Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system having first and second buttons bonded to an elastic strap member in respective first and second end regions. The straps are adapted to attach to a garment and maintain the garment in place during use. Reinforcement members are provided within reinforcement zones surrounding the attachment locations of each of the buttons. The reinforcement members locally stabilize the strap member near the attachment locations to minimize or eliminate rolling and twisting of the sides of the strap members during use.

Abstract: An extracorpeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure. Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading a blood processing vessel into a blood processing channel and removing the same after completion of the procedure. Furthermore, the system also includes a variety of features relating to utilizing a blood priming of at least portions of the apheresis system in preparation for the procedure. In addition, the system includes a variety of features enhancing the performance of the apheresis system, including the interrelationship between the blood processing vessel and the blood processing vessel and the utilization of high packing factors for the procedure.

Abstract: A cardioplegia delivery device for providing variable ratio delivery of blood and cardioplegia solution to a patient. The device includes separate pumps for crystalloid and blood. A heat exchanger control circuit is provided which includes a heater and an ice bath for warming or cooling the cardioplegia fluid delivered to the patient. The heat exchanger control circuit includes a priming circuit which may be used to purge air bubbles from the circuit.

Abstract: A disposable sanitary article including a first member of an absorbent material, a second member of impervious material releasably attached to the first member, and at least one third member of impervious material enclosed by the second member. The second member is in the form of a bag. The third member sealingly encloses a cleaning item. The third member is either encompassed by an exterior surface or interior surface of the second member, or formed integrally with the second member.

Abstract: A pack (10) for carrying an IV bag (12) and an ambulatory IV pump (16). The pack includes an inner back (30) and an outer back (32) that are sewn together on three edges to form a pocket (38) in which a plastic plate (40) is inserted to provided rigidity. A pair of inner flaps (64, 66) secure the IV bag against the back of the pack. Several straps (42, 50, 52, 62) also secure the IV bag in place, limiting its lateral and longitudinal movement relative to the back of the pack. Outer flaps (70, 72) overlap to enclose the IV bag. One of the outer flaps includes a pocket (14) in which the IV pump (16) is carried. The flaps and straps are secured by engaging a hook material attached to one surface of the strap or flap to a loop material attached to another surface.

Abstract: A body fluid collection, storage and transfusion system which contains a polymer-iodine coating to destroy toxic microorganisms. The system is intended to be used to disinfect blood or blood products, as well as urine, wound exudates, serum, plasma, drainage fluids and synovial fluids.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a compound sanitary napkin. The compound sanitary napkin comprises a primary absorbent member including an absorbent core and an outer cover. The primary absorbent member has a second portion and an first portion; the first portion being vertically opposed to the second portion. The width of the first portion is greater than the width of the second portion. The compound sanitary napkin further comprises a secondary absorbent member that is joined with the primary absorbent member juxtaposed the second portion. The secondary absorbent member preferably comprises a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent material joined thereto. Optionally, the secondary absorbent member includes a backsheet, a topsheet joined to the backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the top sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bag container (1) suitable for use in dispensing liquid e.g. for intravenous administration, at a controlled rate. The bag comprises a first compartment (2) for holding a main body of liquid to be dispensed, and a second compartment (4) for holding a small portion of the liquid (6) and disposed substantially below the first compartment (2). The first compartment (2) is connected to the second compartment (4) by a syphon conduit (8), and the second compartment (4) is provided with an outlet (18). The second compartment (4) is formed and arranged so that syphoning can be maintained in use of the bag (1) in a dispensing attitude thereof, whereby a substantially constant head of liquid (6) is maintained in the second compartment (4) during dispensing of most of said liquid (6) held in said bag container (1).

Abstract: A combination pressure pod and access site apparatus is suitable for use in a medical tubing set. The combination pressure pod and access site comprises a pressure sensing chamber and a measured fluid chamber separated by a pressure transmissive diaphragm. An access site having a needle or needle-less septum is in fluid communication with the measured fluid chamber and permits and withdrawing fluids from, the measured fluid chamber through the access site. One or more of the combination pressure sites and access sites may be provided in a simplified blood tubing set for an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, such as a hemodialysis apparatus.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a blood tubing set on a dialysis machine after the blood tubing set has been used in a dialysis treatment. One end of the blood tubing set is connected to a disinfection port on the dialysis machine and an opposite end of the blood tubing set is connected to a waste drain. The dialysis machine provides a supply of a disinfectant solution to the disinfection port. A blood pump on the dialysis machine pumps the disinfectant solution from the disinfection port to the waste drain through the blood tubing set to expel contaminants from the blood tubing set. The blood tubing set is preferably connected to a dialyzer which is disinfected when the disinfectant solution is pumped through the blood tubing set. A supply of cleaning solution or water may be pumped through the blood tubing set and dialyzer to expel the disinfectant solution. A supply of air may be pumped through the blood tubing set and dialyzer to expel substantially all fluid from the blood tubing set and dialyzer.

Abstract: A liquid absorbent pad includes an elastically stretchable basic sheet upon which an absorbent core is periodically bonded. The absorbent core is bonded while the basic sheet is stretched. The absorbent core includes a structure which encourages the formation of corrugations therein when the basic sheet is released. The corrugations enable the flow of material in the troughs of the corrugations, and thereby reduce soilage of the upper surface of the absorbent core by fetal matter. The liquid absorbent pad is suitable for undergarment use in which the basic sheet includes a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. In one embodiment, the structure which encourages the formation of corrugations includes gaps between adjacent strips of absorbent material. In another embodiment, the structure is periodic regions of reduced density or rigidity. In a further embodiment, the structure includes periodic longitudinal indentations alternating on opposite sides of the absorbent pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardiotomy reservoir for containing blood comprising a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a continuous sidewall portion, the top portion and bottom portion connected to the sidewall portion to form an enclosed reservoir. The housing has a blood inlet, a blood outlet, and an air outlet. The housing also has a trap at the bottom portion of the housing, and the blood outlet is connected to a tube that draws from the trap at the bottom portion of the housing. The housing has a filter interposed between the trap and the inside of the main portion of the housing.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin shaped to fit the contours of a thong garment from the front of the wearer to the crotch of the wearer. The napkin is generally "V" shaped, so that the vertex of the "V" can be positioned below the vagina of the wearer. The napkin is generally V-shaped with a bulb-shaped top end and an elongated lower portion, so that the vertex of the "v" can be positioned below the vagina of the wearer.

Abstract: Reduced cost absorbent articles comprising improved tape tabs. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a one-piece tape tab joined to each of the ear flaps of the absorbent article. At least a portion of the absorbent article adjacent the end of the tape tab which is permanently joined to the ear flap is mechanically manipulated so as to provide a release surface for storing the fastening end of the tape tab. This embodiment eliminates the need for an added release agent or material, and thus, reduces the overall cost of manufacturing the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent product comprising a liquid permeable surface sheet, a liquid nonpermeable back sheet and an absorbent layer located therebetween, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a water nonswellable synthetic fiber (a) and optionally cellulose fiber (b), and a water-absorbent resin (c), with the weight ratio of (a):(b) being (100 to 20):(0 to 80) and the percentage content of (c) based on the weight sum of (a), (b) and (c) is 25 to 75 weight %. The absorbent layer is treated with polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surface active agent (d1) and/or a nonsilicone surface active agent having HLB of 8 to 14 (d2). Absorbent products of the present invention exhibit excellent shape retention in the moist state and good permeability and diffusibility for the absorbed liquid. Accordingly, they provide excellent surface dryness, reduced leakage and thus can be comfortably used for a long time and effectively applied to disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence pads.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure. Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading a blood processing vessel into a blood processing channel and removing the same after completion of the procedure. Furthermore, the system also includes a variety of features relating to utilizing a blood priming of at least portions of the apheresis system in preparation for the procedure. In addition, the system includes a variety of features enhancing the performance of the apheresis system, including the interrelationship between the blood processing vessel and the blood processing vessel and the utilization of high packing factors for the procedure.

Abstract: A device and method for extracorporeal whole body hyperthermia treatment of a patient's blood using alpha-stat regulation of blood pH and pCO.sub.2 is described. The respiratory rate of a patient is either increased or decreased in accordance with the changes in pH, pCO.sub.2, and base excess. The regulation of blood during the hyperthermic treatment of the patient's blood stabilizes the biochemical reactions fundamental to the metabolic welfare of the organisms within the patient's blood while the viruses within the patient's blood are eliminated.

Abstract: An absorbent article of hygiene with a double leakproofing barrier of simple and economical manufacture includes two side flaps (11) secured together at their transverse ends and a lengthwise fold (16) pointing vertically towards the interior, to form an oblong central opening (17) about the absorbent pad (2) which constitutes a peripheral first leakproofing barrier, the two vertical folds themselves constituting a side second leakproofing barrier.

Abstract: The relatively loose fiting external portion of the garment has a waistband. An internal shell is adapted to extend between the legs of the wearer from the front portion of the waistband to the rear portion of the waistband. The shell forms a snug fitting support for an absorbent pad which retains the pad in a position closely adjacent the body. The shell is preferably made of mesh-like elastic material. A liquid impermeable pouch may be attached to the shell to receive the pad in a removeable fashion.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system that is easy for the wearer to remove but during use is adapted to resist pop-offs caused by clothing being applied or removed over the absorbent article. The fastening system includes an interlocking fastening component with a backing substrate having a grasping section, a primary attachment section, and secondary attachment sections transversely outward from the grasping section. A plurality of upstanding engaging elements such as hooks are disposed exclusively in the primary and secondary attachment sections.