Abstract: A dual-lumen catheter is disclosed that allows access to the vascular system of humans or animals for the high volume fluid flow related to hemodialysis or therapeutic apheresis. One lumen is circular with a wall thickness and material such that the lumen remains open during the fluid exchange. The second lumen is relatively thin walled designed to collapse against the first lumen under the pressure associated with the vascular system. This collapsing provide a minimum cross section of the catheter as it enters the body and the vascular system. However, the second lumen opens under pressure as a high volume fluid flow is introduced into the vascular system through the second lumen. This high volume fluid flow into the body is most often a return of fluid removed from the body via the thicker walled lumen.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump tube holder includes a body that supports a flexible tubing loop in an erect, outwardly bowed position extending from the body for engagement with a peristaltic pump rotor. The holder also includes a receptacle carrying the body. The receptacle includes a wall forming a chamber that covers the flexible tubing loop and at least partially shields it from contact. The chamber further serves, during engagement between the tubing loop and a peristaltic pump rotor, as a cover for the peristaltic pump rotor.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin with laterally projecting positioning tabs. The adhesive securement system of the sanitary napkin includes three adhesive zones in a spaced apart relationship, namely one zone on the main body of the sanitary napkin and one zone on the undergarment facing surface of each positioning tab. A quick-remove peelable protective layer covers the adhesive zones when the sanitary napkin is not in use. The protective layer includes a primary release strip extending longitudinally on the sanitary napkin to cover the adhesive zone on the main body and a transverse secondary release strip overlaying the adhesive zones on the positioning tabs. This arrangement allows removal of entire protective layer in a single peel-off stroke. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for folding a positioning tab of the sanitary napkin over its main body during a packaging operation that inserts the sanitary napkin in a disposable pouch.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent assembly comprising a liquid impermeable member having a pair of laterally opposed side margins. The laterally opposed side margins of the liquid impermeable member are defined by longitudinal fold lines which define the folded portion having longitudinal end portions, an intermediate portion between said longitudinal end portion, and a distal edge. The longitudinal end portions are joined to the absorbent assembly intermediate the width of said absorbent assembly. The distal edge of the folded portion is unjoined to said absorbent assembly in at least a portion of the intermediate portion of said folded portion. The absorbent assembly further includes an absorbent core joined to the liquid impervious member and including a retention portion. A bodyside liner at least partially covers the retention portion and extends laterally beyond longitudinal side margins of the retention portion by at least about 12 millimeters to define stiffening elements.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods establish on line communication between a container and a source of blood containing leukocytes and platelets, such as a human donor. The systems and methods create a centrifugal field between the source of blood and the container that separates from the blood an unfinished suspension of platelets having a first physiologic characteristic different than the desired physiologic characteristic. The systems and methods pump the unfinished platelet suspension outside the centrifugal field through a finishing device. The finishing device changes the first physiologic characteristic to the desired physiological characteristic, thereby creating the finished platelet suspension. The systems and methods convey the finished platelet suspension from the finishing device directly into the container. The systems and methods function without interrupting the on line communication between the container and the source of blood.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a breathable fluid impervious backsheet. The disposable absorbent article preferably includes a fluid pervious topsheet, a breathable, fluid impervious backsheet secured to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The breathable, fluid impervious backsheet exhibits substantially zero dynamic fluid transmission when subjected to an impact energy of about 1000 joules/m.sup.2, and exhibits a mass vapor transmission rate of at least about 2000 g/m.sup.2 /24 hr.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent core structure comprising storage cells and acquisition cells that is useful, for example, for disposable absorbent garments. Within the storage cells of the absorbent core structure is disposed a quantity of superabsorbent material. The acquisition cells are devoid of superabsorbent material or other materials that would impede the movement of liquid therethrough and are preferably open. The acquisition cells can thus function as channels that allow liquids to be freely distributed within the absorbent core structure by mass flow and/or capillary action, thus helping to prevent gel blocking.

Abstract: A bottle having a sterility seal and a method for producing same are disclosed. The bottle, which can be configured to retain a medicament in powder or tablet form, features a protective cap configured to engage a transfer assembly associated with the bottle. The cap includes one or more raised ridges on an interior surface engageable with a portion of the transfer assembly. A band or layer configuration of a sealing material such as silicone is applied to the transfer assembly prior to insertion of the cap thereover. As the cap comes into surface contact with the sealing material, the ridges cause the material to "roll up" into a toroidal O-ring configuration, thereby forming a seal between the cap and the bottle adapted to the dimensional variations of those components.

Abstract: A system compact enough to be located entirely beside the donor's chair, and able to process the blood while the donor is still resting in the chair after having donated the blood. The separated blood components (plasma and red blood cells) may be stored in their individual optimum environments immediately after the whole blood is drawn, and the blood does not need to be transported back to a separation laboratory for processing. The system includes a needle (72) (or other cannula-like device) for insertion into a vein of the donor and drawing whole blood therethrough, a rotor (2a) for holding the blood after it is drawn, and a motor (50) for spinning the rotor so as to cause the blood to separate into components, for example, plasma and red blood cells. The system also provides for a container for collecting a separated component.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article defines a first side portion, a second side portion, and a longitudinal centerline between the side portions. The absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent insert which is connected to the outer cover. The outer cover comprises a first side panel which is located in the first side portion of the absorbent article and a second side panel which is located in the second side portion of the absorbent article. An edge of the first side panel is connected to an edge of the second side panel to provide a seam which extends along the longitudinal centerline between the side portions of the absorbent article. The opposite waist regions on each side panel are configured to encircle the legs of the wearer and releasably engage together about the hips of the wearer. The disposable absorbent article has an aesthetically pleasing garment-like appearance and is readily refastenable about the hips of the wearer.

Abstract: In a method for conveying live animals, a conveying channel having a dosing belt is moved in a conveying direction and side walls extending along the dosing belt separated by animal shoulder widths confine the animals. Standing animals are loaded onto the belt in a column with the head of each animal oriented in a desired direction relative to the conveying direction and with separation between the animals. Separating barriers transversely across the dosing belt are moved with the dosing belt and the animals to maintain separation between the animals. A chest belt can be employed to carry the animals, substantially fixing their positions.

Abstract: An otological drain tube which is capable of being implanted in the ear drum to vent the differential pressure that can build up across the ear drum as the result of blocked eustachian tubes, a buildup of internal liquid pressure in the inner ear due to illness, or a change in atmospheric pressure. The otological tube comprising: a cap-plug, a central body, an end cap. And a means for permanently securing the elements together. The assembly of these elements creates a plurality of lumens of a requisite cross sectional area within the otological drain tube body. The primary object of the invention is to produce an otological drain tube which is extremely effective and economical to produce.

Abstract: A contoured nursing pad for absorbing fluid from a woman's breast including a first layer having a top, a second layer having a top, bottom, and middle, a third, annular layer having an aperture, top, and bottom, and a fourth layer having a bottom. The bottom of the second layer is secured to the top of the first layer. The bottom of the third layer is secured to both the top of the first layer and the top of the second layer. The middle of the second layer is received within the aperture of the third layer. The bottom of the fourth layer is secured to the top of the third layer and the top of the second layer.In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the first layer includes a first area and a second area. The second area of the first layer includes a first plurality of non-uniform gathers. The fourth layer includes a first area and a second area. The second area of the fourth layer includes a second plurality of non-uniform gathers. The first areas of the first and fourth layers do not include any gathers.

Abstract: The fluid absorbent members according to the present invention preferably comprise three basic components: chemically stiffened, twisted, and curled bulking fibers, high surface area fibers, and a binder additive such as thermoplastic fibrous material or chemical binders. Fluid absorbent members according to the present invention use a high surface fiber and refining to provide capillary pressure (or suction) to the fluid absorbent member. These high surface area fibers are generally small and highly conformable. They provide the substrate with capillary pressure well in excess of the capillary pressure found in the bulk-providing chemically stiffened, twisted, and curled fibers (unrefined) alone. A presently preferred fiber for this high surface application is the eucalyptus family of wood pulp fibers. Eucalyptus provides desirable capillary pressure characteristics in combination with the chemically stiffened, twisted, and curled fibers and will not easily pass through a forming screen.

Abstract: A blood processing system and associated method include a first variable volume chamber to hold blood and a second variable volume chamber to hold additive solution for blood. The system and method further employ a separation device to remove undesired material from blood. An actuated element exerts external force simultaneously upon both first and second variable volume chambers to expel a first flow of blood from the first variable volume chamber and a second flow of additive solution from the second variable volume chamber. The system and method mix outside the first and second variable volume chambers the blood flow with the flow of additive solution to create a mixed flow comprising blood and additive solution. The system and method direct the mixed flow of blood and additive solution through a filter to remove undesired matter from the blood.

Abstract: A diaper or other absorbent article may include an absorbent body comprising in sequence from the top (the surface adjacent the wearer's body). An upper assembly (2, 3, 4, 5) comprising an acquisition layer (3) formed of first fibrous material substantially free of superabsorbent material, a superabsorbent layer (5) consisting substantially only of first superabsorbent material having a Gel Layer Permeability value of at least about 4 ml/cm.sup.2 /sec and which is present in an amount of about 20 g/m.sup.2 to 320 g/m.sup.2, a storage assembly (6, 7, 8) that includes second superabsorbent material (7) having an absorption against pressure of at least 15 g/g at 50 g/cm.sup.2 and which comprises an upper storage layer (6) and a lower storage layer (7) containing at least 70% by weight of the total amount of second superabsorbent in the upper and lower storage layers and which has a thickness which is the same as or less than the thickness of the upper storage layer (6).

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent cores for inclusion in articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, designed to provide improved fit and comfort for the wearer while adequately containing body exudates. The absorbent cores are designed so as to retain low levels of fluid in the crotch region, relative to the other core regions, even when the core absorbs significant amounts of fluid during use. To achieve this, the absorbent core is designed such that fluid is moved substantially from the crotch region to the front and/or rear ends of the article. In particular, the absorbent core comprises in its crotch region a distribution material having high fluid flux capabilities even after long periods of time. The material's flux properties reflect its ability to move significant amounts of fluid from the crotch of the core, even after long periods of time (e.g., 10 and 30 minutes).

Abstract: Pulsatile cardiopulmonary flow closely approximating a natural heartbeat is generated in a heart-lung machine by using a proportioning valve to partly convey blood in the machine's cardiopulmonary circuit to the arterial supply line, and to partly recycle that blood into the cardiopulmonary circuit upstream of the arterial pump. The relative proportions of conveying and recycling are varied in accordance with a waveform approximating the waveform of a human heartbeat.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article which includes a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article releasably secured to one another. The second absorbent article is folded along its longitudinal edges to provide side flaps which are releasably secured to the garment facing surface of the first absorbent article.

Abstract: A toilet training diaper having a moisture sensory device embedded therein; said sensory device includes a control device, an energy source, and a sound or light emitting device. A dissolvable device that is sensitive to moisture is placed inside the sensor. Upon reaching certain threshold level of moisture, the dissolvable device disintegrates and causes energy to flow into the control device. The control device then activates a sound or lighting emitting device and alerts the user. The result is that both the wearer of the diaper and persons other than the wearer would be alerted to the fact that the diaper is soiled. This mechanism for alerting the wearer and persons other than the wearer of the diaper can be used as a part of a training system to prevent or reduce toiling problems.