Abstract: A compartmentalized full face mask having a flexible sealing flange around the periphery thereof for sealing the body of the mask against a diver's face. The body of the mask has an upper facially oriented opening for receipt of a viewing lens, and a lower opening for receipt of an accessory plate. The lens and accessory plate are secured in the face mask by a band which circumscribes the outer periphery of the body of the face mask for tightly holding the viewing lens and accessory plate in a groove in the body of the mask.The lens and accessory plate partially define an upper and lower chamber with a nose portion and a sealing flange dividing them. The sealing flange provides a lower chamber which can be utilized with accessories of various types in a manner not possible in the prior art. The lower chamber also serves to enhance the underwater sound transmission capabilities of the mask.

Abstract: Disclosed are enterostomy applicance assemblies employing a collection pouch element, a flexible sealing band element and an abdominal wall-contacting gasket element including an apertured gasket back wall portion which is relatively convex and flexible and a gasket front wall surface which is relatively planar and rigid and which is provided with a relatively rigid outwardly-extending frustoconical flange member. The flange member and the gasket front wall portion establish a continuous groove with two adjacent sealing surfaces at acute angles to each other for fluid-tight attachment of the pouch to the gasket with the sealing band.

Abstract: A disposable multi-layer diaper of high absorptive capacity is provided which comprises as a first layer, a porous facing web to be brought into contact with an infant's skin. A second layer, in juxtaposition to the facing layer, is a highly porous, loosely compacted cellulosic batt having greater wettability than that of the facing web. The batt is slightly narrower than the facing layer to provide exposed side portions of the facing layer outwardly of the side edges of the batt. A third layer, integral with the second, is a continuous, paper-like, densified, higly compacted layer of the same cellulosic material as the second layer but of substantially smaller average pore size. The third layer is thickened in selected areas to provide an increased volumetric flow capacity for rapidly drawing fluid away from an initially wetted area and directing it to areas of the densified layer remote from the wetted area.

Abstract: A finger splint includes means for applying and maintaining a light, positive traction to the end of the splinted finger.

Abstract: An oral appliance for persons who have suffered facial burns to prevent shrinkage of the tissues around the mouth and lips during the healing process (microstomia). The appliance is adjustable to fit the patient's mouth and can be enlarged to progressively widen the opening of the mouth if shrinkage has already occurred. It may be employed to prevent shrinkage of the mouth and the lips by other causes (scleroderma, etc.).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing the bladder of a patient with an indwelling catheter. The method comprises introducing the tip of a prefilled bladder washing device into the catheter, expelling the liquid from the device to the bladder, latching the device in its compressed position, maintaining the liquid in the bladder a predetermined amount of time and then unlatching the device, withdrawing the previously introduced liquid thereinto, and disposing of the device. Asepsis is assured by the present method. The apparatus has guiding and expansion and contraction means associated therewith as well as latching means that do not interfere with the operation of the device yet assures secure latching in the compressed position.

Abstract: A thumb operated balling gun for discharging a bolus within the throat of an aminal is disclosed. A plunger, responsive to the movement of an operator's thumb, is axially slidable within a barrel having a plurality of resilient arms extending therefrom. The resilient arms, in combination with the barrel, are particularly configured to avoid damaging the delicate tissues within the mouth and the throat of the animal. A collar, circumscribing the plunger and contacting the interior surface of the resilient arms on retraction of the plunger forces the resilient arms to open and permit insertion of a bolus within the grasp of the arms. After insertion of the bolus, slight extension of the plunger disassociates the collar from the arms, whereby the latter close upon the bolus and retain it in place. Further extension of the plunger ejects the bolus from within the grasp of the arms and into the throat of the animal.

Abstract: Local body heat sensing instrumentation comprisesA. a probe including a tip having a surface shaped for application in heat transfer proximity with a patient's body, the tip consisting of material characterized as electrically insulative and heat conductive, andB. electrically energizable means carried to detect heat transfer between said surface and the source via said material.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a drainage bag for the human body especially usable for patients who have undergone a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy or the like. The bag has a cloth backing, a special contour to fit the body and enable it to be supported by standard type of underwear having elastic leg bands, and an unobstructed reclosable opening for easy draining.

Abstract: An adjustable antiptosis corset for human beings, to support viscera in general and to correct falling stomachs and the like in particular, comprising a resilient fabric to cover part of the rear and sides of the trunk of the bearer; the portion covering the rear is resilient in a vertical direction and the portions covering the sides are resilient in a horizontal direction, and a non-resilient ventral pocket member having a top access opening, said pocket member being connectable through adjustable self-fastening tapes to said side portions and which pocket member is provided with spaced-apart upstanding diverging whale-bone-like reinforcing members and separate parallel whale-bone-like reinforcing members, crossing said diverging whale-bone-like reinforcing members, and an unwrinkable, tapered cushion member having a thicker base portion, insertable in such pocket member, with said thicker base portion located on the bottom of said pocket member.

Abstract: The linear flow rate of a liquid containing dissolved oxygen, such as blood, can be determined by means of an electrode assembly having exposed to the liquid a relatively large polarographically active cathode and spaced therefrom a reference anode. With an applied energizing voltage of about 0.4-0.9 volts a current plateau is reached which is proportional to fluid flow rate. As the device is also sensitive to oxygen content, compensation can be measured by providing on the assembly an oxygen sensing membrane covered polarographic electrode pair of the Clark type.