertip of a wearer, and a method of making the bandage.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a disposable type of covering or shield, which primarily is contoured and for use in conjunction with the male, and to provide a covering device for use for overlying the male anatomy, and to provide for elimination of urinary discharges, particularly amongst elderly patients, or the male who is incontinent.

Abstract: An absorbent article and method are disclosed for providing side leakage protection for an undergarment and absorbent article positioning guidance for proper placement on the undergarment. An absorbent configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman and a liquid-impermeable baffle are provided with multiple pairs of garment-attachment nesting ridges for receiving an arcuately shaped crotch portion of an undergarment. Arcuately shaped pleats on a bottom lateral side surface of the absorbent article form the nesting ridges. In one embodiment, a pressure sensitive adhesive in each nesting ridge provides force to support the nesting ridge holding the undergarment in place during use. In one aspect, the absorbent article provides three or more garment-attachment nesting ridge pairs. In one aspect, the arcuately shaped pleats are formed in a bottom layer polyethylene/polypropylene bi-component web sheet material.

Abstract: A thermoplastic apparatus and method of use for immobilization or support of a body part of a human or animal, is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic moldable material that is substantially rigid at ambient temperatures and pliable at higher temperatures. The sheet is pre-cut in a shape that generally conforms to and encircles a preselected human or animal body part with the pre-cut sheet having two opposing edges. A portion of the two opposing edges including a cooperating fastener for fastening the two opposing edges together when the pre-cut sheet encircles the preselected human or animal body part. The fastener is directly attached to the thermoplastic material, so that the fastener allows the thermoplastic apparatus to be removed from and put back on the human or animal body part and to be placed directly into a heat transfer area having a temperature between 50.degree. C. and 100.degree. C. for causing the apparatus to be pliable which allows the apparatus to be molded and shaped.

Abstract: A multilayer laminate wound dressing comprising a plurality of layers of preferably silver or silver-coated fibers in a woven fabric alternating with layers of nonconductive, preferably nonmetallic, fabric. Each layer preferably contains a different ratio of metalized to nonmetalized fibers. The metalized fibers are preferably made of or coated with silver. The dressing promotes healing by stimulating cellular de-differetiation, followed by cellular proliferation. The dressing also has antibacterial, antifungal and analgesic properties.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence appliance constructed according to the invention includes hydrophilic absorbing media encased in a water-impermeable sheath having a closed end that is inserted into the vagina of the user and an open end external to the vagina that is form fit to cover the urethra of the user. The external open end portion acts to funnel any urine that may escape from the urethra into the interior of the sheath where it is captured and wicked by the absorbent media within the vagina.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for absorbing bodily fluid secreted from a user. The absorbent pad includes a base pad having first and second length sides and first and second wings. The first and second wings each extending along a respective one of the first and second length sides. The absorbent pad also includes a tampon extending substantially perpendicular to the base pad at a central portion thereof, wherein, in use, the tampon is positioned within a body opening of the user and the base pad is positioned outside the body opening and between legs of the user to absorb body fluids secreted from the body opening. The tampon may be removably connected to the base pad and a gluteal pad may be connected to extend from an end side of the base pad. The gluteal pad includes a fold positioned within the user's buttocks during use. Lateral borders may be positioned between the sides of the base pad and the wings extending therefrom for providing added absorption of secreted bodily fluids.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conformable ankle brace constructed of a heat moldable thermoplastic material that can be formed in place around a patient's injured ankle. The moldable thermoplastic material is shaped in a manner that produces medial and lateral extensions for covering the medial and lateral malleoli of a patient's foot. A concave recess is formed between the medial and lateral extensions to improve strength and reduce cracking of the thermoplastic brace. A non-stretchable strap holds the conformable ankle brace in position against the ankle and leg. A stretchable strap secures the medial and lateral extensions or splints in place over the medial and lateral malleoli. Strategically placed pads of hook-textured material, that mate with loop-type material on the fastening straps hold them in place on the ankle brace. Optionally, the moldable custom-fitted ankle brace can beheld in place with athletic tape.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel hydrophile adhesive mass to be used for medical purposes characterised in that said hydrophile adhesive mass comprises:(a) 10 to 35 parts by weight of sequenced poly(styrene/olefin/styrene) copolymer, in particular poly(styrene/isoprene/styrene),(b) 20 to 50 parts by weight of a tackifier resin,(c) 2 to 15 parts by weight of an acrylate polymer with a glass temperature less than -20.degree. C.,(d) 2 to 25 parts by weight of a plasticizer, in particular a plasticizing oil,(e) 20 to 50 parts by weight of a hydrocolloid,(f) 0.1 to 2 parts by weight of at least one antioxidant.The invention also concerns the use of this adhesive mass for making protective bandages, in particular for treating blisters, skin-deep dermo-epidermic lesions, exudative wounds and burns.

Abstract: A wound dressing (1) comprising a layer of absorbent foam material (2) which includes a pattern of holes (4). The holes open out on that side of the foam material which lies proximal to the wearer's skin when the dressing (1) is worn, and the layer of foam material is coated with a layer (3) of skin-adhering hydrophobic gel, wherein those end parts of the walls of the holes in the foam material that lie proximal to the wearer's skin when the dressing is worn are gel coated. A method of producing such a dressing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A grip-aid gripping bandage adopted to be disposed over a finger or glove to protect the finger when using sports equipment or a hand tool and to provide enhanced control when using the sports equipment or hand tool. A first self-adhering strip is provided having a first predetermined length. A coat of adhesive material may be applied to a portion of a bottom surface of the first self-adhering strip. A second cushioning strip overlies a portion of and is bonded to an upper surface of the first self-adhering strip. The entire bandage, including the first self-adhering strip and the second cushioning strip, provides protection from abrasion)and pressure when the bandage is applied to a finger. In a further embodiment, an insert is disposed between the first self-adhering strip and the second cushioning strip for enhanced protection for the finger.

Abstract: A debridement pad is provided having fibrinolysin enzyme, desoxyribonuclease enzyme and cellulosic material in the form of a lyophilized sponge-like pad. Placement of the pad over an open wound produces a gel which has a protective effect and which releases the enzymes directly into the wound. The pad may also contain antibiotic agents.

Abstract: A non-stretching wound dressing is provided for use with a patient. The wound dressing includes a cover sheet having top and bottom sides, a thin film sheet formed on the bottom side of the cover sheet, the film sheet having first and second ends and an adhesive side, and a carrier sheet in adjacent contact with the adhesive side of the thin film sheet. The dressing also includes a first gripping tab attached to one end of the thin film sheet and disposed between the film sheet and the carrier sheet for separating the carrier sheet from the film sheet with the cover sheet remaining affixed to the film sheet. A second gripping tab is attached to the top side of the cover sheet and at one end of the cover sheet so that pulling on the second gripping tab releases the cover sheet from the film sheet with the film sheet remaining in place on the patient.

Abstract: Articles and methods for forming splints for body parts of an animal are disclosed. A splint includes a splint core formed of one or more layers of knit fabric impregnated with a water-curable hardenable resin. The opposite faces of the splint core are covered by nonwoven fibrous fabric covers which bond to the core by contact with the resin. A securement member or strap is partially or completely encircled about the splint, and flexible hooks on the strap grasp the fabric covers to hold the splint on the body part being treated. For a small animal, the splint core is a die-cut article having notches in its side edges which permit the core to be bent to form a foot-supporting platform without substantial bunching at the side edges.

Abstract: The present invention is a bioreactor wound dressing which includes a first layer, being a transport layer, in direct contact with a wound. It includes at least one layer of a permeable polymeric media containing, in equilibrium with body fluids, at least 40% by weight of liquid, and is impermeable for infectious agents of any kind and being permeable to water soluble substances having molecular weight up to at least 1000 Daltons. There is a second layer, being a fluid reservoir layer that is adjacent to the transport layer and is capable of containing between 40% and 100% of its volume of an aqueous liquid, wherein the transport layer and reservoir layer are permeably interconnected for aqueous solutions and are in a substantial osmotic equilibrium. The invention also includes a method of wound treatment utilizing the bioreactor wound dressing.

Abstract: A method of fastening a liquid-impervious sheet (7) to a wound pad (5) that is comprised of an elastic, hydrophilic material and that will expand in all directions when absorbing fluid. The pad (5) is stretched to a given extent both longitudinally and transversally in the plane of the pad and a flat liquid-impervious sheet (7) is then applied to the stretched pad and the load acting on the pad is removed. An absorbent dressing that includes an inventive wound pad (13) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicate-containing composition for use in an orthopedic support material. The silicate-containing composition includes a water-soluble silicate, wherein at least about 1 part of the water-soluble silicate is soluble in about 6 parts water at 25.degree. C. Preferably, the water-soluble silicate has the formula SiO.sub.2 /M.sub.2 O wherein M is Li, Na, K, or NR.sub.4, wherein each R is independently hydrogen or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)organic group.

Abstract: A novel method of preparation of easily stripped off temporary wound dressing material is disclosed. In this process, the-N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) monomer is successfully grafted on the non-woven cloths by copolymerization. It is initiated by .gamma.-ray irradiation to activate the surface of the non-woven cloth. NIPAAm is then grafted onto the surface of the non-woven cloth. The free radical or peroxide is produced by Co-60 .gamma.-ray, then grafted on the non-woven cloths. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in thermoresponsive poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) is still retained after the grafting. This will make the dressing cloth stripped off easily and without hurting the tissue. The material process is very simple and has medically applicable value.

Abstract: An ankle splint product includes an ankle splint for being custom-formed to the shape of an ankle while flexible and upon hardening providing a rigid, supporting custom fit. The ankle splint product includes an outer container formed of moisture-impervious material, and first and second flexible ankle splint segments positioned in the container in substantially moisture-free conditions and sealed therein against entry of moisture until use. Each of the first and second ankle splint segments includes an elongate substrate and a reactive system impregnated into or coated onto the substrate. The system remains stable when maintained in substantially moisture-free conditions and hardens upon exposure to moisture to form a rigid, self supporting structure. An elongate, flexible protective pad is positioned on one side of the substrate along its length to provide a cushioning barrier between the substrate and the skin of a patient when the ankle splint is in use.