Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder infusion pump which may be used for delivering a pharmaceutically active material to a patient at a substantially constant flow rate. A unitary internal stress member or mandrel is disposed within the bladder, prestressing the bladder in both the axial and radial dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus for substantially simultaneously applying a plurality of two-part absorbable surgical fasteners to body tissue which includes biasing means to pivot the fastener holder into a final open position to release the body tissue. The biasing means is operable only after the fasteners have been applied.

Abstract: A new method for administration of pharmacological solutions into the nasal cavity whereby the patient's head is being bent forward 55.degree.-90.degree. from an upright position as well as a device for use in the administration. The method makes it possible to irrigate or treat the whole or nearly the whole mucous membrane in the nasal cavity with solutions or suspensions without any risk for their reaching the digestive tract through the pharynx.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fluid secretions from a patient's upper airway includes a power driven suction generator connected to one end of a flexible tube and a nozzle removably connected to the other end of the tube. The nozzle is constructed to be manually positioned and maintained in an operative position adjacent oropharynx and nasopharynx openings and is proportioned relative to such openings to permit not more than minimal insertion of the nozzle through such openings. In one embodiment the nozzle is constructed of rigid material and is adapted to be utilized as a nozzle for a manually operated nose syringe. In another embodiment the nozzle is constructed of relatively soft rubber-like material and is essentially of the same gradually tapered shape as the nozzle portion of a manually operated ear syringe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intravenous needle protector which comprises a housing with a body and a terminating surface, at least one opening is in the body at the terminating surface for passage of the tubing which extends from the intravenous needle. The terminating surface extends from the body for the attachment of tape. The tape may be a part of the terminating surface or applied to that surface as well as to a person's body to hold the housing over the area of the intravenous needle injection. The body includes recedable retention means for retaining the needle. The body is preferably an oblong shape and has thin walls. The protector of the present invention is preferably produced as a plastic injected molded product out of such plastics as polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene or other plastic materials such as polycarbonates.

Abstract: An adjustable diaper for babies is provided with a pair of VELCRO tapes on the front flap and a strip of cloth to alternately cover one side of the flap for shielding the babies skin from the VELCRO tape.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a cellulosic membrane about 5 to 50 .mu.m thick prepared by casting a film from solution of a cellulose derivative in a suitable solution and these formed into a packet which encapsulates an osmotic promoter, particularly sodium chloride, sugar or other suitable compound, preferably having a molecular weight below about 500. The packet is capable of taking up at least 0.001 g/cm.sup.2 /min of water and retaining it against an external pressure of at least 0.689 kPa.

Abstract: A water closet-disposable container is disclosed, the container having a wall comprising a backing layer, an inwardly-presented water-impermeable layer and an outer wall formed of a material having characteristics similar to those of the backing layer. The container is formed by sealing together juxtaposed marginal edge portions of the water impermeable layer, and the projecting marginal edge portions of the backing layer and the outer wall.

Abstract: A disposable article, such as a disposable diaper, is provided. The article has a fastening means comprising a film substrate having a target strip and a fastening tape. The target strip comprises a backing film having a first pressure-sensitive adhesive on one face thereof adhered to the film substrate and on the other face thereof a hydrophobic polyvinyl carbamate release coating. The fastening tape has a second pressure-sensitive adhesive on one face thereof for adhesion to the target strip. The target strip release coating has been subjected to ionizing plasma treatment such that the fastening tape has an increase in adhesion to the target strip of at least about 50% over an untreated target strip and which increased adhesion does not decrease more than 60% after storage at about 50.degree. C. for 15 days.

Abstract: There is provided an adhesive closure tab with release surfaces adjacent adhesive surfaces by coating a continuous region of a tape backing with a soluble low adhesion backsize composition, drying, then solvent zone coating an adhesive on at least one strip of said tape backing previously coated with the low adhesion backsize thereby slightly dissolving said backsize so as to promote adherence of said adhesive to said backsize.

Abstract: An aspirator, a suction device for removing body fluids, is disclosed. It includes two elongated tubes: one having a tapered end for insertion into body cavities via the nose or mouth for communication with body fluids; the other elongated tube having a mouthpiece, for mouth actuation, or a squeeze-bulb, for hand actuation. The free ends of the aforementioned elongated tubes are connected to a combination isolation and liquid-collection chamber. The chamber includes an elastic impregnable barrier against the transfer of potentially infective agents between patient and user. The chamber is constructed for venting gas and vapor components from the body fluid, as well as collecting the liquid component. For mouth actuation, the user holds the mouthpiece between his or her teeth while inserting the tapered end into the body cavity from which fluid is to be extracted.

Abstract: A one-piece bag connector for an ileostomy bag, colostomy bag or the like comprises an annular body portion, lip portion and a belt attachment. The body portion is adapted to surround a stoma of a user and the lip portion is connectable to a bag such that material may be discharged from the stoma to the bag without leakage. The body portion is made of resilient material and directly contacts the user thus avoiding the use of any gels or adhesive materials. The belt attachment connects a belt to the body portion such that a slight pressure is exerted against the user. This pressure plus the resilient nature of the body portion assures a proper seal between the user and the bag connector. Further, an easily attachable/detachable snap or screw connection is provided between the lip portion and the bag to assure a proper seal as well as convenience and ease in changing and/or removing the bag.

Abstract: A device and method for the treatment of foot afflictions using an aqueous solution of ozone comprising container means into which a person inserts at least one foot to be treated and for holding a liquid such as water to be circulated in the device, pump means for circulating a solution of liquid and ozone in the device, production means to permit the transfer of ozone to the container means, controller means for regulating the production of ozone from the ozone production means, dispersion means for dispersing the ozone in the liquid, and leakage protection means to decrease the amount of ozone-containing gas from escaping from the device.

Abstract: A device is provided for deliberately distributing simultaneously over the entire vertical and/or longitudinal extend of a body of aqueous containing liquid a gelation agent for the rapid containment of contaminated aqueous liquids. The device is an elongated rigid or semi-rigid body for containing an envelope or package of material immediately dissolvable in the aqueous liquids, and which contains the gelling agent prior to liquid exposure. The device includes means for exposure of its content to the liquid, once the device is positioned in or is surrounded by the liquid. The invention contemplates a conventional suction canister having the device positioned therein for receiving contaminated body fluids.

Abstract: A one wall of a plastic urine bag is extended as a broad sheet terminating in a rolled-over belt loop. The belt loop is threaded by a fabric belt, which is secured about a patient's waist, permitting the urine bag to hang in the area of the patient's leg. The fabric belt has Velcro.RTM. "loops" entirely upon its surface and is fastened by a tab of Velcro.RTM. "hooks". The catheter is taped to the broad sheet. A lower port of the urine bag has a valve for gravity drainage of collected fluids. The unitary urine bag and support harness in combination with the belt is low cost, sanitary, comfortable for patient use, easy of assembly, tamper resistant, and entirely disposable.

Abstract: The urinary catheter is insertable into the urinary bladder of a human male through the penis and uretha for the withdrawal of urine from the urinary bladder. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular flexible element having a pair of end portions, with the first end portion constituting the leading and of the catheter which is introduced into the urinary bladder. One or more openings are provided in the first end portion for delivering urine from the urinary bladder into the tubular flexible element. The other end portion of the tubular flexible element constitutes the trailing end of the catheter and is not insertable into the penis. Valve means are provided in the other end portion for opening and closing the tubular element to permit withdrawal of urine from the tubular element or collection of urine within the tubular element. A support strap is provided for the tubular element.

Abstract: Disposable diapers provided with breathable leg cuffs. Disposable diapers comprise a topsheet, an absorbent element, and a backsheet. The leg cut of a disposable diaper is that part of the diaper which fits about the wearer's leg. Extensions of the backsheet can be used to form cuffs which are frequently elasticized. In the present invention the cuffs are formed of a material which allows passage of vapor ("breathes") while tending to retard the passage of liquid. Apertured thermoplastic films are examples of such materials. Certain advantages accrue in cuffs which are permeable to vapor in their distal portions and impermeable in the portions adjacent the absorbent element. If the disposable diaper has a breathable backsheet, the cuffs are constructed to be more permeable to vapor per unit area in their breathable portions than is the backsheet.

Abstract: The durable and reusable incontinent underpads of the invention are 4-layer fabrics, incorporating a first layer of woven or knit fabric, a second layer of non-woven felt, a third layer of polyurethane film, and a fourth layer of woven or knit fabric. The first and second layers are quilted together--as by stitching, or otherwise--to form a fluid absorbing portion for the underpad. The third and fourth layers are laminated together with a urethane adhesive to form a leakage preventing portion for the pad. The second and third layers are also laminated together with the urethene adhesive to complete the underpad constructions.

Abstract: A male external catheter urine collection system and sheath therefor. The sheath is suspended from a belt worn by a user and receives the user's penis through an open upper end portion thereof that has an inwardly rolled-over peripheral edge. Urine in the sheath is discharged to an outlet tube through a discharge opening in a tapered lower end portion of the sheath. A coil spring associated with the outlet tube prevents the outlet tube from kinking shut during use. A discharge tube connects to the outlet tube and carries the discharged urine to a collection bag strapped to the lower leg of the user.

Abstract: A drainage device comprising, a urine receptacle having walls define a chamber, an elastic tubular section having a lumen communicating with the chamber and a distal opening, and a device for simultaneously closing the lumen and covering the distal opening, and for simultaneously opening the lumen and uncovering the distal opening.