Abstract: An absorbent product containing sphagnum moss selected from the group of botanical sections consisting of PALUSTRIA, ACUTIFOLIA, RIGIDA, SUBSECUNDA and CUSPIDATA. The invention also extends to a novel method for manufacturing a highly absorbent structure and to a method for evaluating the liquid absorbent properties of a sphagnum moss composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pump provided with a control module and an attachable fluid reservoir cassette. The control module includes a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid from the fluid reservoir to the patient. The cassette is provided with appropriate indicia to identify differences between a plurality of cassettes. The control module further includes cassette indicia identification structure for identifying indicia on the cassette. One type of cassette identification system includes a projection extending from the cassette and structure associated with the control module which engages the projection. Another type of cassette identification system includes a light reflecting system which utilizes light from the control module and reflected off the cassette. Still other types of cassette identification systems utilize other non-contact switches or sensors to sense indicia on the cassette to identify the cassette from a plurality of cassettes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pump provided with a control module and an attachable fluid reservoir cassette. The control module includes a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid from the fluid reservoir to the patient. The cassette is provided with appropriate indicia to identify differences between a plurality of cassettes. The control module further includes cassette indicia identification structure for identifying indicia on the cassette. One type of cassette identification system includes a projection extending from the cassette and structure associated with the control module which engages the projection. Another type of cassette identification system includes a light reflecting system which utilizes light from the control module and reflected off the cassette. Still other types of cassette identification systems utilize other non-contact switches or sensors to sense indicia on the cassette to identify the cassette from a plurality of cassettes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. During enteral tube feeding the nutritional product passes through a formulation chamber, e.g., a drip chamber, having located therein at least one controlled release dosage form unit containing at least one beneficial agent. The beneficial agent may be selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents or mixtures thereof, and any such together with a physiologically acceptable marker dye in controlled release dosage form and/or the same or different additional beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form. Controlled release dosage forms may be of a conventional sustained release type or an osmotically driven delivery device.

Abstract: A cotton swab is described whose stick is formed from an elongate stem with a conical member at each end flared outwardly and having a hollow center. The hollow flared conical members provide expanded swab ends rendering the tips softer and larger yet employing less cotton and paper in its manufacture. A die-cut paper used for forming the swab stick and a manufacturing process are also described.

Abstract: A containment and disposal system for human bodily fluids includes a bag and a holster that allows a user to quickly and easily remove and replace the bag. The bag includes an envelope having a hollow interior, an opening for receiving the bodily fluids from a catheter via a one-way valve, and hydrophilic material within the bag that rapidly gels bodily fluids in the bag upon contact. Prior to and during gellation, the one-way valve inhibits escape of the bodily fluids. The gellation sequesters the bodily fluids, and the gelled material further facilitates closure of the one-way valve. The hydrophilic material may include a polymer that is activated upon contact with the bodily fluids.

Abstract: A spring-loaded reciprocable stylet holder assembly includes a cap; a hollow body element partially nested within and reciprocable a major part of its length into the cap; a spring urging the body element outwardly of the cap; and a stylet supported at one end by the cap and extending through and beyond the body element. The remote end of the body element has a small borehole through which the stylet extends. The remote end is also provided with attachment means for a hypodermic needle with slotted tip for T-fastener emplacement, the needle telescopically surrounding the full length of the stylet. In a useful modification of the device an insufflation adapter having a side port for attachment of a hypodermic syringe is placed in line between the body element and the hypodermic needle. The stylet holder assembly with a slotted hypodermic needle attached thereto may be used for emplacing a T-fastener in a hollow organ of a person, such as the stomach.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid-imbibing dispensing device for the initially delayed delivery of an active agent to a fluid environment of use and to a method of using the dispensing device. The dispenser comprises a housing having a first wall section and a second wall section in reversibly sliding telescopic arrangement with each other, which housing maintains its integrity in the environment of use; an internal compartment surrounded and defined by the housing; at least one active agent formulation in the compartment; and expansion means and a push plate in the compartment for separating apart the first and second wall sections of the housing after exposure to the environment of use to expose the active agent formulation to the environment of use.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply thereof, such as a hangable container, to a feeding tube delivering the liquid enteral nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The apparatus has at least one formulation chamber, such as a drip chamber, with at least one controlled release dosage form unit in the form of a coated tablet, osmotically driven device, coated capsule, microencapsulated microspheres, agglomerated molecular sieving type material, or a quantity of fine hollow permeable fibers located therein. The controlled release dosage form unit or units contain at least one beneficial agent selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents or mixtures thereof, to any of which a physiologically acceptable marker dye in controlled release dosage form and/or the same or different beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form may be added.

Abstract: A spring-loaded reciprocable stylet holder assembly includes a cap; a hollow body element partially nested within and reciprocable a major part of its length into the cap; a spring urging the body element outwardly of the cap; and a stylet supported at one end by the cap and extending through and beyond the body element. The remote end of the body element has a small borehole through which the stylet extends. The remote end is also provided with attachment means for a hypodermic needle with slotted tip for T-fastener emplacement, the needle telescopically surrounding the full length of the stylet. In a useful modification of the device an insufflation adapter having a side port for attachment of a hypodermic syringe is placed in line between the body element and the hypodermic needle. The stylet holder assembly with a slotted hypodermic needle attached thereto may be used for emplacing a T-fastener in a hollow organ of a person, such as the stomach.

Abstract: A syringe for administering medicines, pharmaceuticals, and other liquid or semi-liquid materials includes a movable scale which is automatically reset to a zero position after a preselected dosage of material has been discharged from the syringe. The scale is adjustable for selecting subsequent dosages to be discharged, which may be the same or different in quantity from the previously discharged dosage. The automatic zero reset feature of the scale enables a user to administer multiple dosages of material from the same syringe, and vary the quantity of each dosage if desired, without the need to make calculations or adjust the scale to compensate for either the quantity of material previously discharged from the syringe or the quantity of material currently remaining in the syringe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a shank having a proximal end and a distal end, a connector at the proximal end of the shank for connecting the shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy, and an enlarged head at the distal end of the shank. The probe head has a width, in a first direction, substantially larger than an outer diameter of the shank at the distal end thereof. In addition, the head has a thickness, in a second direction essentially orthogonal with respect to the first direction, substantially equal to the outer diameter of the shank. Accordingly, the probe head is flattened, for facilitating the removal of fat in accordance with the present invention. In most applications, the shank is provided with a longitudinally extending channel, while the head may be provided with a pair of inlet bores communicating with the channel and extending at substantial angles to the channel on substantially opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an improved internal reinforcement strip comprising a paper (i.e., cellulosic) material. The disposable absorbent article has an adhesive tape fastening system preferably comprising tape tabs disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge and a landing member for refastenably adhering to the tape tabs. The landing member consists of a portion of the external surface of the backsheet. An internal reinforcement strip comprising a paper material is positioned so as to correspond with at least the landing zone. The reinforcement strip is joined to the internal surface of the backsheet. The use of paper for the material of the reinforcement strip provides a low cost yet effective reinforcement of the landing zone and an excellent substrate for printing of indicia that will aid in proper positioning of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A conformable absorbent article has a topsheet that is designed to substantially fully contact the body of the wearer to provide improved performance in managing and containing body wastes. Management and containment of body wastes are improved by several structural elements that can be utilized individually or collectively. Some of these elements are a waste-containment pocket formed between the topsheet and backsheet, an opening in the topsheet for receiving body wastes therethrough, a pair of containment flaps and a pair of side flaps, and an expandable backsheet to retain body wastes therein.

Abstract: A composite material for wound dressings having a fibrous wound-contacting substrate, such as cotton gauze, impregnated with a thermoplastic hydrogel forming polymer and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have a unique elastic waist feature that improves the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. 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.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article has laterally opposed side margins, a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion, and an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article comprises a backsheet layer, and an absorbent retention portion superposed on the backsheet layer. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is superposed on the retention portion to sandwich the retention portion between the topsheet and backsheet layers. A leg elastic connects to each of the side margins of the article to provide elasticized, gathered leg openings. A liquid permeable surge management portion is located adjacent a major facing surface of the topsheet layer. The surge management portion has laterally opposed side edge regions thereof, longitudinally opposed end sections thereof, and an intermediate section which interconnects the end sections. An contracting mechanism is incorporated into the surge management portion, and is constructed to operate separately from the leg elastics.

Abstract: A substitute catheter tip (10) is disclosed, for attachment to a catheter shaft (30) to form a urethral catheter. The substitute tip is curved and has a rolled over collar (16) at one end which has a layer of adhesive (26) applied thereto. The rolled over collar can be unrolled to fit over a catheter shaft and adhesively bond to the catheter shaft forming a catheter.

Abstract: A system for cleansing a patient's ear is disclosed. This system contains a control unit, a portable applicator, and a means for modifying the flow of fluid from the device when temperature or pressure limits are exceeded. The control unit contains a heater and control means for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within certain limits, for limiting the pressure of the liquid, and for varying the flow rate of the liquid. The portable applicator contains a handpiece, a nozzle which is connected to the fluid source and is mounted on the handpiece, and a means for providing a signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.