Abstract: An ostomy appliance having a vent covered by a filter. Gas inlet and outlet openings are provided that are in communication with a filter body and arranged so that in use gas flows through the filter body from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The gas inlet opening communicates with at least two separate and independent closed pathways that have respective inlet openings separated from one another. Each of the pathway outlet openings is covered by a microporous membrane showing improved resistance against blocking of the inlet opening of the filter.

Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface. The tampon is comprised of compressed fibrous material. The outer surface of the tampon has a plurality of first surfaces and a plurality of second surfaces. Each of the first surfaces has a distal end and a proximal end. Each of the second surfaces has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of the first surface contacts the proximal end of the second surface to form a proximal vertex. The distal end of the first surface contacts the distal end of the second surface to form a distal vertex.

Abstract: A nursing aid system which includes at least one breast cup and at least one nipple extender which may be integrally formed with the breast cup or which may comprise a separate piece. The breast cup has a concave breast receiving portion and a hollow generally cylindrical nipple receiving portion located on and projecting away from the breast receiving portion, the nipple receiving portion having a remote end which includes a milk delivery aperture. The nipple extender, if separately formed, may be slidably received in the nipple receiving portion of the breast cup and has an axial length less than the length of the nipple receiving portion. The nipple extender provides at least one flow channel for conducting milk from the mother's nipple to the milk delivery aperture and is preferably sized and configured to occupy most of the space in the nipple receiving portion of the breast cup which is not occupied by a mother's nipple.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sanitary tampon including an absorber including: an absorbent layer made of an absorbent fibrous material; and a hydrophobic liquid-permeable layer covering the absorbent layer. The absorber is formed firstly into a flat shape and then into a column shape. The absorbent layer forming the flat absorber is formed with a plurality of small recesses which open in the surface of the absorbent layer and extend into the absorbent layer.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for placement in the thoracic cavity of a patient. The device is a cannula, tube or catheter for chest drainage. The device serves as a conduit for drainage of excessive fluid or air buildup in the chest to a receptacle outside the body. The device also serves to prevent influx of fluid or air into the chest cavity, thus preventing pneumothorax or infection. The device incorporates systems for anchoring the chest drainage cannula to the chest and for steering the chest drainage cannula into the thoracic cavity.

Abstract: A simple disposable absorbent article including an absorbent assembly attached to a chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly is folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form laterally opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to an interior surface of the absorbent assembly adjacent to its end edges. 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 breathable side barriers. The chassis includes a water-impermeable sheet and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern such that portions of the chassis that lie outside the attachment pattern are not restrained by attachment to the absorbent assembly and therefore remain extensible.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disposable undergarment includes moving a web of body panel material in a longitudinal machine direction, forming a cross-machine direction slit in the web, and connecting a crotch member to the web. The crotch member extends in the cross-machine direction and covers the slit. A disposable undergarment having a slit, and a method for the use thereof, is also provided.

Abstract: A vaginal cleaning device includes an elongated applicator including an axial support post having a front end and a rear end, a head with a rear surface connected to the front end of the axial support post; a circular disk disposed around the rear end of the axial support post; and a flexible absorbent material disposed around the axial support post between the head and the circular disk. The device has an elongated handle with a front end connected to the rear end of the elongated applicator, a hollow tube with a front open end and a rear open end, disposed around the elongated applicator, and a removable lid on the front open end of the hollow tube. Also disclosed is a method of using the personal vaginal cleaning device.

Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene that has an insertion end, a withdrawal end, a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material. The outer surface of the tampon includes a plurality of raised portions. Each of the raised portions include a length dimension and a width dimension. The width dimension varies as measured along the length dimension.

Abstract: A bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor defining an opening having a first portion for permitting passage of a member therethrough, and a second portion restricting passage of the member therethrough. The member is movable between the first and second portions in a direction non-parallel to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The restrictor includes an edge lining the opening oriented obliquely to a direction of passage of the member through the opening. The anchor body includes one or more resilient members with sharp, proximal edges for penetrating bone tissue.

Abstract: This invention comprises a flexible ocular device for implantation into the eye formed of a biocompatible elastomeric material, foldable to a diameter of 1.5 mm or less, comprising a fluid drainage tube having at one end a foldable plate adapted to locate the device on the inner surface of the sclera in a suprachoroidal space formed by cyclodialysis, said drainage tube opening onto the disc at one end and opening to the anterior chamber when implanted into the eye at its other end, so as to provide aqueous pressure regulation. Also provided are methods for the treatment of glaucoma utilising the flexible ocular device, and an ocular pressure spike shunt.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and a method promoting the convenient use of hand sterilizing fluids and gels applied to reduce the hand-borne transmission of pathogens. While clean, disinfected hands are widely recognized as a principle means for controlling the spread of infections, disease, and similar health problems to both self and others, the prompt and repeated application of such materials as soap and water or waterless alcohol gels is necessary for maintaining a sanitary hand condition. This is particularly true for nurses, health care providers, veterinarians, elementary teachers, food handlers and others where rapid and continuous movement between patients, clients and tasks provides optimum conditions for cross-contamination. This invention of a convenient, wrist-mounted dispenser of hand sterilizing fluids in a blister package format advances the use of such materials to effectively control the spread of hand-borne pathogens.

Abstract: A gravitational pressure regulating mechanism for use with a valve is provided for control of pressure and diversion of bodily fluids. The mechanism includes a reservoir having first and second ends, the first end being open and the second end having a floor and an entry port, and a free floating weight adapted to freely slide in the reservoir from a closed position wherein the weight is adjacent the floor to an opened position wherein the weight is positioned away from the floor. The weight has a closure member having a surface to engage the entry port when the weight is in the closed position. The mechanism further includes a cap having an exit port to seal the open first end of the reservoir. The mass of the weight is proportional to the amount of resistance to flow of the bodily fluids through the regulating mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for defoaming blood is described, having a surface which comes into contact with blood, said surface being coated with a defoamer which has a hydrophobic component with lipophobic microdomains.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing autologous medical treatment to a patient. The apparatus is characterized by its provision of a harvest catheter operatively connected to a pump and a delivery catheter operatively connected to the pump downstream from the harvest catheter, whereby material from the patient's donor site may be delivered to the patient's treatment site. The method is characterized by surgically implanting at least a first end of the harvest catheter and at least a second end of the delivery catheter within the patient's body. The entire apparatus may be implanted within the patient.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a system and method for disguising a personal care product. The personal care product includes a pattern that matches a design on an undergarment so that the personal care product blends into the background of the undergarment. The method for disguising the personal care product includes creating a pattern to match the design on the undergarment and placing the pattern on the personal care product.

Abstract: A vaginal cleaning device is disclosed, which includes an axial support post having a head disposed at the front end and a circular disk around the rear end, a tubular applicator body disposed around the post between the head and the disk, an applicator extension and a handle. Further disclosed is a vaginal cleaning device which includes a hollow axial support post having a head disposed at the front end, a circular disk around the rear end, a plurality of apertures around the body of the hollow axial support post, a tubular applicator body disposed around the post between the head and the disk, a hollow applicator extension and a fluid supply means connected to the applicator extension. A fluid can be delivered through the hollow applicator extension and the hollow axial support post into the tubular applicator body for cleaning the vagina.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for an eyedropper comprising a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces wherein the base has at least one interface for receiving the eyedropper. There is also a support coupled to the base and extending from the bottom surface of this base. Extending out from this support is a first leg and a second leg. These legs branch apart to form a slot or support groove therebetween. There is also a track formed on the bottom surface of the base wherein the support is adjustably coupled to the track so that the support can slide along the track. At least one band can be coupled to the base. The band is allows an eyedropper to attach to the holder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator/filtration unit to remove approximately 50–75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.

Abstract: A wound dressing including an absorbent core defining opposed proximal and distal surfaces. A perforated skin adherent facing layer is secured to a proximal surface of the absorbent core and a liquid impervious, vapor permeable backing layer is connected to a distal surface of the absorbent core. The backing layer defines at least one compliant element disassociated from the distal surface of the absorbent core and including at least one ridge extending outwardly relative to the distal surface of the absorbent core.