Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing reduced pressure at a tissue site are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pump for supplying reduced pressure to the tissue site, a motor coupled to the pump to propel the pump, and a drive system electrically coupled to the motor that includes a power source that provides a source of direct current power to the motor during an operational period at a substantially constant current and of sufficient magnitude to supply a targeted reduced pressure during the operational period. The drive system also includes a controller that monitors the pump's loading on the motor by measuring the voltage across the motor to determine whether the motor voltage remains within a predetermined operational range of voltages necessary for maintaining the reduced pressure supplied by the pump proximate to the targeted reduced pressure without directly measuring the reduced pressure using a pressure sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a drug mixing system including a vial adapter assembly including a main body element having a vial receiving portion and a needle puncturable port, the main body element including an axial hollow tubular portion which is in fluid flow engagement with a bore of a vial puncturing spike, the main body element further including a membrane support surface that supports a first membrane which is in fluid flow engagement with the vial puncturing spike via the bore and via a recess formed in an intermediate portion of the main body element, and a second membrane supported by a membrane support member and separated by a gap from the first membrane.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a topically administered drug has a spreader which is used to actuate a pump to release the drug and then to spread the drug on the skin and. The spreader is coupled to a lock that prevents it from actuating the pump after a number of drug doses have been dispensed. The pump can be actuated to release no more than the selected quantity of drug per day or actuation.

Abstract: A medical waste fluid collection and disposal system includes a medical waste fluid collection cart including first and second fluid collection canisters. A valve assembly selectively communicates with the canisters and a valve drive system controls the valve assembly. A liquid level sensor is positioned within each of the canisters. A cart processor communicates with the liquid level sensors and the valve drive system. A cart drain line communicates with the valve assembly and a receptacle, a cart flushing line communicates with the valve assembly and the receptacle and a cart data line and a cart power line communicate with the cart processor and the cart receptacle. A station includes a drain pump that communicates with a drainage system and a station drain line, a flushing pump that communicates with a source of washing liquid and a station flushing line and a station processor in communication with the drain and flushing pumps. A station data line communicates with the station processor.

Abstract: Wound treatment systems and methods are presented that involve treating a wound, such as a burn wound, with an absorbent polymer that helps maintain a desired moisture level and that also involve an evaporative subsystem that removes excess liquid from the absorbent polymer. Other systems, methods, and dressings are presented herein.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance comprising a front wall and a rear wall of flexible material forming a bag, said rear wall having an opening for receiving a stoma, and said rear wall also being provided with an adhesive wafer for securing the appliance to a user's skin, said wafer having a hole being aligned with the opening for receiving the stoma, wherein the opening has an edge being secured to the surface of the adhesive wafer facing away from the user in an attachment zone surrounding the hole of the wafer, wherein a first part of the edge of the opening of the gab is secured to the surface of the wafer in a corresponding first part of the attachment zone, and wherein a second, remaining part of the edge of the opening of the bag is prepared for adhesive sealing of the same to the remaining second part of the attachment zone renders it possible for a nurse to observe the stoma area during adaptation of such a sealing member when applying one-piece appliances.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a fluid collection bag comprises an inlet opening adapted to receive an inlet tube located on a first side of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag has a length greater than the height. The first side of the fluid collection bag is generally parallel with a length of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag further comprises an outlet opening located on a second side of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag may be reversible such that a first surface or a second opposing surface of the fluid collection bag may face a support element.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on garment has a front waist region and a back waist region opposite the front waist region. The disposable pull-on garment also has a chassis and front and back waist members attached to the chassis in the front and back waist regions, respectively. The front waist member has a first retraction force and the back waist member has a second retraction force. The disposable pull-on garment also has a pair of side members attaching the front waist region to the back waist region, thereby forming a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Each of the pair of side members includes a waist zone and a hip zone. The waist zones have retraction forces which are about equal to the first retraction force, and the hip zones have retraction forces which are greater than the first or second retraction forces.

Abstract: A corporeal drainage system including a fluid receptacle. The fluid receptacle in one embodiment is disposable and may be manipulated to generate a negative fluid pressure. The fluid receptacle in another embodiment is reusable and includes features to enable the insertion of a disposable bag therein. A pump may be integral to the fluid receptacle, the pump including a pair of unidirectional check valves. A catheter connection system is described, which facilitates connection between a fluid flow conduit and an implanted catheter. Methods of producing active and passive siphon systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable article useful for facilitating toilet training. The wearable article includes a temperature change element providing a cool/wet signal when wetted which causes discomfort to the wearer. The temperature change element comprises a temperature change substance disposed on an impermeable material in order to maximize the thermal signal provided to the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis includes a water-impermeable backsheet that is folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form laterally opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. Each side flap is also attached to the interior surface of the chassis at continuous longitudinally extending laterally opposing water-impermeable side seals. The chassis is side notched to give it an hourglass shape. The chassis may include an extensible formed web material. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable pant-type garments. Examples of such disposable pant-type garments include disposable underwear, adult incontinence products, disposable pull-on diapers and training pants, and disposable panties for menstrual use.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article has longitudinally extending side edges of a front waist region. The side edges are defined by a pair of hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric layers having mutually opposed surfaces tightly bonded to each other. Fastening zones are formed by an adhesive applied on longitudinally extending side edges of the rear waist region. Landing zones are formed from plastic filmstrip tightly bonded to the side edges of the front waist region.

Abstract: The present invention is a kit for preparing a medical catheter from catheter sections which are short relative to the length of the catheter. The catheter is divided into two or more sections configurable into two configurations. In one configuration, the sections are joined to form a catheter of a greater length than the length of each individual section. In the other configuration, the length of the catheter is reduced. The invention also relates to a method of producing a catheter section by injection molding.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a delivery device that is capable of preventing a content liquid from flowing back and achieving aseptic delivery of liquid drop (dripping), and provide a delivery container, and an eye dropper that can eliminate or reduce the use of an antiseptic agent and achieve smooth delivery of the liquid. The delivery device 10 of the present invention comprises the outlet portion 11 of a substantially bottomed tubular shape having the outlet orifice 12, the valve element support portion 13 of substantially cylindrical shape that is secured in the outlet portion 11 with a distal end 13a thereof exposed through the outlet orifice 12 to the outside of the outlet portion 11, and a valve element 14 that is secured in the outlet portion 11 with a distal end 14a thereof exposed through the outlet orifice 12 to the outside of the outlet portion 11.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and disposable pant like garments are disclosed. In particular, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and pants having an improved barrier cuff structure for improved fit are described. The placement of a barrier cuff structure having a tackdown point near the waistband of the article tends to “pull down” the waistband and may cause sagging. Intermediate tackdown bonds are disclosed to achieve the containment benefits of a barrier cuff structure without sacrificing fit characteristics of the article. The intermediate tackdown may be intermediate one or both of the longitudinal ends of the barrier cuff strip and the lateral side edges of the strip. Additionally, the relationship of forces, angles, and design characteristics of aspects of the articles and sagging are disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable ostomy receiving bag having front and rear walls sealed together along the rim thereof and having a top end and a bottom end, and a cover of a sheet material covering one or both surfaces of the bag and only secured to the wall along the part of the rim being superimposed on the sealed rim of the front and rear walls. The bottom end can be folded to reduce the size of the bag, with the folded end discreetly hidden under the cover sheet. Should a larger collecting volume be needed, unfolding of the bag allows for an easy enlargement of the active volume of the bag simply by withdrawing the end of the bag from under the cover sheet.

Abstract: A wound dressing member is provided for use in a vacuum bandage connected to a vacuum source. The wound dressing member is also provided for use with a wound having a wound surface. The wound dressing member includes a wound facing surface adapted to be in contact with and generally conform to the wound surface and a plurality of discrete holes formed in the wound facing surface. The member further includes a port configured to communicate with the vacuum source and with each hole formed in the wound facing surface. The wound dressing member further includes a stand-off having interconnected portions coupled to the wound facing surface and configured to provide a space between the wound facing surface and the wound surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing body fluids from a body cavity by suction, such as a thorax, gastric or any other human body cavity or a wound, comprises means (9) to increase the pressure difference between a pressure in a drainage lumen (3) and a pressure in the atmosphere when an auxiliary lumen (5) is open. The apparatus enables removal of clots or other plugs of the catheter and drainage tube in an efficient and not patient disturbing way.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial includes a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial includes a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.