Abstract: A non-continuous absorbent core having a plurality of interconnected strands separated by voids. The strands comprises a porous absorbent macrostructure. The porous macrostructure has interconnected absorbent gelling particles that are surface crosslinked with cationic, preferably polymeric, amino-epichlorohydrin adducts. Upon contacting liquids such as water or body exudates (e.g., urine), the absorbent core can absorb the liquids without undesirable planer expansion. The core is useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved device and process of assuring separation of an anticoagulant type fluid from a saline type fluid each of which is utilized in the process and operation of a plasma-pheresis apparatus or the process of collecting donor blood, is disclosed. The improvement includes a cross-spike prevention receptacle which is dimensioned, and installed positionally in reference to a plasmapheresis or blood donor apparatus, to receive an anticoagulant fluid container to which a proper respective supply communication line will connect, and to exclude and not receive a saline fluid container or container holding a similar type of fluid, whose fluid line will not reach and connect to the installed cross-spike prevention receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved disposable diaper and method therefor. The disposable diaper achieves significant fluid absorbency through a wadding batt layer consisting solely of a combination of wood pulp and cotton pulp, rather than through a wadding batt layer comprising wood pulp and a superabsorbent polymer. In this fashion, the disposable diaper minimizes skin irritation that may be caused during rewetting when body waste fluids contacting the superabsorbent polymers carry a portion thereof back out through the diapers into contact with the skins of babies or children using the diapers. The disposable diaper also minimizes skin irritation caused when both the exterior portion of a diaper contacts a child's skin or the skin of a person touching the diaper, by the use of an outer and inner surface layer of a soft, cloth-like, non-woven bond material such as polyester.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, is disclosed that has components which may separate in the Z-direction with relation to other components of the article when the absorbent article is worn. The sanitary napkin of the present invention comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a relatively shift liquid pervious spacing structure for moving the topsheet away from the core. The spacing structure is generally positioned between the topsheet and the core. The spacing structure has a longitudinal centerline, and opposed lateral sides which may move inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline when the spacing is compressed from the sides. This results in at least a portion of the spacing structure moving the topsheet apart from the absorbent core.

Abstract: A disposable sanitary towel (1) comprising a liquid-permeable upper layer (5), an impermeable lower layer (7) and an absorbent element (6), is provided with an intermediate layer (10) disposed between the upper layer (5) and the absorbent element (6) and extending around the side edges (8) of the absorbent element (6) such that it can distribute the liquid received and prevent losses of liquid from the side edges of the absorbent element (6). The towel (1) is further provided with an absorbent element (6) comprising an improved layer structure.

Abstract: The absorbent sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that:the absorbent sheet contains bulky cellulose fibers and hydrophilic fine fibers or hydrophilic fine particles; the proportion of the hydrophilic fine fibers or the hydrophilic fine particles is higher in one side of the absorbent sheet than in the other side; the bulky cellulose fibers have an average fiber length of 1 to 20 mm and a degree of fiber roughness of 0.3 mg/m or more; the hydrophilic fine fibers have an average fiber length of 0.02 to 0.5 mm; and the hydrophilic fine particles have an average particle diameter of 0.02 to 0.5 mm. The absorbent sheet is useful as, in particular, an absorbent member of absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins or disposable articles.

Abstract: A liquid-absorbent article having a high absorption capacity and a short fluid penetration time. The liquid-absorbent article comprises sphagnum moss material containing an effective amount of cross-linked cellulosic fibers. The liquid-absorbent article is well-suited for use as an absorbent component of a disposable absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, an incontinence pad, an adult brief, a wound dressing, a nursing pad, a tampon pledger, or as desiccant for packaging materials to keep goods dry during shipping or storage. The invention also extends to a novel method for manufacturing the liquid-absorbent article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent articles having breathable side panels. The disposable absorbent article preferably comprises a containment assembly including a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, an inner surface and an outer surface. The backsheet has a garment-facing surface, a body-facing surface, a central region and an outer region. The backsheet preferably further includes at least three distinct zones, a pair of apertured zones comprising apertures and a non-apertured zone. The apertured zones preferably include at least a portion of the outer region of the backsheet and extend laterally outwardly form each of the longitudinal edges. The non-apertured zone preferably comprises the central region and is juxtaposed the outer surface of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A non-continuous absorbent composite having a plurality of interconnected strands separated by voids. The strands comprises a porous, absorbent macrostructure and a substrate. The porous macrostructure has interconnected absorbent gelling particles that are surface crosslinked with cationic, preferably polymeric, amino-epichlorohydrin adducts. Upon contacting liquids such as water or body exudates (e.g., urine), the absorbent composite can absorb the liquids without undesirable planer expansion, The composite is useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis having a femoral element, a tibial element and a bearing for articulation therebetween is disclosed to further include an intermediate element. The intermediate element permits rotation of the bearing with respect to the tibial element and longitudinal translation of the bearing with respect to the intermediate element. Transverse translation of the bearing with respect to the intermediate element is precluded. In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal translation may be limited either in the anterior or posterior direction.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic device for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus is inserted into a tinnitus patient's primary auditory cortex (or thalamus). The prosthetic device includes a stimulation device for outputting processed electrical signals and an electrode arranged in the primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the electrical signals. In another embodiment, a catheter is inserted into the tinnitus patient's primary auditory cortex or thalamus. The catheter microinfuses drugs which suppress or eliminate abnormal neural activity into disperse geometric locations in the cortex or thalamus, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of the patient's tinnitus.

Abstract: A light weight, low density absorbent structure suitable for use in disposable absorbent products which is formed from a fibrous web of cellulose and cellulose acetate fibers. The fibrous web is treated with a triacetin solvent and heat cured to bond the fibers. The absorbent structure has excellent structural integrity and an absorbent capacity and strength which is equal to or exceeds that of absorbent structures having twice the basis weight.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided with an indicator adapted to be revealed as it is wetted with discharged urine and to tell a mother her baby's urination. The indicator comprises a hydrophilic base sheet, a first coating layer formed on one side of the base sheet so as to develop its proper color as the indicator is wetted with urine, and a second coating layer formed on the other side of the base sheet or upper surface of the first coating layer and intermittently bonded to the inner surface of the backsheet so that the second coating layer covers up the first coating layer. The second coating layer becomes transparent as the indicator is wetted with urine.

Abstract: A disposable cover which, when used with an absorbent material, such as a pad of woven cloth, provides an absorbent article, such as a catamenial pad is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable cover comprises a liquid pervious rewet barrier and an anti-stain barrier joined thereto. Preferably, the rewet barrier comprises a material having capillaries which allow bodily liquids to rapidly penetrate therethrough and the anti-stain barrier is provided in two portions, one of which is joined to each longitudinal edge of the fewer barrier. The disposable cover can also be provided with absorbent attachment means for securing the cover to the absorbent material and with garment attachment means for securing the assembly of the disposable cover and the absorbent material to a user's undergarment. Alternative embodiments of the invention can assume a pouch configuration.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin is provided. The sanitary napkin of the present invention has a body-conforming configuration that is provided at least in part by a longitudinally-oriented resilient hump-forming element. The hump-forming element is positioned to form a hump along the longitudinal centerline on the body surface of the sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin may also be provided with bending axes. The sanitary napkin may also be provided in a curved configuration.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment for use as a baby diaper and the like includes a pair of differentially stretchable ear members wherein each differentially stretchable ear member comprises a stretchable inner ear portion and a stretchable outer ear portion. A first fastening mechanism on each ear is releasably fastenable to the front of the article, and second fastenable members on the outermost portions of each stretchable ear are fastenable together at the front of the diaper when worn.

Abstract: A method and device for sampling biological fluids during collection without opening the functionally closed collection system, thereby compromising the sterility of the collected fluid. A sample bag connected to a fluid line or collection reservoir is filled coincident with fluid collection, then hermetically sealed and physically separated from the collection system using a radio frequency tubing sealer. A vacuum tube collection device is attached to the sample bag to minimize exposure to the fluid during sample handling and processing.

Abstract: Absorbent articles, such as catamenial tampons, for absorbing body fluids are disclosed which include an effective amount of a nitrogen containing compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria. The compound is one or more nitrogen containing compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, inclusive of the carbonyl carbon, is an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 can be the same or different. Moieties R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 can be selected from hydrogen and an alkyl group having 1 to about 12 carbon atoms which may contain one or more substituent groups selected from ester, ether, amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carboxyl salts, sulfonate, sulfonate salts and mixtures thereof. The compound is effective in substantially inhibiting the production of TSST-1 and Enterotoxin-B from S. aureus bacteria.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, adult incontinent device which have absorbent cores comprised of blends of different types of fibers are provided. The absorbent articles preferably comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, a blended absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer. The absorbent core comprises a homogeneous blend of fibers comprising a first group of short, low denier, hydrophilic fibers and a second group of longer, higher denier, moisture insensitive synthetic fibers. The first group of fibers is selected from a group comprising natural fibers, synthetic fibers or cross-linked cellulose fibers. The second group of fibers comprises between about 5 and 90% of said absorbent core, by weight. The absorbent core is compressed to a density of at least about 0.09 g/cm.sup.3 (1.5 g/in..sup.2).

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises an absorbent panel and a backing web secured to the panel. A preferred form of the web comprises an apertured film. The web may also include other components on the apertured film, including adhesive. The apertured film is preferably produced from a solid precursor film. The precursor film comprises a copolymer of ethylene and a comonomer polymerized using a single-site metallocene-type polymerization catalyst. The apertured film is formed from the precursor film so that the apertured film has localized deformations and apertures therein. The apertured film exhibits breathability, strength, and flexibility with an elasticity accommodating stretch or elongation and at least partial recovery.