Abstract: Panty underwear includes a pouch disposed above the crotch panel and between the leg openings. The pouch has a top opening opposite the wearer's vaginal opening, so that vaginal discharge flows to a sanitary napkin between the bottom of the pouch and the crotch panel. The pouch provides cooling to the wearer's labia and, in some embodiments, to her perineal area. The cooling is provided by either a single generally rectangular cooling pack, or two cooling packs each being rectangular or J-shaped. The sanitary napkin can be internal or external to the pouch. Some embodiments of the underwear are intended for single use. Other embodiments of the underwear are intended to be re-usable, in that the sanitary napkin can be replaced and/or the cooling pack(s) can be re-used. The cooling pack(s) can be sealed with one-time or reusable thermal material therein, or they can be resealable with replaceable thermal material.

Abstract: An absorbent article that includes a backsheet, a wetness indicator composition having good stability, and an absorbent core. The wetness indicator composition includes a stabilizer, a colorant, and a matrix. The colorant has first and second color states associated with first and second wetness indicator states. The wetness indicator exhibits no color change after 10 days when measured according to the CTH Stability Test.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly and a headgear assembly. The mask assembly comprises a mask seal that is adapted to underlie the nose. The mask seal extends up the lateral sides of the nose. The mask seal has a primary seal below the nose and a secondary seal alongside the nose.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diaper closing strip (1), comprising a substrate (2) and a plurality of mechanical closing elements (3) arranged thereon, which mechanical closing elements have a front-side engaging surface and a rear-side fastening surface, wherein an adhesive element (6) is arranged between the substrate (1) and the rear-side fastening surface of each mechanical closing element (3), which adhesive element does not completely cover the rear-side fastening surface of the mechanical closing element (3).

Abstract: An absorbent pad. A first side of the absorbent pad is configured to abut a patient at a fluid discharging area or other location. Discharging fluid passes through a fluid-permeable liner of the absorbent pad into absorbent material. Liquid may be placed in the absorbent material prior to placing it on a patient and heated or cooled. An overwrap may be wrapped around the patient to hold the hot or cold compress in place while absorbing discharging fluid from the patient. A fluid barrier at a second side of the absorbent pad, parallel with the first side, prevents liquid from passing out of the absorbent pad at the second side. A coupler having hooks is disposed on the second side of the absorbent pad and is configured to engage with fibers of the overwrap in order to secure the absorbent pad in place with respect to the patient and overwrap.

Abstract: Absorbent product having a liquid permeable surface and a liquid impermeable opposite surface, the absorbent product including an odor control material, the odor control material including a carrier material and a plurality of odor control particles adhered to the carrier material. The carrier material has a first surface located towards the liquid permeable surface of the absorbent product and a second opposite surface located towards the liquid impermeable surface of the absorbent product. The plurality of odor control particles are bonded to the second surface of the carrier material with a water soluble binder substance wherein the binder substance at least partly dissolves when in contact with an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A tracheal tube assembly includes an outer cannula configured to be positioned in a patient airway and an inner cannula configured to be disposed inside the outer cannula. The tracheal tube assembly further includes a flange member secured about the outer cannula, and an outer cannula connector coupled to a proximal end of the outer cannula. The inner cannula includes a proximal end region with features that facilitate insertion and/or removal.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly and a headgear assembly. The mask assembly comprises a mask seal that is adapted to underlie the nose. The mask seal extends up the lateral sides of the nose. The mask seal has a primary seal below the nose and a secondary seal alongside the nose.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly and a headgear assembly. The mask assembly comprises a mask seal that is adapted to underlie the nose. The mask seal extends up the lateral sides of the nose. The mask seal has a primary seal below the nose and a secondary seal alongside the nose.

Abstract: Described here are body liners and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage using one or more body liners. The body liners may be formed from one or more liner layers and in some instances may comprise one or more adhesive regions to connect the body liners to the skin of a wearer. The body liners may be configured to absorb fluid, and may selectively distribute fluid relative to the body liner.

Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.

Abstract: A cuff for an air delivery conduit includes a first end portion provided to a tube and a second end portion adapted to engage a tubular connector. The second end portion includes an entry surface that is curved or chamfered along its length to provide a lead in for inserting the second end portion onto the tubular connector in use. The entry surface provides an internal diameter that is larger than an external diameter of the tubular connector.

Abstract: A lateral flow device for testing a bodily fluid, such as urine, blood, mucous, saliva, etc., is provided. The lateral flow device is configured to be attached to an absorbent article via an attachment mechanism located on the lateral flow device or the absorbent article. The lateral flow device includes a chromatographic medium (e.g., porous membrane) that defines a detection zone that provides a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte. The device may also include a control zone that provides a signal indicative of whether a sufficient amount of bodily fluid has been provided and tested. Regardless of its specific configuration, the lateral flow device is configured to be attached onto the absorbent article to provide a user or caregiver with rapid information about a health condition. For example, the device may be attached onto a diaper to provide information about the presence of enzymes or other compounds often encountered with a patient having a urinary tract infection.

Abstract: Provided is an absorbent material and a method of making an absorbent material. The absorbent material comprises a blend of a super-absorbent first type of gel-forming fiber with a second type of gel-forming fiber, wherein the super-absorbent first type of gel-forming fiber is formed from a super-absorbent polymer. Such absorbent materials are useful in the manufacture of absorbent articles such as wound dressings.

Abstract: An over-pressure control device prevents over-pressure conditions during the delivery of pressure treatment therapy to a patient with a respiratory treatment apparatus. The device may prevent delivered pressure from exceeding a first maximum pressure threshold. The device may also prevent the delivered pressure from exceeding a second maximum pressure threshold when the delivered pressure exceeds another pressure threshold for a period of time. In some embodiments, the second maximum pressure threshold may be lower than the first maximum pressure threshold. In an example embodiment, a set of comparators are configured to compare pressure with a maximum pressure threshold and to control a reduction in the pressure if the pressure exceeds the maximum pressure threshold. The set may also be configured to compare the pressure with a pressure threshold and to control reduction in the maximum pressure threshold if the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold for a period of time.

Abstract: A fastening member having a reinforced region is disclosed. The fastening member may have a first layer formed of a nonwoven and a second layer at its reinforced region formed of either a polymeric film or another nonwoven, bonded to the first layer by a plurality of bond sites arranged in a pattern. The polymer(s) forming the fibers of the first layer and the polymer(s) forming the film or fibers of the second layer may be of like chemistry to enhance thermal bonding between the layers at the bond sites. The fastening member may be imparted with enhanced appearance and tear resistance attributes and may be suitable for use as a fastening member of a wearable article such as a disposable diaper.

Abstract: A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler has an activation valve at a valve end of the metered dose inhaler. The dose counter includes a housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The first end receives a metered dose inhaler valve end, and the second end defines a cavity. An actuation detection assembly in the cavity includes an actuation detection element on the second end of the housing, and an activator element in the cavity of the housing. The activator element is configured to move between a first position in the cavity in which the activator element is spaced apart from the actuation detection element on the housing by a gap and a second position in which the activator element cooperates with the actuation detection element so that the actuation detection element generates an actuation signal.

Abstract: An air flow control system for a respirator (10) is described which includes a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user (18) wearing the respirator (10), an air delivery conduit (27) within the shell of the respirator, and a valve member (557) moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the air flow through the air delivery conduit. The air flow control system also includes an outer device (46) outside of the shell of the respirator that is rotatable by a user (18) of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.

Abstract: A fluff pulp is provided, which comprises softwood fibers; and 3 to 35% by weight of hardwood fibers. A fluff is also provided, which comprises the fiberized or shredded fluff pulp. A core is also provided, which comprises the fluff and at least an SAP. Processes for making and using the fluff pulp, fluff, and core are provided, and products made thereby.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent assembly including longitudinally opposite ends, transversely opposite sides, a front waist region, a back waist region. The absorbent article also includes a pair of ears extending transversely outward from the opposite sides of the absorbent assembly in the back waist region, each of the ears comprising a loop fastening component. The absorbent article also includes a nonwoven shield coupled to the garment-facing surface of the outer cover and a hook material patch, wherein the hook material patch is disposed between the outer cover and the shield such that at least a portion of the plurality of hooks is accessible through an aperture, and such that at least a portion of the base layer edges is covered by the shield.