Abstract: A drainable ostomy pouch having sidewalls of flexible sheet material defining a cavity therebetween and a downwardly-extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening that is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by unfolding the neck portion downwardly. Each of the sidewalls of the neck portion is provided with a transversely-extending bias member that is formed of stiff but flexible, springlike plastic material. The bias members are normally flat so as to be in straight parallel closed condition but are openable under inwardly-directed finger pressure applied to their opposite ends to cause them to bow outwardly away from each other.

Abstract: A urine collection bag support for supporting a urine collection bag, worn by a male urinary incontinence patient in conjunction with an external catheter, provides a cloth pouch, wherein the urine collection bag is enveloped, so that both the cloth pouch and also the urine collection bag enveloped therein are commonly supported by a suspension strap attached to a belt worn by the patient. The cloth pouch and the urine collection bag enveloped therein swing freely across the patient's thigh when the male urinary incontinence patient engages in physical activity.

Abstract: A tampon pledget having a top end, a bottom end, a first side end, a second side end, and a central portion between the first side end and the second side end. A first cord and a second cord are attached to the central portion. The first cord and the second cord lie in parallel planes.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene pad has a wider absorbent forward pad portion and a relatively narrow rear portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material structure for use in absorbent articles, and an absorbent article comprising such a material structure. The material structure (1) comprises a liquid-pervious cover layer (2), a liquid-impervious cover layer (3), and an absorbent structure (4, 4?) enclosed between the cover layers (2, 3). Thereby, the absorbent structure (4, 4?) comprises polylactide fibres or filaments, the properties of which contributing to a rapid acquisition of liquid through the liquid-pervious cover layer (2) for absorption into the absorbent structure (4, 4?) also when the material structure (1) is subjected to repeated wettings. The invention can advantageously be applied within the field of absorbent hygiene articles, such as different types of diapers and incontinence guards, sanitary napkins, pantyliners, and the like.

Abstract: A tube connection adapter for coupling one or more tubes of a chest drainage system to a bottle. The adapter has a body adapted to fit onto the mouth of a bottle, the body having an inlet fitting adapted to be connected to a tube of the drainage system to permit entry of fluid into the bottle, and a pressure relief valve adapted to communicate with the interior of the bottle to permit release of pressure in the event of a pressure build-up occurring within the bottle. The pressure relief valve may include a simple ball valve or poppet valve and can be fitted into the adapter body even when there are two or more inlet/outlet fittings.

Abstract: A fibrous structure is described for use in hygienic articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence guards, wipes and the like, having one or more polar, silicon containing compounds bound to at least one portion of the surface of the fibrous structure by interaction between the surface and the silicon containing compounds. The fibrous structure exhibits a predetermined degree of hydrophilicity and adhesion properties which are substantially unaffected by wetting of the fibrous structure. Absorbent, hygienic and textile articles comprising such a fibrous structure are also described.

Abstract: A disposable liquid-absorbent pad includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core interposed between these two sheets. The pad is folded inwardly in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges with the topsheet inside in a rear region, and folded outwardly in a transverse direction along folding lines extending in a longitudinal direction and joined together along the folding lines so that in the rear region of the pad defines an excretion receiving space extending up- and rearward to a rear end defining an apex and a pair of flanges extending outwardly from the respective folding lines to the side edges.

Abstract: A disposable diaper including a fluid-permeable topsheet, a fluid-impermeable backsheet and a fluid-retentive absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the disposable diaper being formed in a substantially vertically elongated configuration and having a stomach side, a back side and a crotch region positioned between the stomach side and the back side, wherein a second absorbent core is disposed at an outside region of each opposite side edge of the absorbent core at the crotch region along a longitudinal direction of the diaper, and an elastic member disposed at the region where the lateral absorbent cores are disposed along a longitudinal direction of the diaper.

Abstract: Elastically stretchable disposable pants that include first and second lateral waist regions, which are formed in at least a front waist region with substantially inelastic guide zones arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction. The pants thus constructed can be smoothly pulled up to a desired level at which the pants are properly worn.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance and a mounting disc include an ostomy pouch having a stoma receiving portal. The mounting disc is sealed about the portal and includes a flexible plastic disc having a convex central body portion and a surrounding annular rim. A first foam disc having an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the rim is adhesively adhered to the plastic disc. A second foam disc is adhered to an adhesive face of the first foam disc and has an outer diameter greater than the plastic disc. A hydrocolloid skin shield disc having an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the second foam disc is adhesively adhered to an adhesive face of the second disc.

Abstract: Absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, with a stiffening element (6) which is intended to contribute to the three-dimensional shape of the product during its use. The stiffening element (6) is in a plane state before use of the product and extends in the longitudinal direction of the product over the crotch portion (3) and at least some way in over the front portion (1). The stiffening element (6) has a width (M) at the transition between the crotch portion (3) and the front portion (1) which is adapted to the distance between the muscle tendons of the wearer on both sides of the crotch of the wearer in the groin of the latter and which is of the order of 15-45 mm, and is designed with sufficient stiffness in order to resist disadvantageous creasing thereof in the lateral direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wound drain catheter for draining fluid from, or supplying medication to, a wound in a patient. The wound drain catheter comprises a drain, a flexible outflow tube, and means for connecting the drain to the flexible outflow tube. The drain comprises a hollow core having a longitudinal axis; plural struts extending outwardly from the hollow core and being closed to the hollow core; and plural overhangs connected to the outward ends of the struts, respectively, the overhangs cooperating with the struts to form plural longitudinal lumens, the overhangs cooperating with each other to form, on the outer surface of the drain, segments of a segmented, closed curve with gaps between the segments providing plural longitudinal grooves for fluid communication between the wound and a respective lumen, the grooves sized to inhibit tissue from growing therein and debris from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable body fluid absorbent article includes a liquid-absorbent core. The core is provided in the vicinity of opposite side edges extending in a longitudinal direction with depressed regions tapering from an upper surface toward a lower surface of the core. A density of the core components in the depressed regions is lower then or equal to a density of the core components in the remaining region of the core.

Abstract: The invention provides a deformable pad (1) for removably securing an ostomy bag to the skin of a patient consisting essentially of a plastics film bonded to an adhesive material (3); the pad having an opening (7) for receiving stomal waste, the opening (7) being surrounded by a pliable unreinforced convex formation on a bodyside face of the pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a backsheet, an absorbent storage layer, a liquid guide layer, and a top layer. The absorbent storage layer, the liquid guide layer and the top layer satisfy the following relationships: the liquid guide layer>the absorbent storage layer>the top layer with respect to a water absorbency due to capillary phenomenon; the liquid guide layer>the absorbent storage layer>the top layer with respect to a retention ratio of a liquid dropped onto the top layer in an amount less than a maximum water absorption amount of the liquid guide layer; and the absorbent storage layer>the liquid guide layer>the top layer with respect to a retention ratio of a liquid dropped onto the top layer in an amount more than the maximum water absorption amount of the liquid guide layer.

Abstract: In a reusable collecting bag such as a stoma bag (1) having a narrowed discharge portion (8) including a slit-like discharge opening in the vicinity of its distal end the discharge portion (8) is brought from an open position for emptying the bag through the discharge opening (9) and a closed position of use by folding and unfolding the discharge portion (8) about at least one folding line (24) transverse to the longitudinal direction of the discharge portion (8). To avoid or reduce faecal contamination of the discharge portion (8) in connection with emptying of the bag a series (16, 18) of sequentially peelable stacked protective members (17, 19) is applied to each of two surface sections of the discharge portion (8) adjacent the discharge opening (9).

Abstract: Indwelling catheter having an upper distal end having a portion that can expand within a bladder type spaces without having to be inflated. An embodiment allows for at least one slit on an upper side of the catheter tube and a head member that when pulled down by a stylette moving inside the catheter causes a bulge wing portion(s) that holds the catheter safely and painlessly within the bladder. Magnetic and electret valves can be included inside the tube of the catheter that can cycle between open and closed positions when activated by normal bladder pressure when urination is desired. The novel catheter tube can naturally conform to an opening and closing urethra during natural bladder drainage. The catheter tube surface can include an anti-microbial layer that is either or both coated and impregnated thereon with either an antibacterial and/or hydrophyllic materials. Sampling ports can be located on both inside catheter tube valves and on an externally attached magnetic valve.

Abstract: A wound dressing member is provided for use in a vacuum bandage connected to a vacuum source. The wound dressing member is also provided for use with a wound having a wound surface. The wound dressing member includes a wound facing surface adapted to be in contact with and generally conform to the wound surface and a plurality of discrete holes formed in the wound facing surface. The member further includes a port configured to communicate with the vacuum source and with each hole formed in the wound facing surface. The wound dressing member further includes a stand-off having interconnected portions coupled to the wound facing surface and configured to provide a space between the wound facing surface and the wound surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles comprising skin health and odor control additives for the treatment and prevention of skin irritation. The skin health treatment additive comprises an oil soluble wax that forms a tight lattice to protect the skin, and vitamins, lipids and triglycerides to protect and replenish the skin. Such disposable absorbent articles of the present invention are especially advantageous for the treatment and skin breakdown leading to partial full thickness wounds or pressure ulcers.