Abstract: A new eye and wound washing device for irrigating eyes and wounds with fluids such as water or saline solutions. The inventive device includes a hollow tube member with at least one elongate arm tube portion extending from the proximal end of an elongate stem tube portion. The distal end of the stem tube portion has an opening into the hollow interior of the tube member and is connectable to a fluid reservoir to permit fluid flow from the fluid reservoir through the distal end opening into the hollow interior of the tube member. A first irrigator member is in fluid communication with the first arm tube portion and includes a plurality of irrigation apertures for permitting fluid flow therethrough from the interior of the tube member. The mounting portion of a first guide member is mounted to the first arm tube portion. The first guide member also includes an arcuate finger guide portion extending from the mounting portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple, cost-effective stretchable, superabsorbent material-containing absorbent structure that provides the superabsorbent material particles therein with improved liquid holding capacity. The stretchable absorbent structure can be used in absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. The stretchable absorbent structure comprises a stretchable absorbent liquid impervious barrier layer and a nonwoven component that is bonded to the barrier layer when the barrier layer is stretched at least partially toward its stretched condition, and superabsorbent, hydrogel-forming material deposited on or distributed within the nonwoven component.

Abstract: An access device having a single sheath is inserted into a body passage puncture, with an expandable member of the access device held to a minimum diameter. The expandable member is held to the minimum diameter using structure that does not increase the diameter of the access device, rather than a large-diameter external sheath. The structure for holding the expandable member to a minimum diameter can subsequently be removed from the lumen of the access device., once the expandable member has been expanded.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and mixing together of diluents and medicaments. The container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored. The container is constructed of thermoplastic materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together for delivery through standard IV arrangement to a patient. The seals are constructed to provide a non-linear resistance characteristic to hydraulic pressure, which causes the seal to peel open completely along its length. The container also includes a locking tab and retaining slot to secure the bag in a folded-over condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container for holding medical solutions, wherein the container comprises a fluid-tight chamber, the chamber having opposing first and second edges and opposing first and second surfaces, and a flap extending from an edge of the chamber and being hingedly connected to the chamber.

Abstract: A blood pump having a motor housing and a pump housing which are rigidly connected to one another in an axially spaced relationship. Both housings are of substantially the same diameter and are sized to enable the pump to be introduced via catheter through the body's blood-vessel system. The impeller is mounted in the pump housing on a longitudinally and radially acting bearing designed as a point-support bearing. To avoid oscillation of the impeller, it is fitted with an alignment device which may have a hydrodynamic or mechanical action. Rotation of the motor is transferred to the impeller via a magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A generally thin, flexible sanitary napkin capable of handling medium to high menstrual flows which has a central absorbent hump is disclosed. The hump comprises a longitudinally-oriented elongated medial absorbent hump that projects from the body surface of the sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin preferably has surrounding absorbent regions outboard of the hump with a caliper of less than or equal to about 5 millimeters. The sanitary napkin preferably has a caliper at the point of maximum amplitude of the hump that is greater than twice the caliper of the surrounding regions. The hump preferably has a caliper of at least about 0.15 inch (about 3.5-4 millimeters). The longitudinal central region of the sanitary napkin preferably has a flexure-resistance that is greater than that of the surrounding regions.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device having first and second elongate tubular members. Each member comprises a manometer at a distal end and a lumen communicating with a port at the distal end. An expandable occlusive member is optionally mounted on either or both tubular members proximal to the distal port. A proximal end of each tubular member is adapted for attachment to an oxygenator and/or a pump for aspirating blood from an artery or a symptomatic carotid artery through the first tubular member and perfusing the blood into the contralateral carotid artery through the second tubular member, thereby providing a means of augmenting the collateral vasculature and maintaining perfusion distal to the offending lesion. The flow rate of blood can be controlled by inflating or deflating the balloon occluder. The device may employ a neuroprotective agent, hypothermic perfusion, and an atherectomy device or an extracorporeal pumping mechanism to remove a vascular occlusion and reestablish cerebral perfusion.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing body fluids is provided having an absorbent core positioned between a fluid-permeable cover and a fluid-impermeable baffle. The absorbent core includes a central, longitudinal flexure axis which substantially extends the length of the absorbent core. The central, longitudinal axis generally divides the absorbent core into first and second longitudinal members having an outer boundary and wherein the first member has a second flexure axis and the second member has a third flexure axis. Flanking the outer boundary of the first and second members are a third and a fourth longitudinal absorbent member, respectively. The third and fourth absorbent members are positioned so that, when said absorbent article is subjected to lateral compressive forces, the first and second members preferentially bend convexly upward, and said absorbent core generally acquires a "W" shaped configuration.

Abstract: An automatic sampling device is formed of a syringe with a hollow needle, a plug formed of a soft elastic member and slidably engaging the needle to cover at least an opening of the needle, and a guide mechanism situated between the plug and the syringe. The guide mechanism holds the plug to allow the plug to hold the tip of the needle along a center axis of the syringe and to allow the needle to move through the plug from the tip to a root of the needle. When the tip of the needle is located in the plug, the opening of the needle is closed to prevent passage of a fluid therethrough. Thus, a sample gas does not leak through the opening of the needle due to diffusion. Also, since the mechanism for holding the rubber plug provided at the needle tip also acts as the guide for holding the needle tip on the center axis of the syringe, the needle does not generally bend even if a force in an oblique direction is applied to the needle tip.

Abstract: A process and apparatus (invention) permitting the distribution of micro or submicro liter or gram (exceptionally small) quantities of liquids and powders, (hereafter materials) in patterns and quantities that are especially well-suited for ophthalmologic patient self-application of drugs to his own eye(s) with substantially no overdose. The invention is thus also highly beneficial in those many topical drug applications where overdoses should be avoided. This is particularly applicable for the eye, where overdoses can have many deleterious medical consequences. Use of the invention permits exceptionally small doses of ophthalmologic drugs. Moreover, it also permits the repeatability of the quantity size of the materials chosen for delivery. In the case of drugs, particularly opthomologic drugs, this means that the invention permits the repeated multiple distribution of the same chosen drug/carrier quantity resulting in a uniform repeatable dosage.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper, an incontinence protector or the like, comprises an elongated absorbent body, enclosed between a proximal liquid permeable cover layer and a distal liquid impermeable cover layer. In order to prevent feces from being transferred to a front, urine absorbing area of the article, there is provided a barrier means which comprises at least two, adjacent to each other, strip-shaped elastic elements extending transversely over the inside of the article. The elements in a flat state of the article are pretensioned in their longitudinal direction and at least in the use state of the article, extend backwards and out from the article, relative to a longitudinal edge of the strip-shaped elements facing towards the article.

Abstract: A method for measurement of mass and energy transfer parameters (clearance and dialysance) in hemodialysis. A sensor is provided in the dialysate flow path downstream of the dialyzer and means are provided to add concentrate upstream of the dialyzer. A pre-determined amount of a substance whose dialysance is to be measured is added upstream of the dialyzer. The amount of substance not dialyzed in the dialyzer is measured downstream of the dialyzer by said sensor by integrating the concentration over time. Dialysance is calculated from the amount added upstream, the amount measured downstream and the dialysate flow. In case the substance is part of the dialysate the base concentration is subtracted during integration. The addition of the concentrate upstream of the dialyzer can be done manually or, alternatively by the mixing pump of the dialysis machine. Instead of an increase of the concentration with a concentrate dilution with water can be used as well.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, containing leg cuffs coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotions disclosed in the present invention minimize the abrasion between the cuffs and skin in the area where the cuffs contact the wearer's skin, resulting in less skin irritation. The lotion compositions also reduce the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up. The lotion composition comprises a plastic or fluid emollient such as mineral oil or petrolatum, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or paraffin wax to immobilize the emollient on the surface of the diaper leg cuffs, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve the processability and/or stability of the lotion compositions. Because the emollient is substantially immobilized on the surface of the leg cuff, less lotion is required to impart the desired therapeutic or protective lotion coating benefits.

Abstract: A urine collection device, a band for retaining the device and a method for attaching a medical device to the wearer's body. A band has two tabs. Each tab has one end attached to the band and a free end for extending through a hole in the device and attaching to the band. The band with the device mounted to it can be retained on the wearer's body.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an extensible outer cover. The absorbent pad comprises an absorbent core surrounded by a first folded layer and optionally a second folded barrier layer. Folds of the first and second folded layers unfold and thereby open when an extensible bodyside liner and/or outer cover of the absorbent article are extended. The folds, when opened, extend the respective folded layers in a respective cross-direction or longitudinal direction. Extension of the folds of the first and second folded layers prevents tearing of the absorbent pad and damage to, or release of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad during extension of the absorbent article. The folds can comprise T-folds, C-folds, pleated arrangements, corrugations, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article fastener device and to a method for its manufacture. The invention relates to locking elements which are formed with the aid of subpressure, and which are applied fully or partially in-line with the manufacture of an absorbent article. The inventive absorbent article fastener device is designed so that the fastener can only be fastened in one specific orientation, with the fit of the article on the wearer being achieved with the aid of elastic devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are flexible plastic tapes each having at least one rounded edge, a method for forming the rounded edge by the application of heat, and an absorbent article provided with such tapes. The edges are rounded to reduce their sharpness in order to reduce the risk of irritation or injury to a wearer of the absorbent article and/or to any person coming into contact with the tapes. The tapes have a thickness not greater than that at which the edge would be sharp if it were not rounded. The tapes are relatively stiff and formed from a plastic material such as polypropylene or polypropylene copolymer.

Abstract: In a system which utilizes an endoscope and irrigation fluid during surgery within a body orifice, and in which irrigation fluid is withdrawn via a principal path into a suction canister, there is a substantially constant suction and withdrawal rate from the operative site to limit absorption of irrigation fluid within the patient, because a bifurcated flow path that leads to the suction canister not only from the endoscope but also from a drain bag receiving overflow from the body orifice via a tailored drape includes a substantially greater flow impedance in the drain bag path. The common suction line joined to the endoscope line and the drain bag line draws a flow through the endoscope that predominates, to maintain substantially constant withdrawal of irrigation fluid via that path, and substantially eliminates the possibility of loss of suction.

Abstract: An extensible tab fastener for a disposable diaper comprises a laminate of an extensible facestock and an ordinarily nonextensible mechanical fastener. The nonextensible mechanical fastener is rendered extensible by providing in at least the nonextensible portions thereof a plurality of separation interfaces or parting planes extending through the thickness of the nonextensible portion or portions at spaced locations in the direction of desired extensibility.