Abstract: An anatomical apron configured for illustrating an ostomy surgical procedure is provided. The apron includes a body portion having a neck loop attached thereto that is configured to loop around a person's neck so that the body portion covers a frontal area of the person's body. The apron includes one or more pieces of material fashioned as human body organs fastened to the apron body. A first flap is attached to the apron body and configured to cover a portion of the one or more pieces of material fashioned as body organs, wherein the first flap may be fastened in a covered position. The apron also includes one or more slits positioned in the first flap configured such that one or more of the pieces of material fashioned as human body organs may be routed through so as to illustrate a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Featured is an automatic high-negative pressure relief valve and its use in combination with an apparatus for draining fluid from a body. In broad terms the negative pressure relief valve includes a biasing mechanism, a moveable member acted upon by the biasing mechanism and a seating surface. When the pressure within a chamber, in which a portion of the relief valve is in fluid communication with, is less than a predetermined negative pressure, the moveable member is moved by the biasing mechanism to sealing engage the seating surface and when the pressure is at or above the predetermined value, the restoring force of the biasing mechanism is overcome and the moveable member moves away from the seating surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the biasing mechanism is a spring, diaphragm or wave washer.

Abstract: A portable closed wound drainage system that uses a pouch shaped dressing which is inserted into a wound. At least a portion of the outer surface of the pouch 1 is porous to allow exudates to enter. Exudates are removed from the pouch by flexible tubing which is secured inside the pouch at one end, and secured at the other end to a portable drain/suction unit. The pouch contains porous material, and may optionally contain beads and fillers which are antibacterial in nature. The tubing can have a single or multi-lumen structure with perforations in the side walls of the end of the tube that is inserted in the pouch to allow body fluids to enter laterally. The portable drain/suction unit is preferably a portable battery powered device. The pouch and the tube are sealed by a flexible sealing material which is applied to the outer surface of the skin around the periphery of the pouch and the tubing as it exits the pouch.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a fluid-permeable topsheet, a fluid-impermeable backsheet and a fluid-retentive absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the disposable diaper being formed in a substantially vertically elongated configuration and having a stomach side, a back side and a crotch region positioned between the stomach side and the back side, wherein a second absorbent core is disposed at an outside region of each opposite side edge of the absorbent core at the crotch region along a longitudinal direction of the diaper, and an elastic member is disposed at the region where the second absorbent core is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the diaper.

Abstract: The security assembly is designed to be fitted to a syringe comprising a body provided with one end for connection to an injection needle and one end for inserting a piston. The security assembly comprises a member for fitting to the body of the syringe so as to be constrained axially relative to the body, and a security cap for covering the injection end of the body, the cap being provided with a proximal portion for connection to the fitted member and a distal portion for releasing the injection end and connected to the connection portion by frangible means. The fitted member forms a member that is designed to retain the piston inside the body.

Abstract: A screen for use with a fluid/specimen collector and a combination screen and fluid/specimen collector for collecting and trapping patient specimen(s) during a medical procedure comprising a collecting trap for receiving fluid/specimen(s) therein, a lid, an intake member for transferring fluid/specimen(s) from a patient into the collecting trap, and a waste exit member. The screen of the invention comprises an insert member capable of being placed within the lid of the fluid/specimen collector. The insert member includes an intake aperture, enabling the intake member to extend through to transfer fluid/specimen(s) from a patient into the collecting trap. The insert also includes a plurality of straining apertures capable of allowing excess fluid to pass through and exit the collector through the waste exit member while preventing specimens from passing through the straining apertures, thus trapping these specimens within the collector for easy retrieval for subsequent medical testing.

Abstract: This invention proposes a urinary catheter set with a urinary catheter disposed in a sterile package, which urinary catheter has a catheter shaft, a catheter tip and a preferably funnel-shaped end on the collecting pouch end, with a cuff being disposed in the package, which cuff encloses the catheter shaft. The cuff is preferably disposed so as to be movable along the length of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A shunt includes a first occlusion assembly and a second occlusion assembly. The first occlusion assembly includes a first occlusion fluid conduit that carries an inflation fluid from a fluid source to a first balloon of the shunt. The second occlusion assembly includes a second occlusion fluid conduit that carries an inflation fluid from a fluid source to a second balloon of the shunt. The first occlusion assembly includes a first color and the second fluid assembly includes a second color, distinct from the first color. The distinctive colorings of the first and second occlusion fluid conduits remain visible within an operative field during an endarterectomy procedure and allow a user to distinguish the first occlusion assembly from the second occlusion assembly during the procedure.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprises a plurality of radiopaque markers having a high radiographic density and a distinctive, visually recognizable shape. The markers have an x-ray density equivalent to at least about 0.1 g/cm2 of BaSO4. The markers produce an x-ray image with high contrast and a shape that is readily recognizable and differentiated from the images produced by other items and structures commonly seen in x-rays of post-operative patients. Owing to the distinctive, high contrast image produced by the markers, the sponge is reliably and unambiguously detected. This is so even in situations where the sponge is inadvertently left in the surgical wound. Discomfort, trauma, and possibly fatal consequences that might otherwise occur are virtually eliminated. The surgical procedure is carried out with decreased likelihood of a sponge being retained inadvertently.

Abstract: An elastic composite is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The elastic composite has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally cross machine direction and in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a first longitudinally extending side edge and a second longitudinally extending side edge between which, the elastic construction is disposed. The elastic composite further includes an elasticized region, wherein the elastic construction is disposed, a first non-elasticized region disposed between the first side edge and the elasticized region, and a second non-elasticized region disposed between the second side edge and the elasticized region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling movement of a catheter that is at least partially disposed therein a urinary catheter pouch. The invention particularly relates to a catheter movement control device for use with a urinary catheter pouch which aids in preventing the catheter from moving back into the pouch once the catheter has been deployed. The device makes it easier to use a urinary catheter contained in a urinary catheter pouch. This is especially true for those with disabilities that would have difficulty gripping the catheter within the pouch.

Abstract: A universal valve for the Foley type urinary catheter has structure which permits its use as a patient controlled drainage valve, as an interface from which to take sterile samples, and as a connection to a day or night collection bag all without removal of the universal valve from the Foley type urinary catheter. The universal valve may be open or closed by the use of a squeeze mechanism for patient control, or by movement of the threaded connection between the universal valve and a collection bag so that the universal valve is continuously open for drainage into the urine collection bag.

Abstract: A hygiene article has a fluid permeable protective layer, a rear, fluid impermeable layer and an absorbing body arranged between the layers. The article has a first longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction. Fastening elements are provided for removably fastening the hygiene article when worn by a user. The fastening elements include a clip which cooperates with an application zone of the hygiene article. Each fastening element has a first zone, by means of which the fastening element can be attached to the hygiene article, and a second zone, arranged at a distance from the first zone in the transverse direction and in which the clip is provided. Each fastening element is folded in a zigzag manner along folding lines extending in the longitudinal direction. The second zone provided with the clip is arranged outside of the zigzag folded configuration in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A system for applying suction to a wound uses a reference airflow for monitoring system operation. A reference airflow (or “controlled leak”) to the suction source is provided when the system is in operation, such that deviation from the reference airflow can be monitored as an indication of a change in operation, such as a leak in the seal of the wound cover, a blockage of airflow from crimping of the suction conduit or overfill of the waste collector, or an inadvertent turn off or disconnect from the suction source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to urination apparatus for urine sample collection for testing of urine, waste urine collection for disposal of urine resulting from urination away from toilets, and simplification of urination by women without sitting on a toilet. A urine sample collection apparatus (100B) has a tubular portion (3) having a coupling (60A) in the side thereof formed for releasably mounting an open topped urine sample collection container (70) thereto in a direction extending generally away from the axis of said tubular portion. The apparatus also has a urine receiving receptor (1B) with a surface portion (4B) extending from a rim (5B), bounding an inlet surface which is symmetrical about the axis of said tubular portion, to an aperture (2B) from which said tubular portion extends in a direction generally away from said inlet surface.

Abstract: A fastening element for hygiene articles. The fastening element presents a first longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction in the form of a longitudinal section. The fastening element includes mechanically adhering clip elements, a first section corresponding to a first support layer and a second section corresponding to a second support layer. The first section contains a first zone by which the fastening elements are attached to the hygiene article. The second section contains a second zone arranged outside of the first section in the transverse direction in which the clip elements are provided. The element is folded in a zigzag manner along longitudinal folding lines and the second zone with the mechanically adhering clip elements lies outside of the zigzag folded configuration in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A skin care device includes a suction nozzle to be brought into contact with skin to suction skin impurities therefrom, a suction pump for generating a suction force of the suction nozzle, a mist nozzle installed near the suction nozzle, for ejecting a mist of liquid, a tank for storing therein a liquid to be supplied to the mist nozzle, a liquid supply pump for supplying the liquid to the mist nozzle from the tank, a drive motor for driving the suction pump and the liquid supply pump at the same time, and a liquid amount control unit for controlling an amount of the liquid ejected from the mist nozzle. The liquid amount control unit is a flow rate regulation device disposed between the tank and the mist nozzle.

Abstract: An undergarment includes a body panel and an crotch member. The crotch member includes first and second terminal edges and laterally opposed side edges. The crotch member has a longitudinally extending length defined between the first and second terminal edges. The crotch member is connected to the body panel at an attachment location, which is longitudinally spaced along the length of the crotch member from the first terminal edge thereof. The crotch member includes an unattached end portion that extends between the attachment location and the first terminal edge and that is unattached to the body panel. Methods of using and manufacturing the undergarment are also provided.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes first and second engagement members attached to the outer surface of a front waist region along transversely opposite side edge portions thereof so as to be spaced from each other by a given dimension in a longitudinal direction and third engagement members attached to in the inner surface of a rear waist region along transversely opposite side edge portions thereof. The first engagement embers are laid on the respective side edge portions in longitudinally upper zones, the second engagement members are laid on the side edge portions in longitudinally lower zones, the third engagement members are laid on the side edge portions in longitudinally intermediate zones and hooks are respectively formed on the outer surface of the first and second engagement members and on the inner surface of the third engagement members.

Abstract: A counter pressure device for ophthalmic drug delivery. The device includes a handle and a head coupled to a distal end of the handle. The head comprises a curved, concave surface for contacting the conjunctiva and having a notch for removably receiving a cannula. The device minimizes or prevents drug reflux and facilitates drug placement during ophthalmic drug delivery.