Abstract: A closed drainage system for irrigating ostomies which consists of 1) a standard hospital enema bag and tube, 2) a colostomy bag with a stop cock valve and with a flapped opening for receiving an enema bag tube, 3) a collection bag tube, and 4) a collection bag with hanging hooks and a drain spout. The system allows for large volume ostomy irrigation and, further, allows for the products of irrigation to be enclosed until their controlled removal thereby containing offensive odors, preventing soiled sheets and reducing the risk of spreading infectious diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic or semi-automatic bladder relief system, specifically designed to increase the overall sanitation and comfort for users that may require a means to dispose of their urine in the absence of other sanitary facilities due to situations such as aircraft pilots and incontinent individuals. For user comfort this invention incorporates an inflatable urine collection means that may be deflated after use.

Abstract: An elongate rectilinear strip of skin barrier material is disclosed, such strip being of generally uniform triangular cross section through its length, such triangle having at least two, and preferably three, unequal sides. The strip may be cut to desired length and formed, stretched and/or molded by a user into a generally circular shape or into some other shape that extends about and follows the outline of a wound or stoma.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material laminate for use as a covering sheet on absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, incontinence protectors, diapers, pant diapers, or the like. The material laminate comprises a first, fluid pervious fibrous material layer and a second fluid pervious porous material layer, wherein at least one of the two material layers comprises thermoplastic material and wherein the two material layers are mutually connected by means of the covering material laminate exhibiting bond sites within which the thermoplastic material has been caused to at least partially soften or melt and thereby bond the two material layers together.

Abstract: The applicator is used for a placement of an excreta management device on a wearer. The applicator has a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline, a device facing surface and an opposing surface. The applicator comprises a handle disposed at transverse ends, a pressure portion disposed along the longitudinal centerline, a middle portion disposed between the handle and the pressure portion and a spacer. When the applicator folded into a pair of right and left pieces along the longitudinal centerline, the spacer is inserted between the right and left pieces. The pressure portion presses the excreta management device toward the wearer's skin during the use of the applicator. The opposing surface of the right piece and the opposing surface of the left piece are separated from one another at the middle portion by the spacer when the applicator is folded.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment that includes an absorbent panel and a stretchable skin-facing sheet positioned on a skin-facing side of the panel. The skin-facing sheet has fixed regions lying on longitudinally opposite end regions of the undergarment, a middle region normally biased to be spaced apart upward from the panel, transversely opposite side edge regions transversely inward to define leg-holes and an opening formed in the middle region in a manner that a basis weight of the skin-facing sheet is higher in the transversely opposite side edge regions than in the remaining region and a tensile stress of the skin-facing sheet is higher in the transversely opposite side edge regions than in the remaining region.

Abstract: An ergonomically contoured, snail shaped rectal pad comprising a highly compressible pressure-producing node (2) contiguous to a thin blade-like structure called a tail (4) enveloped in an absorbent sheath. Surrounding these structures are two flap-like lateral wings (6), which form the posterior groove (12). Emerging from the posterior groove is the insertion aperture (10) and the removal tab (14). Encasing the pad is a highly absorbent sheath (16).

Abstract: Absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent body enclosed therebetween. The article seen in longitudinal direction exhibits a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch portion therebetween, and a pair of belt portions attached to the rear portion alternatively the front portion and which are intended by the first fastening elements to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and wherein the front portion alternatively rear portion exhibits second fastening elements intended to be attached to the belt portions, in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions form a part of the waist portions of the pant.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article, such as an infant diaper, a training pant, an incontinence garment and the like, having at least one swellable structure attached thereto for use as a containment dam or support structure. The swellable structure having a swellable layer and a cover material adapted to expand upon swelling of the swellable layer. The pleated cover material allows the swellable layer to swell freely in a z-direction.

Abstract: A manicure/pedicure glove for treatment of damaged skin areas and/or enhancing nail growth is presented. The glove comprises a single layer of breathable material having a second layer of material in a particular treatment area. The second layer of material is impregnated with a wax-based preparation and may or may not be separated from the external layer in the treatment area by a thin plastic film or exterior coating to ensure non-leakage. Alternatively, the glove may only cover the finger or toe tip. In use, the glove is provided. A hand or foot is inserted into the glove and the glove worn for a sufficient period to permit the wax-based preparation to penetrate into the treatment area. The glove is then removed and may be disposed or, or alternatively may be used for a specified number of repeated applications.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance including an adhesive barrier member having a hole for receiving a stoma, ureter, or catheter, an outer receiving member or bag releasably attached to the adhesive barrier member, and a disposable inner bag liner releasably attached to the adhesive barrier member. A single base coupling ring is attached to the barrier member and includes a first coupling area on an inner surface thereof, relative to the hole, and a second coupling on an outer surface thereof. The inner bag, which is coupled to the barrier member using an inner bag coupling ring, is coupled to the barrier member at the first coupling area and the outer receiving member is coupled to the barrier member at the second coupling area, such that both the inner bag and outer receiving member are mounted on the same single barrier member ring.

Abstract: A kit for draining fluids from the body of a patient is provided. The kit eliminates the problem of having to obtain a distinct liquid source and a means for delivering the liquid into a chamber of a chest drain. The kit includes an apparatus configured to receive fluids from the body of the patient. The apparatus defines a chamber to contain a predetermined volume of liquid. The apparatus includes an inlet through which liquid is deliverable to the chamber of the apparatus from an exterior of the apparatus. The kit also includes a container packaged with or attached to the apparatus. The container is prefilled and sealed to contain at least the predetermined volume of liquid. The container includes an outlet configured to deliver at least the predetermined volume of liquid to the chamber of the apparatus through the inlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid-advancing fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable fabrics for making direct contact with the skin. The fluid-advancing fiber has an inner portion and an outer portion, one or more conductive elements adjacent the outer portion, wherein the one or more conductive elements are adapted to constrict when heated by electric current and relax when cooled. The fluid-advancing fiber facilitates comfortable fluid communication between different wearable fabrics and the skin.

Abstract: In a disposable diaper in which an absorbent body is provided between a water-repellent outer sheet and a hydrophilic skin-side sheet made of a nonwoven fabric, raisable strips made of a nonwoven fabric are provided at the opposite sides of the skin-side sheet, elastic threads for raisable gathers are provided in inner edge portions of the raisable strips and the outer edge portions of the raisable strips are adhered to the skin-side sheet, an ooze preventing portion for preventing an ooze of urine and other bodily waste is formed at opposite end portions of the skin-side sheet. Therefore, even if urine and other bodily waste permeate into the skin-side sheet, they do not ooze out from the end portion of the skin-side sheet.

Abstract: A body fluid absorbent panel including openings and a barrier which comprises, in turn, a shape keeping layer formed with a plurality of thermoplastic synthetic resin fibers and a body fluid retaining layer formed with a plurality of thermoplastic synthetic fibers mixed with an absorbent material, wherein the synthetic resin fibers are hot welded together at contact points of these fibers in the shape keeping layer as well as in the body fluid retaining layer and the synthetic resin fibers of these layers are hot welded together at contact points of these fibers along an interface of the shape keeping layer and the body fluid absorbent layer.

Abstract: A treatment fluid dispensing apparatus comprises a fluid impervious layer and an overlying treatment fluid dispensing layer. The fluid treatment dispensing layer comprises a finely woven fabric formed from natural or synthetic fibers which normally retains the treatment fluid and which dispensing the treatment fluid responsive to pressure. The treatment fluid dispensing layer is configured to dispense treatment fluid to areas of the hands and feet over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A medical device for draining fluid from the body of a patient comprises an elongate member that defines a lumen and includes a proximal end and a distal portion. The device further comprises a dilating member disposed in the distal portion of the elongate member. The dilating member comprises a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed state to an expanded state in which the arms protrude radially to anchor the device within the body of the patient. The device includes a tension member that extends through the lumen to the dilating member and couples to the plurality of arms. Application of tension to the tension member causes the arms to move to the collapsed state thereby permitting insertion and removal of the device into and from the body of the patient. Some embodiments include a tension control member disposed at the proximal end of the elongate member and movable in at least a first direction and a second direction to increase and decrease tension to one or more tension members.

Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment adapted to easy application and removal has refastenable side seams. The refastenable side seams extend from a waist opening to each of two leg openings between a front panel and a back panel. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a fastening component and a mating fastening component, each of which comprises either a hook material or a loop material. A portion of the mating fastening component can be die-cut in a sinusoidal or other nesting shape. The resulting refastenable seams can be lap seams, dual fastened lap seams, standing butt seams, or dual fastened standing butt seams.

Abstract: A small volume effusion trap for use with common surgical or medical instruments having a housing unit with two elongate, rigid, hollow members, a vacuum source, and a drainage tube. In an embodiment, a standard, commercially available sample vial attaches to the housing unit to collect the effusion. The sample vial can be utilized directly in standardized diagnostic and/or therapeutic analysis apparatuses. To collect a small volume of effusion, one elongate, rigid, hollow member is connected to standard surgical or medical aspirators and the other elongate, rigid, hollow member is connected to the vacuum line. With suction applied to the elongate, rigid, hollow member, an area of reduced pressure is produced in the sample vial so as to cause aspirated effusion to proceed from the surgical or medical apparatus through the elongate, rigid hollow member into the sample vial.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and a liquid retentive absorbent member interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent member comprises, in admixture, a superabsorbent polymer A having a rate of absorption of 8 g/30 sec/0.3 g or more measured by DW method and a superabsorbent polymer B having a rate of absorption of 5 g/30 sec/0.3 g or less measured by DW method at a polymer A/polymer B weight ratio of 90/10 to 10/90. The admixture optionally further comprises fluff pulp in an amount of from 0 to 30% by weight.