Abstract: Methods and devices for transmitting micromechanical forces locally to induce surface convolutions into tissues on the millimeter to micron scale for promoting wound healing are presented. These convolutions induce a moderate stretching of individual cells, stimulating cellular proliferation and elaboration of natural growth factors without increasing the size of the wound. Micromechanical forces can be applied directly to tissue, through biomolecules or the extracellular matrix. This invention can be used with biosensors, biodegradable materials and drug delivery systems. This invention will also be useful in pre-conditioned tissue-engineering constructs in vitro. Application of this invention will shorten healing times for wounds and reduce the need for invasive surgery.

Abstract: An absorbent garment has an absorbent assembly disposed within a garment shell configured for encircling a wearer's waist. The absorbent assembly has an inner surface adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's body, a front waist region in opposed relationship with a front waist region of the garment shell, a back waist region in opposed relationship with a back waist region of the garment shell, and a crotch region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the front and back waist regions of the absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly is releasably attached generally at a front waist end thereof to the garment shell generally at the front waist end of the garment shell, and is also releasably attached generally at a back waist end thereof to the garment shell generally at the back waist end of the garment shell.

Abstract: Wet wipes comprising a pathogen selective antimicrobial agent and an optional broad spectrum antimicrobial agent are disclosed. The pathogen selective antimicrobial agent is a Yucca species extract. The optional broad spectrum antimicrobial agent may be a synthetic broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, or a natural broad spectrum antimicrobial agent such as a botanical extract.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tubular body, a ring member, and at least one elongate member. The tubular body has a distal region. The ring member encircles at least a portion of the circumference of the tubular member. The one elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the elongate member being coupled to the distal region of the tubular body and the proximal end being attached to the ring member. Forming a loop in a distal end of a catheter includes pulling a ring that encircles at least a portion of the circumference of the catheter. The ring is attached to a proximal end of an elongate member, a distal end of the elongate member is attached to a distal end of the catheter, and the elongate member is positioned along the outside surface of the catheter.

Abstract: The collecting bag comprises a bag member (1) and a discharge portion (6) including a closure device (7). An accommodating means (8) is provided within the outer contours of the bag member for accommodating at least a part of the discharge portion in the position of use of the bag. The accommodating means includes a slit (20) in the comfort layer (52) overlying the front film blank (2), such that a part of the discharge portion may be lodged in the space between joint sections that connect inner tubular film elements with the film blanks of the bag member.

Abstract: A method for producing an absorbent structure and the resulting absorbent structure. The method includes the steps of introducing a thermoplastic polymer into an extrusion apparatus, melting the thermoplastic polymer material having a moisture content of at least 0.5 percent by weight into the extrusion apparatus, and extruding the mixture such that the fluid in the superabsorbent polymer material evaporates as pressure is released and induces foaming of the thermoplastic polymer that bonds the particulate polymer material together to create a matrix.

Abstract: A pull-on disposable diaper is composed of front and rear waist covering regions and a crotch covering region and has a body fluid absorbing component extending over the crotch covering region and further extending into the front and rear waist covering regions. In the crotch covering region, the body fluid absorbing component is folded toward a center line A-A and covered with a liquid-pervious cover sheet. The cover sheet extends in the transverse direction of the absorbing component over an inner surface of the absorbing component and further extends to the side of an outer surface of the absorbing component. On the outer surface of the absorbing component, transversely opposite lateral edges of the cover sheet are folded back outward in the transverse direction. The folded-back lateral edges are joined to the inner surface of the sheet defining the crotch covering region.

Abstract: A pre-fill vaginal applicator comprising a tubular barrel having an open end and a dispensing end provided with at least one dispensing opening formed therein. A selectively removable closure, such as a snap cap or threaded cap, closes the dispensing end of the barrel. A resilient piston is selectively slidably positioned in the barrel and has an outer surface which is in sealing contact with the inner surface of the barrel to define a medication reservoir between the piston and dispensing end of the barrel. An elongated plunger is adapted to be inserted into the open end of the barrel so that the inner end thereof may be detachably connected to the piston. After the plunger has been connected to the piston, inward movement of the plunger causes the piston to force medication from the medication reservoir outwardly through the dispensing opening. Outward movement of the plunger with respect to the piston causes the plunger to disconnect from the piston.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser closure includes a tube having a distal end. The tube has a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophobic portion has an exit orifice at the distal end.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet, a liquid-absorbent core interposed between these top- and backsheets, and an indicator by which it is perceptible from outside the backsheet whether urination has occurred or not. The indicator has a liquid-pervious intermediate sheet hydrophilically modified by coating of a hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric with surfactant and a water-soluble coloring agent depicting a given figure which is perceptible from outside the backsheet. The intermediate sheet is interposed between the backsheet and the core and the coloring agent is applied on the surface of the intermediate sheet opposed to the backsheet.

Abstract: A dental absorbent pad (10) is disclosed having a moisture permeable, outer layer (11), a moisture absorbent layer (12), a stiffening plate (13), and a moisture impermeable backing (14). The moisture absorbent layer and stiffening plate are smaller in size than the overlying outer layer and backing so that a margin (17) is formed thereby which surrounds the moisture absorbent layer and stiffening plate. The margin is very flexible and therefor comfortable to a patient undergoing a dental procedure.

Abstract: An absorbent article body part includes a liquid permeable surface side sheet, a liquid impermeable back face side sheet, and an absorbent body, positioned between the sheets, and having flap parts, extending outward to the respective sides of the absorbent body, and is formed by layering an outer layer sheet onto the back face side of the main absorbent article body part. At the outer layer sheet, first and second leg part elastic bodies are positioned with sides at one end being set along leg parts from parts of a dorsal waist part at one side and the other side, intermediate parts crossing a crotch part obliquely, and the sides at the other end being set along the leg parts at parts of a ventral waist part at the other side and the one side. Third leg part elastic bodies are positioned along the longitudinal direction at the flap parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying viruses and bacteria in a closed loop system that irradiates the fluid multiple times through the same channel. The apparatus consists of a cuvette, an irradiation station, two ultraviolet light sources, a peristaltic pump, and a bottle which are all systematically situated with respect to a housing and a cover. A plurality of power control switches controls the operation of the apparatus. This includes an on/off power switch, an on/off pump control, and ultraviolet light control switches. Timers are provided to regulate the time period the cuvette is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation within the irradiation station from the two ultraviolet light sources. The cover is also provided to enable the cuvette to be used and exposed to ultraviolet radiation within an enclosed environment.

Abstract: To allow a DC voltage to be obtained as an output signal for higher versatility. A sensor unit 400 has three electrodes: a transmission electrode 401, a reception electrode 402 and a shielding electrode 403. The shielding electrode 403 shields the transmission electrode 401 and the reception electrode 402 from each other in terms of high-frequency and is constantly earthed. A high-frequency voltage is applied to the transmission electrode 401 from a high-frequency oscillation circuit 410. A high-frequency voltage depending upon the magnitude of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes 401 and 4023 is outputted from the reception electrode 402. The high-frequency voltage outputted from the reception electrode 402 is converted into a DC voltage by a detection circuit 420. The presence or absence or the amount of a substance is determined based on the magnitude of the DC voltage produced in the detection circuit 420.

Abstract: An air-powered tissue-aspiration instrument system, comprising an air-powered instrument having a hand-supportable housing supporting a curved dual cannula assembly having a curved hollow outer cannula and a flexible hollow inner cannula, provided with bipolar-type electro-cauterizing apparatus. A pair of RF-powered signals are supplied to the curved hollow outer cannula and flexible hollow inner cannula while the flexible hollow inner cannula is slidably supported within the curved hollow outer cannula and driven by an air-powered mechanism mounted within the hand-supportable housing so that the location of aspiration through outer and inner suction apertures is periodically displaced during tissue aspiration operations.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet and an absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is located between the topsheet and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is made of a three dimensional apertured film that defines a large void volume space between the acquisition distribution layer and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer provides high void volume for lateral spillage during repeated insult moments because the topsheet, which is in contact with the user, is held away from dispersing fluid that is unabsorbed by saturated core material. The void volume space provides a pathway for unabsorbed fluid to flow over the top plane of saturated core regions to unsaturated regions of the core material for absorption. The void volume space allows this migration of fluid to occur without the fluid coming into contact with the topsheet, thereby avoiding a feeling of wetness for a wearer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending backsheet strips attached to an exterior surface of an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each backsheet strip may include a water-impermeable layer and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly includes laterally opposing side flaps which may be formed by folding portions of the absorbent assembly laterally inward. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the backsheet strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer.

Abstract: An absorbent body for hygiene articles, particularly sanitary napkins or panty liners, includes a liquid absorbing and distributing layer facing the body and made of a first fibrous material with a first pore size, and a liquid storage layer facing away from the body and including at least 20 to 98 wt. % cellulose fibers, with a second pore size smaller than the first pore size. The first fibrous material is made of interlinked cellulose fibers, and the layers are interconnected, without adhesives by a multitude of embossing points provided in grid-like manner which results in the formation of a funnel-shaped pore gradient in the liquid absorbing and distributing layer around the embossing points. This pore gradient assists in the introduction of liquid into the underlying storage layer.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance with a front wall and a rear wall of flexible material forming a bag, the rear wall having an opening into the bag by which waste material can enter the bag. The bag has two or more vents through which gas may escape from the bag and a filter device covering each vent. Each filter device has gas inlet and outlet openings in communication with a respective filter body so that in use gas flows through the filter device from the inlet opening through the filter body to the outlet opening. The inlet openings communicate with the inner space of the bag and are located near the border of the bag, being spaced at an angle of at least 45 degrees along radii of a circle of reference having a perimeter concentric with the waste opening of the bag.

Abstract: An absorbent garment has an absorbent assembly disposed within a garment shell configured for encircling the wearer's waist. The garment shell comprises a front panel assembly having laterally opposite side margins, and a back panel assembly having laterally opposite side margins. The absorbent assembly is attached at a front waist region thereof to the garment shell generally at the side margins of the front panel assembly to together define front side margins of the absorbent garment. The absorbent assembly is further attached at a back waist region thereof to the garment shell generally at the side margins of the back panel assembly to together define back side margins of the absorbent garment. The front side margins and the back side margins of the absorbent garment are releasably attached to each other to removably secure the absorbent garment on the wearer's waist.