Abstract: Apparatus and surgical procedures are provided for completely coagulating endometrial tissue of the uterus by means of heated liquid in the distended uterus under direct view of a thermally insulated hysteroscope or under indirect view fluoroscopically using a thermally insulated hysterographic cannula and a radiopaque heated liquid.

Abstract: A topsheet for use in body fluid absorptive articles is so improved that collapse and clogging of liquid passages therein may be reliably avoided. The topsheet includes an upper sheet, provided with skin-contacting areas and liquid passages, and a lower sheet provided with skin-non-contacting areas, areas welded to the liquid passages, and exposed areas. The exposed areas are welded to each of the liquid passages around lower openings thereof so as to protect the liquid passage against collapse and clogging. The exposed areas define a skin-contacting surface which rises up into each of the liquid passages without extending above the upper surface of the skin-contacting areas. The upper sheet cooperates with the lower sheet to define cavities extending in the direction of the topsheet thickness.

Abstract: An improved sanitary napkin comprising liquid barriers extending along laterally opposite sides of a napkin and provided with elastic members and wings extending outwardly from the liquid barriers, wherein the liquid barriers and the wings are branched from each other so that the liquid barriers are not pulled outward even when the wings are folded back onto the outer surface of a crotch zone of the user's underwear in order to fix the napkin thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorption body intended for an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel or an incontinence guard, and comprising an absorbent material, preferably cellulose fluff, which increases in quantity continuously from the edge margins of the article in towards the center part thereof. According to the invention, the absorption body is compressed to an essentially flat shape and exhibits a degree of compression which increases continuously from the edge margins towards the center part of the body. The invention also relates to a method of producing an essentially flat absorption body, the density of which increases continuously from the edge margins in towards the center part thereof.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a backsheet and a topsheet connected to form front and rear bodies. First and second elastic members are attached to the backsheet around first and second leg-openings thereof to so that the first elastic member provided around the first leg-opening further extends along a curved course into the front and rear bodies and terminates at one side edge of front and rear bodies. The second elastic member provided around the second leg-opening further extends along a curved course into the front and rear bodies and terminates at the other side edge of the front and rear bodies. The respective elastic members comprise a plurality of elastic threads extending in parallel with one another.

Abstract: A holder for a tampon having a withdrawing thread. The holder has a rigid, cylindrical sheath encasing the tampon. The sheath has a tampon expulsion opening, an expulsion end region, and another end region, respectively. The expulsion end region has a hole therethrough for accommodating and guiding the withdrawing thread. The hole is proximate to the expulsion opening. The another end region has more than one notch. The tampon is partially expulsed out of the sheath through the expulsion opening by pulling on the withdrawal thread.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin characterized by that there are provided adjacent transversely opposite side edges of a basic body a pair of elastically stretchable flaps in the form of straps and rising from a backsheet, adhesives being applied on top surface of said flaps so that said flaps may be adhesively fastened to the user's skin.

Abstract: A two piece garment for collecting bodily discharges is disclosed. The garment has a belt and a disposable assembly which are detachable and reattachable. The belt is intended to be reused, while the disposable assembly is intended to be discarded when soiled. The two components are attached to one another by hook and loop type fastening material, providing for adjustment to fit a wide range of wearer sizes.

Abstract: A hollow spike has a pointed distal end, a proximal end, and a luer fitting positioned in the proximal end of the spike to engage a complementary fitting associated with another IV component, e.g., an IV line. A reflex valve is disposed in the luer fitting to permit fluid flow through the spike when a complementary fitting is connected to the luer fitting of the spike, and to prevent fluid flow through the spike when no fitting is engaged with the fitting of the spike.

Abstract: A beam adapted for implantation within a bone is able to support bending and torsional loading forces applied thereto. The beam has a stiffness defined by a modulus elasticity, which stiffness varies along the length of the beam to match the corresponding stiffness of the cortical bone adjacent the beam after implantation within the bone. The beam is made from an elongated core formed of chopped carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. Encasing the core is a sheath formed of carbon reinforced filament fibers embedded in the thermoplastic polymer which is wound in spiral formation around the core and molded thereto. The winding angle and the sheath thickness along the beam may be varied to vary the modulus of elasticity to match that of the cortical bone adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Diffusional delivery devices are constructed in two or more compartments, each containing a separate drug or other beneficial agent, and each arranged to permit diffusion of the agent out of the device through an individually-characterized agent-permeable wall segment. The diffusion rates of the various agents relative to one another are set and controlled by the parameters of the individual wall segments, such as the surface area of the wall segment, the average thickness of the wall segment, and the permeability of the wall segment for the particular agent. The permeability may be varied by variations in the chemical composition of the wall segment. Using these parameters rather than blending the agents at calculated ratios in a single formulation for diffusion through a single wall permits a wider range of, and greater flexibility in, variation between the diffusion rates of the different agents. This is of value when the simultaneous administration of agents at a specified ratio is desired.

Abstract: A method of fusing together the adjacent vertebrae using the spinal implant includes removing at least a portion of the spinal disc between the adjacent vertebrae. The spinal implant is inserted between the adjacent vertebrae with the first and second parallel side surfaces facing the adjacent vertebrae. The spinal implant is rotated into a position in which the parallel side surfaces extend from one of the adjacent vertebrae to the other adjacent vertebrae and the upper and lower surfaces engage the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: The intravascular stent intended for implantation in a stenotic area or zone of obstruction of a blood vessel consists of a flat sheet which is perforated to form a kind of a reticulated or lattice type structure with undeformable links and made of malleable material. Said sheet is temporarily rolled up and locked in a spiral with a relatively small diameter (d) on a deflated angioplasty balloon mounted on the end of a catheter and is held in said rolled-up state by a tie laced into overlapping links. Once the device is in place in the restricted area of the blood vessel to be treated and after tie is removed, the rolled sheet is expanded to a desired diameter (D) by inflating balloon and is then held in this expanded state by integrated holding flaps which, after the balloon is deflated, extend through the links and engage the edges thereof under the pressure of the vessel.

Abstract: A radially expandable tubular prosthesis which allows for controlled expansion in a circumferential direction following implantation while limiting expansion in a longitudinal direction. The prosthesis is particularly suited to intraluminal implantation via a catheter and is also particularly suited for percutaneous implantation in children.

Abstract: A probe for use in collecting liquids entrained with a gaseous component, particularly collecting a patient's blood with entrained gas bubbles from a surgical site for autologous reinfusion. The probe separates the gaseous component from the collected liquid, particularly separating air bubbles from blood cells to inhibit hemolysis, platelet degradation and protein denaturation. An elongated probe body has a distal end to be inserted into the liquid to be collected through an inlet by jet pump action into a centrally disposed mixing chamber. A diffuser is formed within the probe body proximal to and in axial alignment with the inlet and mixing chamber leading to a liquid exit. A jet pump nozzle is formed in the probe distal tip surrounding the inlet in the form of an annular chamber into which pressurized drive fluid is introduced through a distribution channel system extending along the probe body from the proximal end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to disposable underpants including an underpant body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a longitudinal undercrotch portion, and front and rear end portions positioned at opposing ends of the longitudinal undercrotch portion and transverse thereto. A sanitary napkin member is positioned over the longitudinal undercrotch portion and extends substantially a length of the longitudinal undercrotch portion, the sanitary napkin including front, rear, and longitudinal edges. The sanitary napkin member is secured to the longitudinal undercrotch portion of the underpant body on the inner surface thereof and only along the rear and longitudinal edges of the sanitary napkin. An increased density of material is provided within the underpant body at the rear end portion thereof and coextensive with the longitudinal undercrotch portion, thus resisting tearing of the rear end portion during flexing of the disposable underpants.

Abstract: An improved device and process of assuring separation of an anticoagulant type fluid from a saline type fluid each of which is utilized in the process and operation of a plasmapheresis apparatus or the process of collecting donor blood, is disclosed. The improvement includes a cross-spike prevention receptacle which is dimensioned, and installed positionally in reference to a plasmapheresis or blood donor apparatus, to receive an anticoagulant fluid container to which a proper respective supply communication line will connect, and to exclude and not receive a saline fluid container or container holding a similiar type of fluid, whose fluid line will not reach and connect to the installed cross-spike prevention receptacle.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, adult incontinent pad, sanitary napkin, and the like, is disclosed which has a rapid acquiring, multiple layer absorbent core. The absorbent article may be in an improved shape that can be worn in the wearer's usual undergarments. The absorbent article of the present invention comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and a multiple layer absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The multiple layer absorbent core comprises at least one rapid acquiring acquisition/distribution layer and at least one storage layer positioned subjacent each acquisition layer. The acquisition/distribution layers have a fluid acquisition/distribution rate of at least about 2 cubic centimeters of synthetic urine per second when tested under a pressure of about 28 grams per square centimeter.

Abstract: An arrangement of a disposable diaper in which there are provided elastic members extending not only along opposite side edges of an opening formed in a skin-contacting topsheet but also further extending beyond longitudinally opposite ends of the opening substantially to longitudinally opposite ends of the skin-contacting topsheet so that the opening may sufficiently rise up together with the skin-contacting topsheet to assure reliable introduction of excretions through this opening into a pocket space defined between the skin-contacting topsheet and a separately provided topsheet underlying the skin-contacting topsheet.

Abstract: A multifunctional device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the multifunctional device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal. The multifunctional device is formed of an absorbent material, preferably expandable, having a substantially rigid dry state prior to introduction to the operative site and a soft, flexible wet state after absorbing fluids. The absorbent material can be formed with a spine therein of either a continuous or a discontinuous, segmented construction, and the spine can be branched and tubular or solid.