Abstract: For a diaper for a baby, a toddler, an old man, or the like, a device for informing a mother of the baby or the toddler or a person who looks after the user of the diaper that the diaper is wet and a sensor for use in the device are provided. A wet annunciator is comprised of: a wet sensor that forms electrostatic capacity between a pair of electrodes 3 and 4 adhesively formed so as to be slightly spaced apart from each other, such that the electrostatic capacity in the vicinity of the electrodes varies when the diaper gets wet; an oscillating device 11 for applying an alternating signal to the electrodes 3 and 4 of the wet sensor; a detector 13 for picking up a change of the electrostatic capacity between the pair of electrodes 3 and 4; and an alerting device such as a vibrator 15, a buzzer or the like, operative according to an output signal of the detector 13.

Abstract: Continuous, flexible demineralized bone is used as a support for growing cartilage tissue that may be used for implantation into a patient to replace defective of missing cartilage.

Abstract: A gasketless seal is formed between a flow tube in a venous reservoir and a rotatable connector telescoped into it, by forming on the connector one or more annular ribs of slightly larger diameter than the inner diameter. When the connector is inserted into the flow tube, the rib is partially crushed against the inner wall of the flow tube and forms a tight, rotatable seal with it.

Abstract: Methods of artificially lining a vessel, especially an artery, of a medical patient to address the existence of a flow-inhibiting atheroma and to significantly alleviate the probability of restenosis, and the resulting products.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has first and second coupling members. These can be held together by a springy flexible split locking ring. A plurality of tabs, arranged, e.g., symetrically, on the limbs of the locking ring can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by movement of the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The movement of the locking ring which causes withdrawal of the tabs may be a vertically upward movement of the ring, or a vertically downward movement. The movement of the locking ring which causes withdrawal of the tabs alternatively may be a deformation of the ring in opposed horizontal directions. Preferably, however, the movement of the locking ring which causes a withdrawal of the tabs is a rotational movement relative to the second coupling member.

Abstract: A incontinent brief moisture indicator is provided including a brief formed of a moisture absorbing material. The brief includes a top waist opening and pair leg openings. The brief has a front portion, a rear portion, and a crotch portion. Next provided is an elongated transparent sleeve with a front face, a rear face, a top closed end and a bottom open end. The transparent sleeve is coupled to the brief in a vertical orientation with the bottom end extending downwardly and terminating at the crotch portion. A moisture indicator strip is situated within the transparent sleeve such that a top end thereof is situated coincident with the top closed end of the transparent sleeve and a bottom end thereof extends through the bottom opening of the transparent sleeve and is situated in communication with the moisture absorbing material of the crotch portion of the brief. During use, the strip is adapted to change color upon the detection of moisture.

Abstract: Stick with cotton buds for hygienic use, which are disintegrable in water and rapidly biodegradable, manufactured from a thermoplastic material obtained from natural polymeric substances which are biodegradable and water soluble when in their thermoplastic state or from biodegradable, water soluble synthetic polymers.

Abstract: A valve for urine drainage applications has a valve housing for attachment to a urine receptacle and a valve member rotatable within the valve housing between an open position, in which liquid can flow from the receptacle along an angled path from the inlet to the outlet from the valve, and a closed position cutting off the liquid flow. The valve member can be rotated about an axis substantially normal to the direction of liquid outflow from the valve and a manually operable tab or handle is provided for rotating the valve member in the housing and is arranged to point in the direction of the outflow from the valve when the valve member is in the open position.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a method for generating a functional hybrid bioprosthesis. Tissue formed naturally of interstitial collagens is treated to kill native cells and remove potentially immunologically active soluble molecules. Then it may be treated sequentially with extracellular matrix adhesion factor, extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan, and growth factor appropriate to the cell type required to function within the matrix, and incubating the transplant tissue matrix with cells that are either allogeneic or autologous for the recipient thereby imparting to the matrix the characteristics of the cell type and tissue selected. Tissues with a variety of functional bioactivities can thus be formed in vitro prior to graft transplantation or implantation which will exhibit reduced or no stimulation of an immunological response in the recipient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent article which is configured to prevent drooping and to improve fit. The article comprises attachment means for attaching the article about the waist of a wearer such that attachment points are located on the sides of the article and behind a transverse center plane of the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent article, such as diaper, an incontinence protector or the like. In order to prevent urine from being mixed with faeces in the rear area of the article, an essentially liquid impermeable membrane is laid between an inner cover layer and an absorbent layer laying outside of it. The article has an opening to a pocket lying outside the membrane to make possible transport of urine from a front wetting area of the article to a rear area of the absorbent body which lies outside the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent core capable of absorbing discharged aqueous body fluids, said absorbent core comprising:(1) an upper fluid acquisition/distribution component capable of receiving aqueous fluids, the fluid acquisition/distribution components being positioned in the fluid discharge region of the absorbent core;(2) at least one upper fluid storage component positioned at least partially underneath and in fluid communication with the upper fluid acquisition/distribution component(s), the upper fluid storage component being capable of expanding in the z-direction when contacted with aqueous body fluids to form a fluid acquisition zone;(3) a fluid acquisition zone capable of receiving aqueous body fluids, the fluid acquistion zone being at least partially surrounded by said a least one upper fluid storage component(s);(4) a lower fluid acquisition/distribution component capable of acquiring and transporting aqueous body fluids being positioned at least partially underneath and in fluid commun

Abstract: A surgical site chemical dispensing system for dispensing a liquid chemical agent, such as an antibiotic, anesthetic, growth factor, hormone, anti-neoplastic agent, or the like, directly onto a site of a surgical procedure. The system includes at least one bladder formed from a pair of thin sections of a flexible material to have an internal cavity that connects to an open tube wherethrough the liquid chemical agent is passed, under pressure, into the bladder. The liquid chemical agent passes, as a low volume flow, through at least one hole formed through a bladder section of material and onto the surgical procedure site. The invention includes a fixation device that includes at least one hollow pin for passing a volume of the liquid chemical agent therethrough directly into or onto a bone proximate to a fracture therein.

Abstract: This invention provides absorbent products, having a permeable cover made of a microperforated fibrillated thermoplastic film that has improved properties such as intimate, but nonoccluding contact with the body, yet providing comfort and resilience and immediate fluid acceptance and distribution. The cover is characterized by having non perforate regions and perforate regions, the perforate regions having a plurality of microholes defined by a network of fiberlike elements, the perforate regions being, at least in part, at elevations that are higher than the nonperforate regions. The perforate regions are caused to be at higher elevations by methods such as tensioning the cover or by partly adhering the cover to the absorbent body of the product or by combinations thereof. The microholes may be of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A surgical site chemical dispensing system for dispensing a liquid chemical agent, such as an antibiotic, anesthetic, growth factor, hormone, anti-neoplastic agent, or the like, directly onto a site of a surgical procedure. The system includes at least one bladder formed from a pair of thin sections of a flexible material to have an internal cavity that connects to an open tube wherethrough the liquid chemical agent is passed, under pressure, into the bladder. The liquid chemical agent passes, as a low volume flow, through at least one hole formed through a bladder section of material and onto the surgical procedure site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles comprising a gas bubble (6) to raise the body facing surface (2) of the article towards the wearer especially in the area of liquid discharge. The gas bubble (6) is filled with gas such that it yields to external pressures in order to maintain a comfortable fit of the absorbent article.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads are disclosed that have undergarment covering components (or "side wrapping elements") that extend from the main body portion of the absorbent article and automatically fold along the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side wrapping elements have at least one zone of extensibility and a region therein that is stiffer and less extensible than the zone of extensibility. The absorbent article preferably comprises at least three regions with different bending moduli to control the location of the absorbent article about which the side wrapping elements will bend.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device according to the present invention has a fluid delivery device body and an electrochemical cell portion for generating a gas when supplied with a DC current. The fluid delivery device body has a partition member transformable by the pressure of a gas, and a gas introduction portion. A first compartment and a second compartment are formed in the fluid delivery device body by the partition member, and a gas generated in the electrochemical cell portion is introduced into the second compartment through the gas introduction portion. A transformable fluid reservoir having a fluid delivery portion is disposed in the first compartment. If the gas generated in the electrochemical cell portion is introduced into the second compartment, the inner pressure of the second compartment increases, and the partition member is pushed, so that a fluid in the fluid reservoir disposed in the first compartment is delivered from the fluid delivery portion.

Abstract: Absorbent devices, and more particularly absorbent devices that are worn interlabially by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, that have a emollient composition on their body-contacting surface are disclosed. The interlabial device has a body-contacting surface that is pre-moistened or pre-treated with an emollient to prevent drying of the wearer's labial tissue and to reduce friction of the structure against the wearer's labial tissue. The absorbent device is preferably capable of maintaining contact with the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia majora when worn. The emollient composition comprises a plastic or fluid emollient such as mineral oil, petrolatum and/or polysiloxane, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or wax to immobilize the emollient on the body-contacting surface of the device, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability of the coated surface.

Abstract: The distensible annuloplasy ring which may be enlarged, in situ, by application of dilatory pressure by way of a balloon or other dilating apparatus. The distensible annuloplasy ring of the invention is usable in pediatric patients whose growth, subsequent to surgical implantation of the ring, will necessitate subsequent enlargement of the ring to accommodate growth of the annulus. The invention includes a transluminal and/or transeptal method for post-implantation enlargement of the annuloplasty ring via catheter.