Abstract: A diaper assembly including a reusable over-garment having opposite side edges and two opposite ends and inner and outer surfaces and an absorbent liner adapted for positioning on the inner surface side of the over-garment. This liner also has opposite ends and inner and outer surfaces. There is a separate, disposable non-absorbent inner sheet adapted to cover the inner surface of the liner and having opposite ends. Preferably snap fasteners are provided for detachably connecting the opposite ends of both the liner and the inner sheet to respective opposite ends of the garment to enhance stability. Preferably a moisture proof sheet is disposed on the inner surface of the over-garment and this sheet has elasticized side edges.

Abstract: Reusable infant garment such as a diaper, or undergarment, the like configured to have loop means for securement by separate, detachable hook means.

Abstract: A disposable pressure applying bandage for superficial wounds comprises a pad, for placement on a wound, a flexible arcuate member having its convex surface against the pad, and adhesive material extending over the arcuate member, for attachement of the arcuate member and the pad over the wound. Attachment of the adhesive material to a patient's skin flattens the arcuate member, to a lesser or greater degree, applying pressure to the wound.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protective undergarment for an individual who is bowel incontinent. The undergarment provides an elasticized, double panel pouch that is suspended from a waistband whereby the inner panel of the pouch is drawn between the buttocks of the individual. An elasticized slit opening on the inner panel of this pouch is thereby positioned adjacent to the individual's anus and permits the admission of fecal material directly into the pouch.

Abstract: A dispenser for liquids, e.g., ophthalmic liquids, is provided with a movable top that pivots open to expose a recessed dispensing tip and pivots closed to cover and seal the dispensing tip.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a liquid permeable outer material, a liquid impermeable antileakage material, and a liquid retentive absorbent element interposed therebetween, and formed in a generally vertically elongated shape, the improvement including a pair of fixing elements extending outwardly in a width direction from both longitudinal edges of the absorbent article, each of the fixing element being provided on at least a back side thereof with a first adhesive portion having no separate paper, the pair of fixing elements being able to be adhered to and separated from a back side of the absorbent article through the first adhesive portions.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe having a needle which folds back into a longitudinally extending channel formed on the side of the barrel of the syringe after use. A disinfectant pad may be mounted in the channel for sterilizing the needle, and lugs are provided for retaining the needle in the channel. During use, the needle is mounted to the lower end of the syringe by a supporting boss. This boss may be provided with a relatively weaker portion so that it snaps off from the barrel of the syringe in response to lateral pressure. Alternatively, there is a releasable catch which holds the boss in abutment with the end of the barrel. After the boss is separated from the end of the barrel, a pivot hinge which is mounted to the boss permits it to be folded into the protective channel.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have a unique elastic waist feature that improve the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. The elastic waist feature comprises an "expansive tummy panel" that is capable of expanding well- beyond the dimensions of the absorbent article set by the primary fastening system (and the original dimensions of the end edge) so as to accommodate wearers, especially large infants, with large expansile waists so as to reduce the sagging/slipping of the absorbent article. The extension forces of the elasticized waistband are lower than the extension forces of the elasticized side panels so as to accommodate such expansion. In preferred embodiments of the elastic waist feature, the elasticized waistband is formed from a stretch laminate.

Abstract: An absorbent body having an absorbent polymer and hydrophilic fibers as main components thereof, characterized by the fact that the density of said absorbent body is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 or a ratio of wet swelling is not less than 200%, a capacity of said absorbent body for absorption of physiological saline solution under pressure is in the range of from 11 to 25 g/g, and the ratio of exfoliation of said absorbent polymer is not more than 45%, and an absorbent article comprising a liquid-pervious surface material, a liquid-impervious lining material, and the absorbent body layer interposed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention discloses a biodegradable fluid-absorbing structure in which the primary fluid barrier in the structure is a unique utilization of a material in the outer cover of the structure which forms a fluid barrier when exposed to a fluid exuded by an absorbent center section of the structure. The biodegradable fluid-absorbing structure of the invention is suitable for use in a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin, bed pan liner and the like, and is also flushable.

Abstract: A reusable cloth diaper made more easily fitted by being stretchable without requiring the use of non-cloth materials by providing a pattern of folding to allow the diaper to stretch at an angle to the straight of the fabric or on the bias of the fabric with a minimum of stitching, having directions printed thereon for the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a delivery system comprising a biocide, with the delivery system designed and shaped for passage through the exit port of a urine container into the container.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a unique elastic waist feature improving dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone. The waistband flexural hinge zone is predisposed to allow the panel zones to flexurally bend about a defined axis or zone is resilient to provide a restoring force/moment that returns the panel zones to their preceding in-use configuration, especially when the elasticized waistband has been pretensioned by a closure system.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance in the form of a collection pouch and an adhesive faceplate respectively equipped with coupling rings for latching the two parts together. The coupling rings are relatively large and the pouch coupling ring has attached thereto a peristomal barrier ring of soft, deformable, skin-contacting sealant material extending radially inwardly from the pouch coupling ring and defining a stoma-receiving opening.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for collecting a patient's blood for re-use of autotransfusion, in which blood is collected from a patient and delivered for treatment in a container, outside the patient, for later re-use or retransfusion to the patient. The treatment given to the blood before autotransfusion may reside in treating the blood to resist coagulation, treating the blood for removal of fats from the blood, or in removing other substances from the blood. The treatment, insofar as it is used to cause the blood to resist coagulation, includes withdrawing calcium ions from the blood and replacing them with other ions in sufficiently small quantities that the amount of other substance that is added to the blood is not harmful, preferably by passing the blood through a bed of ion exchange polymeric resin material. Insofar as fats are moved from the blood, the treatment includes collecting blood from the patient and wicking fats from the blood by means of a hydrophobic lipophilic wick.

Abstract: A drain bag support assembly that is non-removably coupled to a diagnostic urology table, which allows attachment of a drain pan assembly without removal of the drain bag support assembly. The assembly utilizes a shock mechanism and a locking mechanism to allow the urologist to modify the length of the drain bag assembly to fit their particular needs.The shock mechanism provides for dynamically shortening the length of the assembly by exerting horizontal pressure, while retaining horizontal rigidity. The locking mechanism provides for fixing the assembly to a desired length. The assembly can be placed in a fully closed configuration and stored underneath the diagnostic urology table. The assembly may also be placed in an extended configuration whereby a drain pan may be attached.

Abstract: An improved four-legged distractor with multiplanar adjustability facilitates intervertebral bone grafting. The legs are slidably fixed to a rectangular frame so that the space between opposing legs and the space between adjacent legs may be varied. The bottom portion of each leg is offset so that a large space is created between the top portion of the legs to permit easy access to the operating space.

Abstract: A diaper, adhesive fastening tab which exhibits good peel, quick-stick, shear strength and aging when used with a diaper outer film, either with or without a low adhesion backside. The adhesive used with the fastening tab is based on a composition comprising a slightly aromatic containing aliphatic oil, a styrene/isoprene block copolymer and a solid C.sub.5 tackifying resin.

Abstract: A delivery system for a wound dressing comprising, an elastomeric film having a front surface, a back surface, an adhesive on the front surface, a first end margin, and a second opposed end margin, with the film having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the front surface. The system has a release sheet releasably attached to and covering the adhesive on the film. The system has a tab member secured to the back surface of the film adjacent to the first end margin. The system also has a support sheet releasably attached to the back surface of the film, with the support sheet having a first end margin located adjacent to the tab member and being free of attachment to the tab member, and a second end margin located adjacent to the second end margin of the film.