Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent cores for inclusion in absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, designed to provide improved fit and comfort for the wearer while adequately containing body exudates. The absorbent cores are designed to be relatively narrow in the crotch region of the article, even when the core absorbs significant amounts of fluid during use. To achieve this, the absorbent core is designed such that fluid is moved substantially from the crotch region to the front and/or rear regions of the article.The invention particularly relates to an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core wherein the absorbent core has a crotch width when dry and when wet of not more than about 7 cm, and wherein the crotch region of the absorbent core has a capacity of not more than about 40% of the absorbent core's total absorbent capacity.

Abstract: A vial comprises a tubular syringe barrel (1) closed at one end (2) and open at the other, a stopper in the open barrel end formed by a piston head (4) of a syringe, and valve means (10) in the barrel between the stopper and the closed barrel end. The valve means (1) is normally closed and actuatable to an open condition by movement of the stopper into the barrel, and is slidable with the piston head (4) to the closed barrel end (2).

Abstract: The IV protector of the present invention is a device designed to prevent spattering of blood from the tip of a peripheral IV catheter during removal and disposal of the catheter and IV tubing. The IV protector is a flexible plastic cylinder about three inches in length and about 1.5 cm in diameter. At one end it has a projection and a mating groove clasp fastener in order to seal the end of the cylinder by pinching the projection into the groove. At the other end the cylinder has internal threads adapted to lock the IV protector in a retracted position circumferentially about the IV tubing when the catheter is inserted in the venipuncture site, and adapted to lock the IV protector in an extended position circumferentially enclosing the catheter for disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting care providers from baby urination accidents. The apparatus includes a generally domed shaped, contiguous shell terminating in a base wherein the shell and base are sized such that the genitalia of a baby is accomodated and covered in the immediately surrounding region. The base is weighted to provide the apparatus with a center of gravity proximate to the baby when disposed over the genitalia thereof to provide the apparatus with stability when positioned as desired. An optional adhesive layer may be provided to the base to further the stability of the apparatus.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing bodily fluid, incorporating a buffer having a pH of from 7 to 10 acting as an efficient odor control material for preventing or combating malodorous compounds present in such articles in use.

Abstract: A disposable medical syringe apparatus with retractable needle is disclosed. The spent needle, or other similar medical sharps device, affixed to a detachable needle hub on the syringe barrel may be safely encapsulated and disposed by a simple, one handed operation, and, both the needle and the syringe apparatus are rendered useless for any subsequent operation. The invention is comprised of two parts, a syringe barrel fitted with a detachable needle hub and an evacuated plunger fitted with a combination catch ring/air release/vacuum seal mechanism that readily permits the introduction of the vacuum into the hollow chamber of the plunger. The syringe apparatus is used in the standard manner for an injection of medicinal liquid or for the collection of blood or other body fluids. When use is complete, continued longitudinal axial force is applied to the distal (thumb) end of the evacuated plunger.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads that are provided with mechanical fasteners are disclosed. Preferred embodiments have undergarment covering components (or "side wrapping elements") that automatically fold along the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side wrapping elements of such embodiments have at least one zone of extensibility and at a region therein that is stiffer than the zone of extensibility. The side wrapping elements are provided with mechanical fasteners in the form of hair-like projections that have improved tactile properties.

Abstract: A contamination resistant connector for medical tubing includes a first portion with a first fluid passage therethrough occluded by a covered normally closed first valve and a second portion with a second fluid passage therethrough. The second portion is conjugate to and releasably attachable to the first portion with the second fluid passage also being occluded by a covered normally closed second valve. The first valve and the second valve are both only uncovered and opened so that the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage are fluidly communicatively connected, and closed and covered by the respective selective conjugate engagement and disengagement of the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: An injection device has a two part barrel. The forward part (10) telescopes into the rear part (3) and within the barrel a capsule (1) with a needle (2) at its forward end is initially held by a trigger (11) formed integrally with the forward part (10) so that the needle (2) does not project. The trigger (11) is inoperable at this stage, being inaccessible because of the telescopic overlap. A spring (20) acts on a plunger at the rear of the capsule. When the overlap is increased, the trigger (11) becomes accessible through a slot (7), and when it is operated the capsule (1) is released for the spring (20) to shoot it forwards and eject the dose through the now projecting needle (2). The capsule (1) may have a two part dose and its mixing may then be effected by the spring (20), fully compressed after the overlap increase, urging the plunger forwards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetofluid-supported electromagnetic drive for a blood pump for supporting or partially to totally replacing the heart whereby the blood pump in its weight as well as its energy density nearly corresponds to the natural heart and is especially suitable for an implantation whereby a reduction of the total system in comparison with known systems is to be made possible and the efficiency is improved at the same time. This task is solved by the blood pump having a magnetofluid-supported electromagnetic drive consisting of one or several electromagnets and force-transforming facilities and with the space of at least one electromagnetic circuit being completely or partially filled with magnetofluid, whereby the poles show permanent-magnetic properties. Thereby, a magnetofluid with a saturation magnetization of 150 to 450 mT has been used with an initial permeability of 5 to 25.

Abstract: An improved ostomy face plate. The improved face plate includes a ring seal of silicons foam, a blotter ring disposed between the ring seal and the barrier seal, and an improved barrier seal compound with a low isobutylene content.

Abstract: An improved perfusion control assembly comprising a console and an oxygenator flanked by at least two flanking units, wherein a first flanking unit is a pump assembly and additional flanking units are at least one of additional pump assemblies, a display monitor, a parameter monitoring assembly, or a controller, is described. The improved assembly can have the advantages of a reduced extracorporeal blood volumes in cardiopulmonary and cardioplegia circuits, and improved ergonomics for the perfusionist. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated console of the assembly is divided into a central and at least two peripheral segments connected by hinged joints. The perfusionist may rotate segments to create a cockpit shaped assembly.

Abstract: A wc-disposable ostomy bag has walls made of three layers. The central layer is of an alkali-soluble/water-resistant material such as carboxylated acrylic polymer and is about 100.mu. thick. The inner layer, presented to the contents of the bag, is of a water-resistant, ordor-proof material such as polyvinylidene chloride and is between about 2 and 3.mu. thick. The outer layer is a non-woven material such as formed by cellulose fibres in a binder of aqueous polyacrylate, which is broken up when wetted by an alkaline liquid.

Abstract: A well-fitting disposable diaper having a front gathering to be applied to the crotch of a wearer. The front gathering is formed by elastic members disposed about a border between a crotch region and a front waist region of the diaper and includes one end portions of first and second thin parts which are disposed in the crotch region and the front waist region, respectively. Because the first thin parts are elongated between the second thin parts in the front gathering, the front gathering can readily shrink to press the crotch of a wearer or a protector against incontinence to be applied thereto.

Abstract: An improved medication infusion set is provided of the type having a soft cannula for subcutaneous delivery of a selected medication to a patient. The infusion set comprises a cannula housing having a soft cannula protruding therefrom and a self-sealing septum mounted at an upstream end of the cannula. The cannula housing is initially assembled with an insertion hub having an elongated insertion needle extending through the septum and cannula for transcutaneously placing the cannula followed by separation of the insertion hub from the cannula housing. An infusion hub is then assembled with the cannula housing and includes a short infusion needle for coupling the cannula with the selected medication supplied from a source via a length of infusion tubing.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-lubricating catheter assembly is provided. A receptacle formed of two opposed flexible walls includes a main chamber and a lubrication chamber separated by a passage. A lubricant is provided in the lubrication chamber. A catheter is advanced from the main chamber through the lubrication chamber and picks up lubricant as it is passes through the lubrication chamber. A catheter grasping mechanism, located proximate the exit from the lubrication chamber, permits advancement of the catheter out of the receptacle and resists movement of the catheter back into the receptacle. The receptacle also includes one or more finger holes therethrough to allow the user to retain the receptacle on one or more fingers, thereby allowing the hand to more readily position the receptacle during use while advancing the catheter.

Abstract: A continent ostomy port device has a face plate defining an aperture alignable with the opening of a stoma in the user's body and a closure adjacent to the aperture is adapted to permit covering and uncovering of the aperture in the face plate. A catheter extends from one side of the face plate proximally, and one end of the catheter is disposed within the ostomy site when the port device is in use. The catheter has continuous exterior and interior side walls, the latter defining a major lumen and is sized and shaped for non-surgical insertion through a stoma to a sufficient distance that the presence of the catheter within the stoma provides a barrier which reduces the incidence of prolapse, without the use of extraneous, externally applied materials or additional surgery.

Abstract: A distinctive fastening tab comprises a fastener substrate having a construction-bond portion, a user-bond portion, a fastening surface and a user surface. The user-bond portion includes a leading region and at least one trailing region thereof, and the leading region is separated from the trailing region by a substantially non-securing spacing section which can extend over a selected, lateral spacing distance, such as a distance of at least about 5 mm. A securing mechanism connects to the fastening surface of the substrate along the leading and trailing regions of the user-bond portion, thereby providing a securing mechanism leading region and a securing mechanism trailing region which are separated apart by the spacing distance.

Abstract: A pant diaper or a sanitary panty which includes a front part, a rear part, and an intermediate crotch part, which includes an absorbent body enclosed between an inner and an outer casing sheet. The front part is detachably joined to the rear part by means of a first fastening. A piece of flexible material extends over the front part and is joined thereto over a larger part of its surface by means of a first releasable fastening, which extends on both sides of a centrally located region of the piece of material, from the edges of the central region to the respective side edges of the front part. The piece of material is also joined to the rear part.

Abstract: A system for collecting, transporting and disposing of biofluids, such as those collected in a hospital or other health facility, in a manner to protect an operator and related support devices and systems from contact with potentially hazardous biofluids. The system provides a portable container adapted to be connected to the patient's suction tubes and also to the vacuum source, so that biofluid is collected in the container. The container is then moved to a base disposal location, and an outlet valve of the valve and connecting assembly of the container is connected to the base assembly, and the valve of the container moved to an open position. A sealed discharge passageway is formed, and the biofluid flows through this passageway. The valve of the container is closed, and the container removed and either disposed of, or washed, and sanitized so as to be ready for reuse. There is also provided a plug and manifold assembly to removably interfit with the container.