Abstract: A padding and medicating device for the human foot comprising a sheet structure, preferably of an elastic fabric material and partially coated on one surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive, in combination with a pad of viscoelastic gelatinous material impregnated onto a portion of the same surface of the sheet structure as the pressure sensitive adhesive. The pad of viscoelastic gelatinous material is preferably made with an oleaginous plasticizer such as Mineral Oil USP, and may contain one or more pharmacologically active agents. The sheet structure is oil impervious or a separating layer of material impervious to the oleaginous plasticizer is incorporated on either surface of the sheet structure adjacent to the area of the sheet structure to be impregnated with the viscoelastic gelatinous material to prevent the oleaginous plasticizer from bleeding onto the sock or shoe of the wearer.

Abstract: A series of implants for intraocular and/or intraorbital use are provided which permit the controlled release of pharmacological agents. The implants are substantial C-shaped rings and are insertable through incisions made in the eye wall or are sutured around the globe of the eye. The C-shaped rings may be formed from the biodegradable polymers so as to release a drug as the polymer biodegrades or the implant may be in the form of a hollow flexible polymeric cocoon with the drug disposed therewithin for slow release by osmosis.

Abstract: A hydrophilic sebum collecting device including a strip of hydrophilic open celled microporous polymeric film.Also provided is a method for the quantification of sebum in a patch of skin by applying a hydrophilic open celled microporous polymeric film to the patch of skin such that the film is retained in sebum collecting contact therewith. The film is retained in sebum collecting contact for a period of about 5 to 30 seconds and at a predetermined pressure. The film is eventually removed from the patch of skin and placed over a scaled background such that the amount of sebum collected by the film can be determined by comparison with the scaled background.

Abstract: A one piece plastic drain pan (24) is mounted to an examination end (14) of a urology table (10). The pan includes an integrally constructed vertical inner end wall (28), a sloping outer end wall (34), a pair or opposite side walls (30), (32), and a bottom wall (36) through which a drain port (38) is defined. The plastic material, particularly in the side walls has sufficient plastic memory that as a physician leans against the outer end wall (34), the side walls bow outward compressing the end walls toward each other. When the pressing force is removed, the end walls return themselves to the non-flexed position and the end walls move apart. Plates (50, 52) clamp the inner end wall (28) of the plastic drain pan securely therebetween. The plates have flanges (54) which are received in mating slots (56) in the examination end (14) of the urology table. A folding screen arrangement (60) provides a convenient storage surface for examination tools and separates stones, tissue, and the like from drained fluids.

Abstract: Here are disclosed disposable garments such as a diaper having adhesive areas on top- and/or backsheet(s) along leg-openings. Each of the adhesive areas is defined by a plurality of spiral adhesive traces. The stretchable elastic means are bonded to the top- and/or backsheet(s) along the adhesive areas, respectively.

Abstract: An artificial breast consists of a soft-elastic dish-shaped plastic body (1) which is symmetrical with respect to a symmetry plane (SE) passing through its tip (3). It has a lateral extension (5) and also a pair of further extensions (6, 7) which lie opposite each other and are arranged on either side of the symmetry plane (SE). The distance (L.sub.2) of the ends (6a, 7a) of the further extensions (6, 7) from the symmetry plane (SE) is smaller than the distance (L.sub.1) of the end (5a) of the lateral extension (5) from the Z axis which lies in the symmetry plane (SE) and passes through the tip (3). When the artificial breast is worn in a brassiere the lower extension (7) is pushed upwardly by the supporting force of the brassiere and the softness of the prosthesis material while the upper extension (6) remains undeformed. The artificial breast can be worn optionally on the right or left body side.

Abstract: The astigmatic power for a toric intraocular lens which corrects the preoperative astigmatism of a patient due to a disease or the like can be determined by converting preoperative corneal astigmatic data to the intraocular lens astigmatic power. Furthermore, the intraocular lens power for a toric intraocular lens which corrects the preoperative corneal astigmatism of a patient due to a disease or the like can be determined by calculating the intraocular lens spherical and astigmatic powers from radius-of-corneal-curvature data or corneal refractive power data in the strong principal meridian direction and radius-of-corneal-curvature data or corneal refractive power data in the weak principal meridian direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring performance of a skeletal muscle powered cardiac assist system. A chronically implantable temperature sensor is imbedded within the skeletal muscle. Muscle contraction and performance can be monitored by intramuscular temperature measurement. The temperature measurements are used by the implantable pulse generator of the cardiac assist system to maximize efficiency in the use of the skeletal muscle by optimizing timing of conditioning, maintenance, and stimulation pulses.

Abstract: Total heart prosthesis including a casing implantable in the pericardial cavity, the geometry of which is similar to that of the natural heart, with a motor device inside the casing which essentially includes two membranes, one of which works during the elongation stroke within a space defining the right ventricle and the other of which works during the deformation stroke within a space defining the left ventricle. Blood bags are enclosed within the right and left ventricular spaces adapted to be connected to vessels of the circulatory system of a patient. The membrane of the right ventricle and a support associated therewith are mounted within the prosthesis casing such that the movement of the membrane during the elongation stroke (systole) is broken down into two phases, one of which is a displacement without elongation and the other, only, is accompanied with an elongation.

Abstract: Absorbent products, such as sanitary napkins are provided which include pocket means disposed on an undergarment-facing side of a central absorbent element. The products further include tab means extending laterally from one of the longitudinally extending sides of the absorbent element for a distance greater than about a width of the absorbent element and sized to be partially inserted into the pocket means after being wrapped around the crotch area of the undergarment for aiding in securing the sanitary napkin to an undergarment.

Abstract: The vertebrae implant has a stabilizing element which is articulated to a pair of bone screws so as to accommodate skew positions of the bone screws relative to each other. A slotted clamp is provided to secure the stabilizing element to each bone screw. In addition, each clamp is disposed between a shoulder having a spherical surface and a clamping nut. A washer is also disposed between the clamping nut and the clamp. The clamping nut and/or washer is provided with a spherical surface to provide for pivoting of the clamp relative to the bone screw prior to tightening of the clamping nut.

Abstract: A fine-needle aspirator for collecting a biosample from a subject into a closed sterile system. The aspirator is adapted for use with a variety of needles and comprises a motor driven pump capable of continuous suction in a biosample collection system. The biosample collection system may comprise a biosample connector such as elastomeric tubing in communication with the needle and a collection space in a biosample container whereby a biosample collected by the needle may be transferred to the collection space. A flushing substance flushes the biosample through the biosample collection system. Additives may be added to the biosample after collection in order to treat, preserve or analyze the biosample.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis includes a rotatably mounted, disc-shaped valve flap which is provided with two outwardly oriented, convex attachments disposed opposite one another at the points of intersection of a secant with the edge of the disc. The valve also includes an annular body having on its interior wall first recesses for receiving the convex attachments to thus form a bearing socket for the valve flap. At its interior wall, the annular body is provided with second recesses which communicate with the first recesses to form a passage for the convex attachments during insertion thereof into the first recesses.

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 artificial cardiac valve made of biocompatible material comprises an alar valve body and a flap pivotally lodged inside the valve body and possessing linking elements for cooperating with guiding and restraining means provided on an internal side wall of the annular valve body. The flap consists of a disc folded along an axis XX' parallel to one of its diameters through an angle between 0 and 30 degrees in such a way that opening of the valve is effected in two consecutive phases. The first phase corresponds to a rotation of the flap about the contact and hinging point A between a rear part of the flap and a lower edge of the side wall of the valve body until said linking elements abut against the guiding and restraining means. The second phase corresponds to a rotation of about an axis ZZ' parallel to the axis XX' until the rear part of the flap is parallel to the axis YY' of the annular body.

Abstract: A prosthetic grafting method for vascular bypass surgery is disclosed wherein a section of a blood vessel which is non-functional is excised and restored for use as a blood vessel. At least one cuff is severed from the restored excised section and sutured to an end of a prosthetic graft. Alternatively, the cuff may be severed from another suitable donor vessel. The cuff and the graft are then attached to blood vessels downstream and upstream, respectively, of the now removed excised section to form a new flow passage around the formerly non-functional section.

Abstract: The thickness of the obturator (3) increases gradually from the central region (C.sub.9 C.sub.10) towards the ends (P.sub.9, P.sub.10) of the edge (6) nearest to the axis of articulation (5) to the prosthesis, and decreases gradually or is constant from that edge to the other end edge (7) which forms the outer edge of the obturator.

Abstract: A suction bottle for aspirating would secretions containing a small quantity of a pressure-adjusting liquid selected so that its vapor pressure conforms to a desired vacuum level. The vacuum level is maintained until the suction bottle is almost completely filled. If the liquid dissolves in the aspirated secretions, the vacuum level will decrease. The vacuum level can be varied by changing the temperature. The bottled can be made with thinner walls than bottles used heretofore because the risk of deformation during sterilizing is reduced as the inside pressure rises with the increase in temperature. For the purpose of connecting a suction bottle with a connecting tube joined with a wound draining system, provision is made for a connection system embodied as a suction controlling device.

Abstract: A tonometer divides internally incident light at the applanating surface of a prism so that light incident in the applanation area is refracted into the eye and light incident around the applanation area is internally reflected within the prism. Infrared light is preferred for this, and the amount of the reflected light is detected to provide an objective indication of the size of the area that is applanated. This allows intraocular pressure to be determined objectively from the force difference applied to the prism to change the applanation area between reference and measurement sizes, both of which are reliably determined from previous calibration for the amount of the reflected light. Many variations are possible in applying a variable force to the applanating prism and on operating the instrument with the preferred microprocessor, which can also store, display, and manipulate relevant patient data.

Abstract: A mechanical artificial heart valve is provided and consists of an annular shaped orifice, to which a single (or multiple) bicurved leaflet(s) is (are) hinged. The curves are planar and are generated from two intersecting circular arcs. The valve is constructed to cause a predominately accelerating flow through the orifice. This significantly reduces the flow separation from the leaflets. In addition, the leaflets are shaped so as to reduce the closing reflux volume through the orifice during the regurgitation phase of flow. These improvements tend to significantly decrease the work load on the heart.