Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering on command any ratio of blood to blood-additive solution of a blood/solution mixture during cardio vascular and cardiac perfusion procedures and more particularly to intermittently and/or continuously delivering on command any ratio of blood to cardioplegia solution of a blood/cardioplegia mixture during cardiac surgery.

Abstract: A medicine bottle is formed with a neck that defines an opening and a closed bottom opposite the opening. A closure element is engaged with the neck to block the opening, and the closure element is formed with a fluid passageway. A fitting is positioned in the fluid passageway. The fitting is configured for receiving the hub of a needleless syringe, and a tube which has a proximal end is positioned in the bottle with the proximal end in fluid communication with the fitting. The tube also has a distal end disposed near the bottom of the bottle. Consequently, the syringe can be engaged with the fitting for drawing liquid from the bottle into the syringe without inverting the bottom of the bottle over the neck of the bottle, even when the bottle is nearly empty.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sterile docking two or more plastic bag units 110. The invention generally includes a sterilizable pouch 102 manufactured from an essentially vapor transmission resistant material. Contained within the pouch 102 is at least one plastic bag unit 110 and a predetermined amount of sterile tubing 108 connected thereto. The pouch 102 includes an aperture 104 in one wall or at one seam through which a tube fitting 106 protrudes. The tube fitting 106 has an internal diameter sufficient to permit passage therethrough of the tubing 108 contained within the pouch 102 and connected to the bag unit 110 contained therein. The protruding tubing 108 then may be used for docking with other bag units 110.

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: Method and apparatus for reconstructing target tissue by grafting uses a stabilizing balloon cannula having an endoscope for visualizing the placement of the graft during the procedure. The method and apparatus advances a sheathed graft to the target tissue, releases the graft at the target site, occludes the target tissue, deploys a graft stabilizing catheter, dissects a cavity outside the target tissue site, maintains the dissection site, and then secures the graft to the target tissue. Alternatively, the method and apparatus creates a cavity extending to the target tissue using an everting balloon cannula with an endoscope, maintains the dissection site, introduces the graft to the target site via the dissection site, and then secures the graft to the target tissue.

Abstract: A bilateral intra-aortic bypass graft and method and apparatus for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm includes two tubular grafts which are intraluminally delivered to the aorta and secured to the aorta by the expansion and deformation of two expandable and deformable tubular members.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having an absorbent core with three longitudinally oriented trisections, a central trisection flanked by two outboard trisections. The absorbent core is formed of a single layer of tissue. The single layer of tissue is folded on itself to provide a two-ply thickness at each of the outboard trisections and a single thickness at the central trisection. The two plies of the outboard trisections are preferably adhered together. Absorbent gelling materials are disposed in each of the outboard trisections. The central trisection is substantially free of absorbent gelling materials. The sanitary napkin also preferably comprises a secondary topsheet intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The secondary topsheet is also substantially free of absorbent gelling materials.

Abstract: A multilayered absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure has a plurality of absorbent planar regions defined by decreasing pore size with increasing depth into the region. Generally, each planar region has an absorbent layer having relatively large average pore sizes at the top, body facing surface, and relatively small average pore sizes at the bottom, garment facing surface. A subsequent absorbent region has a top body facing surface with an average pore size which is larger than the bottom, garment facing surface of the previous absorbent region. The top surface of each subsequent planar region is in fluid communication with the lower surface of the planar region above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component of the present invention is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. Each zone has certain of the desired individual characteristics for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the "entanglement" zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the "spacing" zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone for providing a foundation for the entanglement and spacing zones.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a periphery and including a fluid pervious topsheet, a fluid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet and an absorbent core having a periphery positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet. The sanitary napkin also includes a fluid pervious masking member positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The masking member is disposed along the periphery of the sanitary napkin and covers the periphery of the absorbent core.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive article which includes at least one absorbent, fibrous web layer which is substantially non-hydroentangled. The fibrous web layer can have a basis weight of at least about 60 gsm, and a density of not more than about 0.25 gm/cc. The fibrous web layer can further have a peak geometric mean tensile strength of at least about 250 grams-force per centimeter of width, and can have a fiber content in which at least about 90 wt % of the fibers are composed of fibers having a fiber length of not more than about 0.4 inch (about 1 cm). In particular configurations, the article includes a backsheet layer, and a liquid permeable topsheet layer which is disposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer. An absorbent structure is interposed between the backsheet layer and the topsheet layer, and the absorbent structure has an overall absorbent capacity of at least about 300 grams of saline.

Abstract: Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 60 to 100% by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a porosity of at least about 0.15; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm; and (d) optionally, but preferably, a Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

Abstract: An absorbent article, e.g. or a diaper, is disclosed which comprises a composite structure of a "two-dimensional" or very flat, apertured film or nonwoven layer, in combination with a fluid transferring layer and a superabsorbent polymer-containing laminate, and an absorbent core below the laminate to achieve superior dryness. The superabsorbent polymer-containing laminate, which contains airlaid fibrous components and superabsorbent polymers, swells to at least three times its dry caliper upon fluid introduction in order to achieve movement of the coverstock away from the absorbent core which permits the coverstock to remain relatively dry and avoids rewetting.

Abstract: A surgical device constructed of a polyvinyl acetal having a body constructed with an average pore diameter ranging from about 0.02 to about 1.2 mm and a fused surface layer of about 0.25 min. The fused surface layer is substantially closed and has a pore diameter ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.45 mm allowing absorption of fluid into the body of the device.

Abstract: Material having improved body fluid run through time and reletting resistance is disclosed. The nonwoven composite material comprises a first layer consisting of a nonwoven which is permeable to body fluids and including a layer of carded fibers, also pervious to body fluids, linked to the first layer by needling. In another embodiment, there is a second nonwoven layer on the other side of the carded fiber layer with a weight per unit are less than the weight per unit area of the first layer.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis comprises an acetabular cup in the form of a hollow hemispherical dome having at least two blind sockets on the outer convex surface of the dome spaced apart relative to the rim of the dome, each blind socket having an entrance facing toward the top of the dome for receiving a barb and for fixedly securing the barb to the socket. The acetabular cups and barbs can be provided as sets of different sizes.

Abstract: A biocompatible prosthetic device for the replacement of the temporomandibular joint is provided. The prosthetic device includes an artificial condylar component having a substantially spherical convex articular surface of a first spherical radius for replacing the articular surface of the condylar head. The prosthetic device further includes artificial mandibular fossa component having a substantially spherical concave articular surface of a second spherical radius greater than the first spherical radius. The present invention further includes a surgical method for installation of this prosthetic device.

Abstract: An augment for an orthopaedic implant contains a countersunk through hole. A fixation means interacts with the countersink to produce both downward and lateral forces on the augment. As the fixation means is tightened, it abuts one side of the countersink so that it exerts both a downward force and a lateral force on the augment. The lateral force causes the augment to press tightly against the implant. Because of the combination of downward and lateral forces, the augment strongly resists displacement and rotation.

Abstract: An implantable bone prosthesis, such as an acetabular shell, includes a bone engaging region that is made from a cast metal or metal alloy and an articulation surface that is formed of a ceramic material or a metal that is permanently attached to the metal bone engaging region. The bone engaging region of the prosthesis preferably includes a dampening mechanism to absorb some of the loading forces communicated to the acetabular cavity. The bone prosthesis is formed by a casting process from casting molds that are prepared using a three dimensional printing technique.

Abstract: A finger patch with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing, is a molded solid rubber body which is concave in the undeformed condition, and has a relatively thick mid-portion and a relatively thin edge entirely surrounding the body. The outer surface of the edge is disposed at an acute angle to the underside of the body that contacts the fingertip of the user, thereby to avoid catching of the patch on the edges of papers handled by the user. The patch has a thickness of the thickened mid-portion of 0.023 to 0.049 inch, a Shore "A" hardness of 43-47 and a concavity of about 1/8 inch in its undeformed condition. A release paper covers the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the finger patch being oval and the release paper having a tail that extends from only one end of the oval finger patch.