Abstract: An improved breast pump assembly, including a manually operable breast pump that can be used in a manual mode by hand-driving the breast pump, provides a motor drive unit which is adapted to receive and hold the manually operable piston pump of the breast pump, with a pump drive for reciprocating the piston rod of the piston pump in substantially the same stroke as would occur in optimum manual driving of the breast pump.

Abstract: A hemorrhoid-treatment rod that is shaped like a cone in order to dilate the anus. The outside of the cone may have elevations and depressions. It also has lateral outlets, each of which extends from an interior supply channel to the outside, preferably into one of the depressions. Ointment is forced into the depression and can be massaged into the area to be treating by rotating the rod without being wiped off prematurely.

Abstract: A male urinary incontinence device includes an external male catheter joined to an applicator therefor. The male catheter includes a draining portion and a rolled-up body portion which may be unrolled to form a substantially cylindrical body portion of elastic material. The applicator may include a substantially cylindrical tubular member comprising a material having greater rigidity than the catheter. The tubular member may have an opening for receiving at least the drainage portion of the catheter and preferably part of the body portion. The applicator may be include a means such as a groove along the circumference of its external surface for retaining a rolled-up portion of the catheter. A closed-end gripping member, capable of accommodating the drainage portion of the catheter is preferred, as is a covering member along the opening of the applicator.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for surgical aspirators comprises a motor and vacuum pump on a supporting base with an evacuated chamber surrounding them to reduce noise produced by the apparatus. The apparatus preferably comprises first and second hollow housings of one or more wall members defining an enclosure surrounding the motor and pump, the wall members of said housings spaced apart to define a vacuum chamber around the motor and vacuum pump. The enclosure has an opening to surrounding atmosphere through the supporting base or through a sealed opening through the housings. The pump outlet communicates with surrounding atmosphere. A passageway connects the vacuum chamber both to the vacuum pump inlet and the exterior of the apparatus.

Abstract: A soft flexible memory retaining ladies catheter assembly having an elongated thin-walled shell enclosing a cavity and a centralized entrance opening in a cover panel, a full flow recessed outlet, an open mesh full flow resilient insert mounted spaced apart below the cover panel extending beyond the entrance opening in supporting contact with the walls of the shell, designed to contain initial spray and splashing with immediate complete flushing to a self-contained leg bag, and a neat panty support for proper placement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for administering known quantities of medicaments by iontophoresis, while avoiding burns caused by extremes in the pH of the medicament medium during passage of an electric current, are disclosed. It is known that as iontophoresis progresses in conventional iontophoresis systems, the electrolysis of water occurs to produce hydrogen or hydroxyl ions at the interface of the electrode and medicament medium. Since these ions are highly mobile, they are transported directly into the skin of a patient in preference to the larger medicament ions. Thus, extreme changes in pH are experienced which result in burns due to the acidification or alkalinization of the medicament medium and passage of electric current through the skin. In addition, the efficiency of iontophoresis decreases over time. The present invention avoids extremes in pH by removing the hydrogen or hydroxyl ions which are created during iontophoresis and creates conditions for constant delivery over prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump suitable for use in an implantable medication dosage device has a piston movable in a chamber connected to a medication reservoir, the chamber having an output closable by a check valve. The check valve includes a movable element which is acted upon by a biasing system to urge the moveable element in a direction to close the check valve. The moveable element has a sealing surface against which an end face of the piston presses with tight adjacency as the piston moves to an extreme position during its output stroke.

Abstract: Tumors in the body of a patient are studied in situ by a monitor, such as computer assisted tomography, X-ray or the like, while optimal flow paths through the tumor area are established. A catheter with a suction lumen and an infusion lumen, with seals associated with each, is placed in the patient's vein near the tumor. Flow is then sealed in the vein with the infusion seal. A carrier medium dye is injected into the tumor at selected flow rates and differential pressures. Flow of the dye through the tumor is observed on the monitor to determine optimal retrograde perfusion paths through the tumor for the selected flow rates and differential pressures. Once the optimal perfusion paths are noted, a preferential attack area in the tumor is located using a different, less dense carrier dye and increased fluid back pressure in the infusion system.

Abstract: An inexpensive, disposable aspirator is provided with a cover of unitary construction threadable onto a container for retaining body fluids removed from a patient. Instead of sterilizing the aspirator after the removal of body fluids, the aspirator is simply thrown away, thus minimizing contact with body fluids contaminated with infectious diseases such as AIDS. The aspirator is provided with a valve for controlling the flow of gas through the aspirator.

Abstract: A condom-holder device including an unextended condom with a gathered annular wall portion, a condom mount for holding the unextended condom, and a device to secure the condom mount to the human body such that the condom may be reached and applied to the male organ with one hand without substantial interruption of activity.

Abstract: A modular, power augmented medical infusion apparatus to provide rapid transfusion of relatively large quantities of blood, blood components, colloid, and fluids to patients. All components of the infuser that contact blood are sterlie, disposable, and easily assembled. Disassembled or partially assembled the components are also easily transportable. The major components comprise a pair of filtered cardiotomy reservoirs, an air embolus sensor, a modular double roller pump, a heat exchanger, a bubble trap-filter and disposable fluid conduits. The bubble trap-filter is located in the distal most location of the recirculating loop just upstream of the Y-connector to the patient and the air sensor just downstream of the cardiotomy reservoir in the proximal location of the recirculating loop.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a colonic lavage to a patient comprises a speculum for insertion into the colon of the patient with the speculum being generally tubular and having a tapered end within the colon with opposing openings formed therein and discharge and inlet openings outside the anal canal. The inlet opening is connected to a lavage liquid holding chamber through an inlet conduit and the discharge conduit is connected to a collection chamber through a discharge conduit. The discharge conduit has a resilient collapsible portion that passes through a pinch valve that can be actuated to close the discharge conduit. In operation, lavage liquid is pumped from the holding chamber while the pinch valve is closed causing the colon to fill with liquid. When the colon is full, pumping is discontinued and the pinch valve opened allowing liquid and loosened fecal matter within the colon to be purged through the discharge conduit to the collection chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collecting bag for making quick medical analyses allowing the making of a diagnosis or monitoring the evolution of the state of health of a patient comprising a pocket characterized in that it is provided with an additional orifice (14) allowing the insertion of a product or instrument or the sampling of the contents of the bag (10). The present invention finds its main application in the field of medical analysis.

Abstract: A low profile ostomy device includes an ostomy bag with an opening, a first coupling member attached to the ostomy bag at the opening, and a second coupling member for attachment to a user's body. The first and second coupling members are engaged by the joining of an engaging element on each of the members, the engagement providing a tight mechanical seal between the members within the ostomy bag.

Abstract: A pubic shield is provided having an elastic tubular sheet attached to a substantially frusto-conical structure at the relatively smaller diameter of the frusto-conical structure. The frusto-conical structure forms a shield member having substantially two stable positions, a storage position and a use position. The shield member is in the use position when the tubular sheet extends away from the frusto-conical member. Use of the pubic shield, alone or with a bioadhesive, provides an enhanced prophylactic effect over that of a typical condom.

Abstract: The primary objective of the invention is to facilitate the application of a condom without entraining air into it, by making use of the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the accompanying drawing as a preferred embodiment of the present invention and not as limitative thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the pocket at the tip of the condom from which air is forced out as by twisting is held in a slit cut in the center of a rectangular strip applied on the condom from one side of its base along the length to the tip and then back along to the other side of the base, and which is provided with pull tabs extended laterally from the center of said strip where the slit is out.Both ends of the strip are rolled in together with the base hem ring of the condom to form a tucked-up disk. To apply the condom to the penis, it is only required to pull the pull tabs backward along the penis to unroll the condom sheath over it while keeping the center of said tucked-up disk in close contact with the glans.

Abstract: A device for accurately monitoring the flow and flow rate of liquids that are released slowly so as to form drops. The drops fall from the tip of a drop funnel 13 onto a surface of liquid at the top of a reaction cell 16. Consequently, the height through which each drop falls is constant. The liquid volume of each drop is measured and the flow and flow rate are calculated by transducer 19 and flow meter processing electronics 22.

Abstract: A condom having a coating of thick material comprising a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of dextran sulfate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of dextran sulfate, hyaluronic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable salts of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: An enteral feeding bag apparatus comprising an open-mouth flexible bag which is maintained in open condition by means of an opening maintaining plate member, is sealable by means of a liquid tight zipper lock closure means and is suspendable by a reinforced hanger portion for filling and/or administration of an enteric feeding composition.

Abstract: A compensating valve and a drainage system for draining a body fluid from one body region to another body region. The system enables routine drainage at predetermined differential pressures, provides for pumping action, for flushing action to clear the system of obstructive material, and for resisting over-drainage which can occur when the patient makes an abrupt and relatively large change in his position. A compensating valve purpose has a valving action which is proportional to various parameters so as to enable continuous and proportional control for drainage rather than an on/off control.