Abstract: A superior skin barrier enhancing body facing material on an absorbent article, can be made applying, on the outer surface of the body facing material, a melted lipid-enriched hydrophilic composition comprising a hydrophilic solvent, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a fatty alcohol (C14-C30 or greater), humectant, an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range greater than 7, a sterol or sterol derivative, and a natural fat or oil, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of solid compositon on the outer surface of the body facing material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-occlusive adhesive skin patch. The patch includes a woven or nonwoven porous backing having a front side and a back side. The patch also includes a therapeutic formulation located on the front side of the backing. The backing includes a flexible sheet of water insoluble porous material. The therapeutic formulation includes a medicament useful for relieving topical discomfort and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The therapeutic formulation optionally includes a solvent that can effectively dissolve the medicament. The present invention also provides a method for alleviating topical discomfort. The method includes applying an adhesive skin patch of the present invention to skin inflicted with a topical disorder.

Abstract: A method for irrigation of a wound, said method comprising a reservoir housing containing a wound irrigation solution and a discharge means attachable thereto, said discharge means having at least one port therethrough wherein said port, or ports forms a nozzle for directing a pressurized dispersed stream of said solution.

Abstract: A non-contact covering for covering skin. A peripheral sealing ring is covered by a barrier layer and this assembly is attached to the skin with an adhesive. The barrier layer and peripheral sealing ring together define a treatment volume over the skin. The barrier layer may include active and passive heaters and the sealing ring may dispense water to control the humidity of the treatment volume. One form of active heat is the transfer of a heated fluid to the covering.

Abstract: A multilayer composite material and method for evaporative cooling of a person employs an evaporative cooling liquid that changes phase from a liquid to a gaseous state to absorb thermal energy. The evaporative cooling liquid is absorbed into a superabsorbent material enclosed within the multilayer composite material. The multilayer composite material has a high percentage of the evaporative cooling liquid in the matrix. The cooling effect can be sustained for an extended period of time because of the high percentage of phase change liquid that can be absorbed into the superabsorbent. Such a composite can be used for cooling febrile patients by evaporative cooling as the evaporative cooling liquid in the matrix changes from a liquid to a gaseous state to absorb thermal energy. The composite can be made with a perforated barrier material around the outside to regulate the evaporation rate of the phase change liquid.

Abstract: An orthopaedic support (50) or product is formed of a doubleknit type fabric material with spaced interwoven layers formed of high strength materials, and an open-work matrix of filaments or threads interconnecting the layers. The fabric may be impregnated with water hardened urethane. Hydroxy propyl methyl-cellulose (HPMC) will also be applied to the doubleknit type material or other casting fabric in sufficient amount to reduce the stickiness of the water hardened urethane. The HPMC may be mixed in with the water surfaces of the doubleknit type material. The orthopaedic support (50) or product is packaged in a water-vapor impermeable package; and is opened. Water is supplied to the fabric when it is applied to the part of the anatomy requiring support. The fabric may be included in a soft goods' support including a water distribution network, and straps (74) to hold the support in place.

Abstract: This is a handheld eye flushing apparatus that comprises an eyecup that holds eyewash liquid in it for eye flushing. The rim of the eyecup is contoured to the eye orbit and rests on the eye orbital area. Attached to the inside of the eyecup is a stirring mechanism that stirs the eyewash liquid during usage. The force and the duration of the stirring is predetermined to prevent eye damage. This apparatus accommodates the free movement of the eyelids and the eyeball inside of the eyecup during utilization. The rim of this eyecup may have a liner to further increase comfort and liquid sealing around the eye. An magnetic strip may be placed near the bottom part of the rim to catch ferrous metal particles in industrial environment usage. An grid may be added between the rim and the agitator to keep the user away from the agitator.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus for treatment of surface wounds with a bandage system configured to control the environment adjacent the wound. The apparatus includes a bandage configured to cover a wound and provide a seal about the perimeter of the wound and cavity over the wound. A fluid supply conduit and a fluid drainage conduit are each in communication with the cavity. A nebulizer is coupled to the supply conduit to supply medicinal fluid to the wound. A waste receptacle is coupled to the drainage conduit to remove the fluid away from the wound.

Abstract: A bandage for a torso of a patient comprises a sheet part having a sheet member piece which for covering of a patient's torso, a neck fastening member for fastening the upper edge of the sheet part to a neck of the patient, an underarm fastening member to fasten the middle part of the sheet part to a body trunk part of the patient, and a waist fastening member to fasten the lower edge of the sheet part to a waist of the patient. The sheet part includes a abdomen covering part in a two substantially -equal-sided trapezoidal shape. The base is shorter than the top. The upper abdomen covering part is a rectangular shape in which the top of the lower abdomen covering part is the bottom side. The chest covering part is a two-substantially equal-sided trapezoid shape in which the top side of the upper abdomen covering part is the base and the top is shorter than the base. The neck covering part is a substantially rectangular shape in which the top of the chest covering part is the bottom side.

Abstract: The present invention is for a kit containing components for making decorated adhesive bandages. The kit comprises: a) at least one adhesive bandage comprising a backing, an adhesive layer on one side thereof and an absorbent pad affixed to the adhesive; and b) at least one decorative element selected from adhesive stickers and adhesive tattoos. The decorative element comprises a substrate, a decorative pattern thereon and an adhesive layer. The decorative element is designed to be securely fixed to the upper surface of the bandage. The decorative element is separate from and unsecured to the bandage in the kit. The decorative elements are preferably stickers. By carefully selecting and matching the materials in the bandages and the decorative elements, decorative bandages that are flexible, conformable, and contain a decoration that is resistant to delamination under wet and dry conditions may be custom-made by the consumer at point-of-use.

Abstract: Gloves and harnesses for allowing patients to do rehabilitation and reeducation exercises. A first version allows a therapist to exercise a second person's hand(s) including their fingers, wrists, and arms by overlying the palm(s) of the therapist's hand(s) over the dorsum back of the patient's hand(s). The therapist wears a glove(s) having fasteners extending from the sides of the pinkie, fourth finger, middle finger, index finger and thumb, and a wrist portion, for wrapping about the corresponding fingers and wrist of the patients hand(s). The fasteners can include hook and loop straps, and self adhesive straps, and the like. A second version is a grasp assistance glove used by a single person where a patient wears a glove(s) having fastener straps extending outward from the tips of the pinkie, fourth finger, middle finger, index finger, and thumb portions, and a fastener attached to the palm portion of the glove.

Abstract: A soft, flexible, low friction enclosing device designed to function as a protective support for the human body when lying in bed or on other horizontal surfaces. A support wrap (10) is made of sturdy, flame-retardant low friction material such as nylon for durability and for ease of moving enclosed patient along the surface of a bed or chair. An inner lining made of soft and pliable composite material such as foam rubber is enveloped by the support wrap (10). Velcro latches (30, 40) at predetermined locations provide means for attachment when the support is closed around the body.

Abstract: A glove for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. It includes a flexible open-ended sleeve with a side thumb hole. It has a cushion on the inner surface of the front of the glove, which covers the carpal tunnel area. The sleeve is highly yieldable and elastic and is essentially of single thickness throughout.

Abstract: A housing is secured to an area of skin to allow suction to be applied to a local area of skin through an aperture. After formation of a suction blister, a blade is actuated to sever a suction cup thereby detaching the means for creating suction at the aperture and at the same time removing the roof of the suction blister to expose an area of dermis from which the skin's epidermis has been removed. A rotatable portion of the apparatus is then moved into a position in which a port communicates with a compartment within the rotatable portion. The compartment may contain a reservoir of fluid substance to be transdermally absorbed or may contain means for taking a sample of exudate produced at the exposed dermis. A modified apparatus has means for applying suction to the exposed dermis to enhance the rate at which exudate is formed and for handling a sample of exudate for analysis. Transdermal delivery and sampling are thereby achieved non-invasively and without the impediment of the skin's epidermis.

Abstract: An extension indicator is provided for determining a predetermined extension applied to an extensibly deformable article such as medical bandage used in compression therapy. The indicator includes first (420) and second (430) co-operating members, each adapted to be secured to an extensibly deformable article (440). One of the members is more extensible than the other and each member (420, 430) bears visual indicia (450, 460, 470) which upon extension of the more extensible member, are adapted to align with each other to indicate a predetermined extension of the more extensible member.

Abstract: A covering to treat tissue by raising the temperature of the tissue toward a normothermic level includes a flexible material with upper and lower surfaces and an opening to face a tissue treatment area, an attachment portion near the lower surface, and a heater layer supported by the upper surface, over the opening, to maintain tissue at a temperature in a range from a pretreatment temperature to about 38° C.

Abstract: A cranial remodeling orthosis (10) for inducing directed growth and remodeling of an irregularly shaped skull (12). The orthosis (10) comprises a headpiece (14) having an outer wall (18) and an inner wall (16), the inner wall (16) being shaped to receive the skull (12) and having at least one recess (26) formed therein to provide a volume into which the skull (12) may be remodeled. The orthosis (10) further comprises a first expandable bladder (20) located on the inner wall (16) of the headpiece (14) whereby when the orthosis (10) is placed on the skull (12) and the bladder (20) is expanded, the recess (26) and the expanded bladder (20) cooperate to cause cranial remodeling.

Abstract: An eye fluid applicator. A hand grip part has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end and the proximal end define an axis therebetween, a distal direction, and a proximal direction along the axis. A container includes a bottle part and a delivery orifice for delivery of a stream or drops. The orifice defines a fluid delivery axis and a fluid delivery direction from the bottle through the orifice along the fluid delivery axis. The container orifice is arranged closer to the proximal end of the container than the distal end. An eye cup part has a rim and a cavity. The rim defines a contact plane, a contact axis normal to the contact plane, and a contact direction along the contact axis from the cavity toward the rim. The eye cup is arranged at the orifice. The proximal direction of the hand grip and the contact direction of the eye cup form an acute angle therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical articles having a fluid control film component which comprise a sheet having microchannels that permit directional flow of a liquid. Articles incorporating the fluid control film include: wound dressings, wound drains, tympanostomy fluid wicks, intravenous access site dressings, drug delivery dressings, and sweat collection patches.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.