Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent, disposable article, preferably a diaper, having a backsheet and a topsheet comprising a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region interposed there between, a longitudinal axis, and an opening, which provides a passageway to a primary void space for receiving bodily exudates therein, positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; whereby the opening is positioned in at least the crotch region along the longitudinal axis; whereby the topsheet is elasticated; and whereby the article has a shortened article portion, as defined herein, which has a shortened article length L, a stretched shortened article length Ls and a contacted shortened article length Lc, whereby the article and/or its topsheet has an specific elastic profile and/or a specific ratio of Lc to Ls.

Abstract: A waist belt used for supporting a disposable absorbent assembly is disclosed. The belt includes a central segment positioned along the longitudinal centerline of the belt, at least two intermediate segments transversely outwardly extending from the central segment, and at least two distal segments transversely outwardly extending from an intermediate segment. Each intermediate segment covers a side hip of the wearer when the belt is worn. The longitudinal length of each intermediate segment is greater than that of the central segment, and greater than that of each distal segment. The belt further includes a fastener element positioned on at least one of the distal segments for releasably securing the belt around the waist of the wearer, and an attachment surface formed at least on each intermediate segment for releasably attaching the disposable assembly to the belt. An absorbent article comprising such a belt is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved smoke evacuation system and method for removing gaseous byproducts of surgical procedures and noxious vapors from chemicals is provided. The smoke and vapor evacuation system includes a vacuum head positionable at a surgical site or incorporated into a workstation. The vacuum head includes a plenum, and a plenum support for preventing the plenum from collapsing when a vacuum or low pressure is established therein, and is adapted to facilitate the use of the system in a variety of surgical or commercial procedures at a variety of surgical sites or commercial workstations.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin in which diffusing liquid hardly reaches a rear end edge is adapted to make a liquid absorbent layer less deformable in a rear region so that it can easily be kept in close contact with the wearer's buttocks. The sanitary napkin has an elongated main absorbent region surrounded by compressed grooves that are formed in a skin-side surface. Since a rear end of the main absorbent region is far away from a rear end edge of the napkin to provide a relatively large rear region, worries about rearward leakage may be relieved. Furthermore, since auxiliary longitudinal grooves are provided in the rear region, a liquid absorbent layer may hardly be twisted.

Abstract: A containerless tissue sample collection trap featuring, in the preferred embodiment, a flexible filter and an applicator having a shaft terminating in a distal end with a channel therein receiving a portion of the flexible filter, the combination of the applicator and the flexible filter receivable in a suction tube and configured such that when the applicator is removed, the flexible filter forms a removable elongated tissue trap in the suction tube. Also disclosed is a method of trapping tissue wholly within a suction tube thereby eliminating the need for a specimen trap container and a method of making a containerless tissue specimen trap.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing body liquids, comprising a unitary system of microlayered film constructed and arranged to carry out the multiple functions of liquid intake, liquid uptake and distribution, liquid retention and liquid barrier requisite for such an absorbent article. The unitary system comprises a series of sequentially arranged topside, inside and bottom side regions having different properties needed to perform the functions of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A suction limiting device with variable control for use in a surgical system includes a main vent body having a fluid carrying bore extending therethrough and a variable vent mechanism having a main vent opening in selective fluid communication with the fluid carrying bore so as to permit introduction of atmospheric air into the fluid carrying bore. The vent mechanism being adjustable so that the degree of airflow into the fluid carrying bore is variable between a fully open position to a fully closed position where atmospheric air is prevented from entering the fluid carrying bore. The suction limiting device also includes a valve disposed within the main vent body and positionable between an open position when negative pressure and a closed position when positive pressure exists in the main vent body.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance including a body side member having an adhesive wafer for securing the appliance to the user's skin, and a separate sealing member for sealing against the stoma, the separate sealing member being in the form of a disc having a centre hole for accommodating the stoma. The disc is made from a material that may be detached, rinsed and reapplied such that the disc has a service time at least as long as the body side member. The disc reduces the frequency of stressing the skin around the stoma due to exchange of the body side member by protecting the surface of the adhesive wafer from soiling by and attack from the aggressive visceral contents and facilitates the cleaning of the body side member.

Abstract: An ostomy pouch (10) includes a front wall (12) provided with a comfort layer (16) and a vent (22). An apertured cover layer (24) is secured to the front wall (12) through the comfort layer (16) to define a chamber for a filter element (28) and to provide a smooth surface to which can be applied an adhesive sticker. The cover layer (24) includes a plurality of apertures (30), and the flow rate through the vent can be controlled by positioning the sticker to selectively block one or more of the apertures (30). An adhesive wafer (40) includes both circular and non-circular (race-track) cut-out guidelines for enabling the aperture to be cut to any desired shape and size. The wafer (40) is secured to the pouch along a weld line having a shape corresponding to a combined circular and race-track silhouette.

Abstract: A diaper with an integral feces receiver. This receiver is connected to the interior of the diaper by an oval opening. The walls of the receiver are undercut so that the cross-section expands as the fecal matter moves from the opening downward. A thickened supporting section is provided around the receiver so that the user's weight will not force the solid material out of the receiver and back into the interior of the diaper. The fecal matter is thereby contained within the receiver and away from the user. A layered version is shown, in which the diaper's structure is built from a series of stacked cross sections.

Abstract: A device for receiving and retaining urine from a person wearing the device is disclosed. The device is particularly well suited for use by persons who expect to have inadequate access to bathroom facilities, such as people pursuing recreational activities or attending large public gatherings, as well as persons who have a greater than normal need for access to a bathroom, such as people with diabetes. The device provides a sleek, streamlined form that is comfortable to wear, as well as being discrete and readily concealed by a user.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided with elastically stretchable waist areas extending in a transverse direction along respective end portions of front and rear waist regions and a pair of elastically stretchable wing areas extending outward in the transverse direction from the side edge portions of the rear waist region. The side edge portions of the rear waist region are respectively interposed between the stretchable waist area and the stretchable wing areas. The stretchable wing areas have a transverse stretch stress higher than a transverse stretch stress of the stretchable waist area, so the tensile force exerted on the stretchable wing areas is segmentalized and restrained by the side edge portions of the rear waist region.

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: For safely inserting a catheter into a chest cavity of a child or corpulent patient to be retained therein and for preventing atmospheric air from proceeding into the chest cavity during a removal of a penetrating needle, discharge equipment for medical procedures is provided which equipment includes a connector cap and a storage bottle detachably connectable to each other, a connector to be connected to the catheter retained in the patient, a check valve including an outer periphery covered by a protective cover and being openable only toward a storage bottle side, and a coupling device to the storage bottle mounted on the connector cap. The storage bottle is a hollow container including an inlet port and a discharge port, a detachably connecting device for the connector cap mounted on the inlet port, and a check valve openable only toward an exterior of the storage bottle is mounted on the discharge port.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic or semi-automatic bladder relief and hydration system, designed to increase sanitation and comfort for users that require disposal of urine and hydration in the absence of sanitary facilities or potable fluids. This invention incorporates an inflatable urine collection means that may be deflated after use. A dual chambered back pack stores urine and potable fluid and/or liquid food. This invention incorporates disposable batteries integrated into a disposable urine storage bag. The disposable urine storage bag has a cleaning fluid chamber with a directional valve and pump system that automatically rinses and sanitizes the pump, hoses, collection means and the user with cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid chamber. The disposable urine storage bag also contains absorbent polymer crystals capable of absorbing the urine as it is deposited in the bag during use.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing fluid distribution. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fluid detection network is used to assess the fluid distribution of a fluid collection article having a plurality of tested regions. Each tested region of the fluid collection article is serviced by the fluid detection network. The fluid detection network is configured to indicate a fluid distribution of the fluid collection article. According to another aspect of the disclosure, a monitoring subsystem assesses a fluid distribution of a test area serviced by a fluid detection network, wherein the fluid detection network has a net characteristic indicative of the fluid distribution of the test area.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an endourethral prosthesis, assembly, and attendant methods are provided for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary retention. The endourethral prosthesis includes a reversibly expandable element disposed circumferentially about, and longitudinally along a tubular member adapted to receive urine. The tubular member is positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the reversibly expandable element operatively engages a structure of the lower urinary tract so as to prevent migration of the prosthesis so positioned. The reversibly expandible element is in non-reversible fluid communication with the tubular element for selective expansion thereof, the reversibly expandible element is further operatively engagable so as to discharge fluid non-reversibly received from the tubular member exterior to same.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic or semi-automatic bladder relief system, specifically designed to increase the overall sanitation and comfort for users requiring a means to dispose of urine in the absence of sanitary facilities in situations such as aircraft pilots and incontinent individuals. This invention incorporates an inflatable urine collection means that may be deflated after use. The power unit incorporates a disposable battery that is integrated into a disposable urine storage bag. This invention also utilizes a disposable urine storage bag with an isolated cleaning fluid chamber with a directional valve and pump system automatically rinsing and sanitizing the pump, hoses, collection means and the user with a cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid chamber of the disposable urine storage bag. The disposable urine storage bag contains absorbent polymer crystals absorbing the urine as it is deposited in the bag during use.

Abstract: Liquid collection apparatus usable during surgery, comprising a shallow tray defining a liquid receiving zone that is upwardly exposed for receiving liquid dropping from a surgery area, and a liquid collector in a zone for collecting dropping liquid while allowing a surgeon to tread over a collector, during surgery.

Abstract: This invention is an automatic or semi-automatic bladder relief system for users that require disposal of urine in the absence of sanitary facilities, like aircraft pilots and incontinent individuals. It incorporates an inflatable urine collector deflatable after use. It incorporates disposable batteries into a disposable urine storage bag with an isolated cleaning fluid chamber with directional valve and pump system that automatically rinses and sanitizes the pump, hoses, collection means and user with cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid chamber. The urine storage bag has a failsafe device in the event of system failure, it being detachable from the pump with a stored extendable portion forming a seal with user's body allowing urination into the bag without urine splash-back and upon completion the user places the extended portion back into the unit closing it with a ziplock. The storage bag contains absorbent polymer crystals absorbing the deposited urine.