Abstract: An ostomy appliance in which the coupling ring assembly that detachably joins the faceplate and pouch of the appliance takes the form of a pair of flexible plastic rings, each ring being generally C-shaped in radial cross-section and defining an axially-facing annular channel. One of the rings is nested within the channel of the other ring when the rings are coupled together, with the inner and outer rings having opposing surfaces that sealingly engage each other and together define at least one circumferentially-extending fluid-isolating reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-frequency intra-arterial cardiac support system having a balloon pump which may be positioned in a major artery downstream of a natural heart. The balloon pump comprises a pumping balloon of small displacement mounted upon and cyclically inflatable and deflatable by fluid flow through catheter having a lumen leading to the outside of the body. The balloon pump further comprises a valve mounted downstream of the pumping balloon. The system further comprises a control and drive mechanism for providing cyclical fluid flow to the lumen of the catheter for inflation and deflation of the pumping balloon. The cyclical flow and the cyclical inflation and deflation occur at a frequency which is at least three times the normal beating frequency of the natural heart. The small displacement of the pumping balloon is much smaller than the normal stroke volume of the natural heart.

Abstract: A disconnectible section ostomy appliance comprises(a) a receptacle for body waste discharge,(b) a first support strip connected to said receptacle,(c) a second support strip carrying an adhesive adapted to be pressed onto an area proximate an ostomy orifice in the body for passing said body discharge,(d) and a releasable attachment interconnecting said first and second strips, so that the receptacle is positioned to receive waste discharge from said ostomy orifice, the attachment adapted to be manually manipulated to free the connection between said strips, whereby the first strip and receptacle are liftable away from the skin without restriction imposed by said adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, handheld eyewash dispenser for discharging an eyewash liquid. The eyewash dispenser includes a housing and an expandable rubber bladder mounted in the housing. The housing and the rubber bladder conjointly define a chamber for accommodating the eyewash liquid therein. A propellant cartridge containing a propellant under pressure is mounted in the rubber bladder. A pressure valve responsive to a predetermined pressure of the eyewash liquid is mounted in the housing. A release mechanism is provided for acting on the propellant cartridge for discharging the propellant therefrom to inflate and expand the bladder thereby imparting pressure to the eyewash liquid causing the latter to be expressed through a nozzle. The housing is configured to permit the user to comfortably grasp the dispenser in one hand.

Abstract: A new and improved receptacle for collecting fecal matter from incontinent patients and in particular bedridden incontinent patients is disclosed. The fecal incontinence receptacle comprises generally a gasket for sealingly engaging an area substantially adjacent to a stoma or anus of a wearer to form a liquid-tight seal therebetween, a conduit joined to the gasket for providing a passageway for discharge received from the stoma or anus of the wearer to pass therethrough, and a disposable receptacle detachably connected to the conduit for collecting and disposing of fecal matter received from the conduit. The gasket comprises generally a flexible plastic material having an adhesive coating on one surface with a removeable protective sheet covering the adhesive coating. The receptacle comprises generally an opening at one end for detachably connecting the receptacle to the bottom opening of the conduit.

Abstract: A method is set forth for treatment of hypoxic tumors by interstitial injection of oxygen bearing fluorocarbon emulsions directly into the hypoxic zone of the tumor followed by radiation treatment.

Abstract: An aspirator includes a closed container having a suction tube connected to a closed bellows within the container for creating a vacuum, and a patient tube for insertion into the body cavity of a patient for sucking removal of mucus and other excess bodily fluids by the vacuum. An upstanding partition inside the container creates a fluid collection chamber separate from the vacuum chamber, but in gaseous communication therewith. A valve system insures only vacuum pressure in the patient tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods and apparatus for the collection of blood, which are particularly useful for autotransfusion purposes. The apparatus includes a conventional blood transfer bag which is in turn placed in fluid communication with an air-blood separator to form a collection system. This system is particularly adaptable for use in the surgical setting in that it can operate at high vacuum while minimizing hemolysis. This is accomplished by early separation of air from the blood as the blood is collected.The air-blood separator and the interior of the blood bag are placed in communication with a vacuum source. As a result, there is a pressure equalizing feature inherent within the device. This allows the blood to continue to flow through the device into the blood bag without extending or opening the blood bag. As a result, there is minimal air-blood interface as the blood enters the blood bag.

Abstract: The ostomy appliance has two interengaging coupling elements. One of the elements is an annular plate which includes an engaging member formed by two ribs which diverge from each other to define a V-formation. One of the ribs has a stepped formation on its distal region. The other coupling element has an annular channel having cooperating formation adapted to engage the stepped formation, thereby connecting the coupling elements.

Abstract: A flexible chest drainage bag or the like has an inlet with a flutter valve, and a venting outlet formed by a rigid or semi-rigid tube. The tube projects downwardly into the bag alongside the flutter valve to its lower end so as to resist folding of the bag in the region of the valve. The tube has an open lower end and several apertures along its opposite sides between the walls of the bag, so that the apertures are not obstructed by the material of the bag. One aperture is located close to the top of the bag to allow fluid to be drained from the bag when the bag is inverted. The upper end of the tube is external of the bag and is provided with a plastic cage to prevent occlusion of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods and apparatus for the collection of blood, which are particularly useful for autotransfusion purposes. The apparatus includes an upper reservoir wherein the collected blood enters the device. A lower container is placed in fluid communication with the upper reservoir. Disposed within the interior of the container is a conventional blood bag which is in turn placed in fluid communication with the upper reservoir. The upper reservoir has two external connections. The first connection is for receiving blood from the patient. The second external connection places the upper reservoir in communication with a source of vacuum. In one embodiment of the present invention a filtering structure is disposed within the upper reservoir and is connected directly to the inlet connection from the patient.

Abstract: A wc-disposable ostomy bag has an outer water soluble layer of polyvinyl alcohol and an inner relatively insoluble layer of polyvinylidene chloride. A flange of a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive ring has one side adhered to the outer layer only, around an opening into the bag so that the edge of the outer layer around the opening is left exposed to material passing through the opening. The other side of the flange in use is secured to the patient's skin around the stoma either directly or via a peristomal wafer.

Abstract: A system for withdrawing a predetermined volume of fluid from a patient comprises a filter assembly which is connected in line for fluid communication between an artery and a vein of the patient. A pump having a fluid chamber is connected in fluid communication with a filtrate port of the filter. Operation of the pump causes the withdrawal of fluid from the filter and into the pump chamber at a preselected volumetric rate. Periodically, the pump is cycled to expel the withdrawn fluid from the pump chamber. The system further comprises a fluid collection device for collecting the expelled fluids and may include means for replenishing fluids to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is a method using ultrasound to enhance permeation of molecules through the skin and into the blood stream, at a controlled rate. Depending on the drug being infused through the skin, the rate of permeation is increased as well as the efficiency of transfer. Drugs which may not be effective under other conditions, for example, due to degradation within the gastrointestinal tract, can be effectively conveyed transdermally into the circulatory system by means of ultrasound.

Abstract: An elongated sleeve member having an upper open end and a lower open end, and with an annular flange extending radially outwardly from adjacent the open lower end is affixed to an elongated stem member in a substantially vertical orientation for immersion in a liquid substance held in a vial. A sleeve-like surface extending between the open ends of the elongated sleeve member, and a surface defining the lower end of the sleeve and an outwardly extending annular flange provide means to remove a consistent quantity of a liquid substance, such as a liquid allergenic agent, from a storage vessel or vial, and to transfer the liquid to a receiving scarifier structure, such as a cluster of multiple scarifier points. The outer periphery and upper surface of the flange provide a means for carrying excess liquid, and the flange provides for wiping the excess liquid from the sleeve member and flange prior to dispensing a desired quantity of liquid allergenic agent onto a cluster of scarifier points.

Abstract: A self-contained portable unit for heating physiological fluids is disclosed. A heat exchanger is disposable to ensure sterility, and the heat exchanger is attached to a heating system by inserting it between opposed fluid connection elements. One of the fluid connection elements is movable to permit the heat exchanger to be installed and removed easily by inserting one end of the heat exchanger in one of the fluid connection units and moving the other fluid connection unit into contact with an opposite end of the heat exchanger. The heating fluid is heated by an electric heating element and is circulated by an electric pump.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary system is disclosed which is intended for oxygenation of a patient's blood during heart surgery in which the patient's own lungs are used for such oxygenation. The cardiopulmonary system includes use of a blood reservoir which includes at least two chambers, one for venous blood collected from the patient's heart or a major vein and one for arterial blood, and include filters for filtering both the venous and arterial blood as they enter the respective chambers.

Abstract: A urine-collecting container-valve assembly particularly intended for use when taking urine from the urinal bladder of a patient, particularly a bed-ridden patient. The assembly comprises a container, made of thin plastic material, having an inlet port which accommodates a non-return valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is housed in a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet. Arranged in the interior of the valve housing is a perforated plate-like element which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the valve housing in liquid-tight abutment with the walls of the housing. The housing also has arranged therein a pressure-activated buoyant body which is freely movable between the mutually opposing surfaces of the plate-like element and the bottom wall of the valve housing. The invention is characterized by means which co-act with the buoyant body in a manner to guide the body axially during its movement from one terminal position to another terminal position.

Abstract: An infusion pump pressure monitor comprises a drive (26, 27, 30, 31) for an infusion pump, a pressure sensor (38) to monitor the delivery pressure downstream of the pump, and a programmed computer (34, 35). The computer (34, 35) is programmed to monitor the maximum delivery pressure that occurs during an initial operating period, and then, subsequently to monitor the delivery pressure downstream of the pump for the remainder of the delivery period of the infusion pump. The programmed computer (34, 35) is programmed to disable the drive (26, 27, 30, 31) for the infusion pump if the monitored delivery pressure differs by more than a predetermined amount from the maximum pressure monitored during the initial operating period. The infusion liquid is carried by a disposable infusion set having a pressure responsive chamber (1) located in a key-hole shaped slot (44) in the pressure monitor.

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 has been found 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 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. The present invention also avoids the production of other competing ions by employing a reactive electrode.