Abstract: A tampon applicator assembly has a barrel with a fingergrip. The fingergrip has one or more flared portions and/or one or more rib-like or ring-like gripping structures. A tampon applicator fingergrip includes one or more flared portions having a flare angle between about 139° and about 156° and a curve represented by an equation range of y=16.127x3?1.5061x2+0.0568x+0.0001 to y=6.9136x3?0.5598x2+0.0168x+0.0003, where y is an incremental increase in a height of the curve at a distance along a length of the curve.

Abstract: A system for applying suction to a wound is provided, including a suction source for providing suction to a conduit operatively associated with the wound to communicate suction to the wound, a vent in fluid communication with the conduit to provide a reference airflow into the conduit when the system is in operation, such that a loss of suction at the wound is indicated by deviation from the reference airflow, and a waste collector canister between the wound and the suction source for collecting liquids aspirated from the wound, wherein the canister includes one or more disks containing gelling agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to suppress vacuum surges in a surgical aspiration system is disclosed and claimed. A vacuum surge suppressor includes a first fluid path for coupling to a surgical instrument, and a filter attached to the first fluid path. A flow restrictor is coupled to the filter with the filter disposed upstream of the flow restrictor. The filter defines a filter longitudinal axis that may be oriented vertically with respect to gravity, so that a downstream direction at the filter is upwards. The vacuum surge suppressor also includes a second fluid path for coupling to a vacuum pump. The second fluid path is connected to the flow restrictor and disposed downstream of the flow restrictor. A third fluid path is coupled to the filter and is connected to the second fluid path, bypassing the flow restrictor. A valve in the third fluid path selectively obstructs or permits flow in the third fluid path.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating an eye that include coupling a suction ring to the eye and introducing a liquid into an interior chamber of a container element coupled to the suction ring. The container element is also coupled to a focusing lens of a laser system such that only the liquid within the interior chamber is positioned between the focusing lens of the laser system and an outer surface of the eye. In some embodiments, the suction ring has a first suction region that is designed to suck the suction ring onto an eye and a second suction region that is designed to couple the suction ring to the container element.

Abstract: An eye drop bottle holder with resilient legs includes an inverted U-shaped member made from resilient injection molded plastic. The top portion of the inverted U-shaped member includes an eye drop bottle holder. The right and left leg of the U-shape each terminate in an outwardly disposed J-shape covered by a soft rubber-like pad. The user can attach an eye drop bottle to the inverted U-shaped member so that the dispensing tip of the bottle is in close proximity the user's eye. The user can cause his or her eye lid to remain open by squeezing the right and left legs together, then placing the pads on the upper and lower eye orbit, then releasing the legs causing the flesh of the user's eyelids to be spread apart. In a preferred embodiment, an electro-mechanical assembly can automatically press on the side wall of the bottle to cause a predetermined amount of solution to be dispensed. An LED light flashes (is either activated or deactivated) to show the user that a dispensing event has taken place.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The absorbent article has a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels formed at least in the central region. The traversal distance of the pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels decreases towards both ends of the channels to define a central closed area. The absorbent article has a rear channel defining a rear closed area in the rear end region. The absorbent core is profiled within the central closed area so that the central region has a caliper that is greater than the caliper of the outside of the central closed area.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for enclosing and providing reduced pressure treatment to a portion of a body of a patient. The reduced pressure treatment appliance may be used to treat wounds and other conditions, such as lymphedema, varicose veins, venous insufficiency and stasis, and other infirmities. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an enclosure that encloses the portion of the body to be treated for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the enclosed portion of the body. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the portion of the body to be treated in the volume under the enclosure. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means.

Abstract: Controlled expansion of an intravaginal device can be achieved by selectively attaching either a primary or secondary cover to the primary absorbent device having a fluid storage element. We can determine that certain portions of the tampon will expand while other portions will be restricted to substantially the compressed structure. The primary cover can be attached to the primary absorbent device either before or after the absorbent device is compressed into final tampon form. The compression may be in the axial or radial direction or a combination of both directions. The secondary cover, if used, can be attached after the tampon pledget has been compressed into the final tampon form.

Abstract: A catamenial device. The device has a topsheet having a body facing surface, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core having three zones differing in stiffness, at least one of the zones including laterally-oriented portions where material from the core has been removed, the portions defining slots.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. The invention also includes methods and apparatus useful in the production of an intravaginal device.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising a chassis which includes a front region having two opposing longitudinal edges; a back region having two opposing longitudinal edges; a crotch region having two longitudinal edges wherein said crotch region is disposed between said front and back regions; and at least two side panels extending outwardly from the two opposing longitudinal edges of one or both of the front or back regions and interconnecting said front and the back regions to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings; wherein the article exhibits a pre-application side panel length, Li, and a post-application side panel length, Lf, such that Li is less than Lf.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and is in fluid communication with at least one fluid transport element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate has a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element.

Abstract: A preferential bend structure may have a first face and an opposing second face. The preferential bend structure may include at least a base layer and an auxiliary layer, wherein a first deforming force applied to the first face results in a first deflection and a second deforming force applied to the second face results in a second deflection which is equal to the first deflection, and wherein the second deforming force is not equal to the first deforming force.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure canisters and methods for recycling are disclosed. In one instance, a method for performing multiple reduced pressure treatments on one or more patients includes providing a reduced-pressure treatment system that includes a first canister body, a fluid reservoir, and one or more modules, such as a pump control module. The method involves using the reduced-pressure system and then removing one or more modules and placing the one or more modules in fitted shipping receptacle that disallows shipping of the fluid reservoir. The one or more modules may be reconditioned and coupled to a second canister body. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a temporary tattoo, appliqué or decal and a method of using the tattoo on a patient to identify on that patient a selected operative site, wherein said operation is identified by name on said decal and wherein the accuracy of site selection may be endorsed by the patient and the responsible operator directly on the selected site in such a manner that the endorsement indicia remain legible after the decal is eradicated.

Abstract: A urine collection bag holder including a fabric strip having a hip portion and a leg portion depending therefrom and a pouch removably attached to the leg portion wherein the pouch receives a urine collection bag therein, in order to conceal the urine collection bag beneath a user's clothes. A belt that slidingly engages a continuous belt opening within the hip portion and a pair of leg straps secure the device to a user. A plurality of slits and a tube opening disposed in the leg portion receive and guide a cathether tube therethrough to connect with an upper receptacle.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and is in fluid communication with at least one fluid transport element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate has a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element.

Abstract: A waste management system includes a waste transport device and a waste collection device. The waste transport device includes a collection member with a distal end opening having a first cross-sectional area and a proximal end opening having a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area, and a retention cuff disposed about an outer surface of the collection member. The waste collection device includes a substantially opaque collection bag with a transparent section.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an embodiment wherein a disposable wearable absorbent article comprises an absorbent core and a side with a side anchoring subsystem. The side anchoring subsystem is configured to indirectly anchor the absorbent core to a wearer of the article. The side includes a first portion, in which substantially all of the side anchoring subsystem is integral with the side, and a second portion, outside of the first portion.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene article for external use having on their body-facing surface at least one embossed wavy pattern and at least one non-embossed, preferably colored, wavy pattern. The embossed and non-embossed wavy patterns are chosen with specific geometric parameters so that a slight lateral or longitudinal shift does not affect the overall appearance of the body-facing surface.