Abstract: A medical dressing for treating open chest injuries, or other injuries that compromise or could possibly compromise the pleural space of the chest cavity. Specifically, a medical dressing used by first responders to treat an open pneumothorax, treat and/or prevent a tension pneumothorax from developing, remove the accumulated blood of a hemothorax or re-inflating a collapsed lung without invasive procedures and in some instances act as a conduit for treating a tension pneumothorax or a collapsed lung with invasive procedures.

Abstract: A urine collecting assembly installable on an incontinent male, the assembly including a normally-flat urostomy pouch having a lateral inlet adjacent its upper end bordered by a circular belt-adapter flange, whereby the pouch may be strapped onto the hips or waist of an incontinent male whose penis then projects toward the inlet. The pouch is combined with a complementary circular fixture which is fitted over the penis and then snapped onto the flange of the pouch. Mounted on the fixture is an open-ended short condom, the rear end of which is stretched and attached to the fixture, the open front end of the condom then snugly engaging the shaft of the penis from whose head urine is discharged into the pouch through its inlet. The condom functions as a sealing membrane to prevent urine backup so that the incontinent male is not soiled by his own urine.

Abstract: In a fluid conduit connecting device for medical purposes a housing and a connecting member, being connectable to the housing, carry cooperating sealing surfaces. For the purpose of protecting the sealing surfaces of the connecting member these surfaces are covered by protective surfaces of a protective member prior to the connection of the connecting member to the housing. Protective member is arranged to uncover the sealing surfaces when the connection into the housing takes place. The device is suitable particularly for connecting the blood stream of a patient to an external conduit and allows continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin or tampon is disclosed, wherein the absorbent material comprises grains and the absorbent layer is biodegradable. The invention also discloses a process of making the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method for surgical correction of vascular occlusions involving replacement of the affected portion of the vessel with a vascular autotransplant grown in the patient's tissues around the modelled preform from a magnetic alloy which speeds up killing, reduces the risk of thromboses, infection and rejection and forestalls the development of the destructive processes in the wall of the autotransplant.

Abstract: The invention and the corresponding method of fracture stabilization provided is a malleable medication-containing device that is capable of both stabilizing fracture fragments and delivering medicines directly to fracture fragments when wrapped around or affixed to fractured tissues. This invention is designed to be used in conjunction with rigid fixation devices when rigid fixation is required of the major fragments. The novel device is comprised of two layers affixed to each other by chemical or mechanical means: a flexible, minimally-porous biologically-compatible fabric and a flexible biologically-compatible microporous polymer into which desired medications have been embedded. The preferred method of employment is to wrap the device around a fracture with the medication side in; and tighten it until the desired tension is achieved, thereby holding native fracture fragments in register.

Abstract: An absorbent product having a backsheet, a liner sheet overlying the backsheet, and at least a pair of elongate absorbent pads mounted between the backsheet and liner sheet. The pads are disposed in an initial position with marginal side edge portions thereof disposed in a first overlap relationship and they are mounted in the product for shifting laterally relative to each other to vary the extent of overlap between the pads.

Abstract: A unitary disposable garment, such as disposable training pants, having a high degree of stretch in the cross-machine direction and fitting a broad range of wearer sizes. The unitary disposable garment is manufactured from a chassis and has a waist opening, two leg openings and a pair of side seams which join the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis. The unitary disposable garment preferably has an absorbent assembly, i.e. an absorbent insert, secured to the inner layer of the chassis. The chassis from which the unitary disposable garment is manufactured, has four elasticized ear flaps; each ear flap is elasticized by securing an elastomeric element thereto and mechanically stretching the ear flap and the elastomeric element such that the ear flap is elastically extensible in the direction of initial stretching. The front portion of the chassis is then joined to the rear portion of the chassis on each side of the disposable garment by a seam.

Abstract: A protective incontinence hygiene pad of laminate construction for catheter patients who have urinary and bowel incontinence. The pad includes at least one peripheral notched area that premits a catheter tube to pass therethrough with sealable areas around the notch so that the device can be sealed to prevent the escape of both liquid and solid materials from the pad while it is being worn by the user. The notch has an adhesive tab or tape proximate its peripheral edges that secures the catheter within the notch, which helps stabilize the catheter in position while retaining the seal around the pad between the skin of the wearer and the pad.

Abstract: A diaper or absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent between the topsheet and backsheet, and an elevating device for spacing the topsheet above the absorbent to form a pocket-like shape. The topsheet can have an opening and the absorbent can have a hole therein, both of which receive and isolate waste material from the wearer.

Abstract: A suction catheter assembly has an aspirating catheter that is enclosed along its length within a protective sleeve. The catheter extends from a vacuum connecting member, which can be connected to a suction source, and a patient connecting member which has a coupling for connection to a tracheal tube and two side ports for connection to ventilation equipment. A one-way valve in the patient connecting member forms a sliding seal with the catheter and allows trapped gas in the sleeve to escape into the patient connecting member when the catheter is advanced.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a trocar/cannula assembly through a wall of an anatomical cavity of a patient, the apparatus including a housing for holding a trocar/cannula assembly, a spine having a longitudinal axis, the spine having proximal and terminal ends, the housing coupled to the spine for movement along said axis, holding means on the housing for holding a trocar/cannula assembly, and drive means coupled to said housing and spine for driving said housing axially on said spine toward said terminal end thereby moving said housing from an initial position to a final position, whereby the trocar/cannula assembly carried by said housing is moved axially along said spine.

Abstract: A volume sensor is described for automating an extracorporeal system used for the recovery and concentration of salvaged blood. The system includes a disposable plastic reservoir in which blood is collected from the surgical site and stored for processing. Volume is sensed in one embodiment by a strain gage device which is sensitive to vertical forces. In another embodiment volume is sensed by measuring the transit time of an ultrasonic pulse-echo signal generated by piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A medical device molded from a highly safe resin composition prepared by blending a vinyl chloride-based resin, a dialkyl malate, and a stabilizer is provided. The resin composition of the invention has physical properties equivalent to conventional resin compositions having blended therein a phthalate as the plasticizing agent, but is safer and has a higher blood storability. The medical devide may most preferably be a blood bag system.

Abstract: A disposable urine bag having sealed cavity members where one cavity stores an extendable catheter and also acts as a urine storage reservoir. A second sealed and peel-away cavity includes a catheter advancement mechanism which provides for lubricated catheter advancement without actual contact of the catheter by the human hand. An absorption member is provided to semi-solidify urine stored in the urine storage reservoir.

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: 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 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: The penetration depth of an intraluminal device, such as a transesophageal probe or a vascular catheter, is monitored by totalizing incremental advancement and withdrawal of the device over time. For a first embodiment, the devices are provided with axially spaced-apart markings along at least a portion of their lengths. The penetration depth of such intraluminal devices into a body lumen is monitored by detecting passage of the markings past a fixed location relative to the body lumen. Usually, the markings will be optically detected in a manner which permits forward and retrograde motion to be distinguished. Thus, the net totalization of the markers will correspond to the actual penetration distance in real time. In an alternate embodiment, the incremental advancement and withdrawal may be followed by use of a contact roller. In either case, the distance can be displayed by itself or in combination with a real time image, with the distance and image optionally being recorded.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of the lacrimal duct in which both ends of a thinner and softer tube or rod 0.5-0.7 mm OD and 20-40 mm in length are connected with thicker and harder tubes (0.9-1.2 mm OD and 15-50 mm in length), resulting in a total length of 50-120 mm. Both ends (2 mm) are sealed by silicone to make the closed end and then formed sharp pointed in conical shape.