Abstract: A disposable diaper has a pair of hooked fastener components to detachably connect front and rear waist regions of the diaper. The hooked fastener components are bonded to transversely opposite sides, respectively, of the diaper rear waist region and are covered at transversely opposite side edges and/or vertically opposite end edges thereof with soft protective sheets, respectively, to prevent the wearer's skin from being irritated by the hooked fastener components.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a generally thin, flexible sanitary napkin with a topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core is provided. The absorbent article has a means for directional fluid distribution such as a fluid directing strip positioned between the topsheet and absorbent core, and an absorbent strip positioned between the topsheet and fluid directing strip. The relationships between the sizes of the fluid directing strip and the absorbent strip are such that the width of the fluid directing strip is greater than that of the absorbent strip and the length of the absorbent strip in greater than that of the fluid directing strip, so that bodily exudates may be directed toward the ends of the absorbent core even when the sanitary napkin assumes a body-conforming shape or is otherwise distorted during use.

Abstract: A highly absorbent, flexible and resilient sheet comprising a non-defiberized cellulosic pulp board containing effective amounts of debonding agent and cross-linked cellulosic fibers, well-suited for use as an absorbent component of a disposable, absorbent product such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, an incontinence pad, an adult brief, a wound dressing and the like. The invention also extends to a method for manufacturing the fluid-absorbent sheet, to a disposable absorbent product utilizing the fluid-absorbent sheet and to a method for enhancing the resilience, fluid-absorbency and flexibility of a non-defiberized cellulosic pulp board.

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: An absorbent structure in an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, tampon, panty protector, incontinence guard, diaper and the like, which is produced by including in the absorbent structure a polymeric foam having cells which were initially essentially closed and which has been worked so as to open said cells, and the structure has obtained liquid take up properties. The foam has a density between 0.01-0.5 g/cm.sup.3. The material has porperties which are effective in achieving the function for which the product is intended. The foam may be formed as a sheet and the sheet can be made very thin and light, with a surface weight of between 10-500 g/m.sup.2, and the article will therefore exhibit good comfort properties to the wearer and requires only a small amount of material for its manufacture.

Abstract: An osmotic device is disclosed comprising an exterior coat comprising an estrogenic and a progestogenic steroid that are delivered immediately as a contraceptive pair for fertility regulation in a female, and a compartment comprising an estrogenic steroid that is delivered at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time for fertility regulation in a female.

Abstract: An irrigation tubing kit adaptable to reversibly attach to a faucet, a hose or a tubing comprises a flexible conduit having at one end of the conduit a coupling member in continuity with a filter member in continuity with a flow-regulating valve with variably adjustable aperture and dial, a semi-rigid tubing extension member for admission of chemicals and medications which is regulated by another flow-regulating valve with variably adjustable aperture and dial, a semi-rigid bypass port extension member, a disperser member at the end of the conduit, and a separate reservoir means of storing chemicals and medications adaptable to reversibly attach to the semi-rigid tubing extension member for the delivery of chemicals and medications into the conduit of the irrigation tubing kit.

Abstract: A multifunctional material is provided for use in personal care products. The multifunctional material has a permeability between 100 and 10000 Darcys and a capillary tension between about 2 and 15 cm. Structures containing this multifunctional material can have a runoff rate of less than 25 ml per 100 ml insult, over its life. The multifunctional material should have between about 30 and 75 weight percent of a slow rate superabsorbent, between 25 and 70 weight percent of pulp and from a positive amount up to about 10 percent of a binder component. The material preferably has a density between about 0.05 and 0.5 g/cc. The material has a liquid pass through function which desorbs a surge material across time frames consistent with user conditions and releases the liquid for distribution to remote storage locations. The material, when combined with the intake and distribution materials, defines a composite structure for use in personal care products.

Abstract: An ostomy bag cover for an ostomy bag of the type having an inlet, a connecting member for connecting the inlet in communication with a stoma on a wearer's body and a closable outlet at the bottom of the ostomy bag for emptying the contents therefrom. The cover is in the form of a hollow body and includes a ribbed aperture formed therein adapted to be disposed in close tolerance with the inlet of the ostomy bag and to receive the connecting member therethrough. Said ribbed aperture provides an improved fit of the ostomy bag cover in relation to the ostomy bag inlet thereby providing the wearer with greater comfort by reduced contact of the wearer's skin with the ostomy bag, the connecting member, or the ostomy inlet. A second aperture is formed in the bottom of the hollow body between spaced side portions thereof and is adapted to be disposed in proximity with the outlet of the ostomy bag. A releasable fastener is mounted on the space sides for releasably closing the second aperture in the hollow body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article including a containment assembly having a topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has longitudinal edges and end edges. A containment cuff extends along each longitudinal edge of the absorbent core. The containment cuff includes a resilient member, an outerwrap covering the resilient member, and a stem portion for securing the containment cuff to the containment assembly. The resilient member has a height and a cross-sectional area. The resilient member is formed from a material that will recover at least about 80% of its original volume after it is compressed about 20% of its original volume. The stem portion has a first edge, a second edge, and a height as measured from its first edge to its second edge. The first edge of the stem portion is secured to the containment assembly inboard of the longitudinal edge of the absorbent core.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to film-nonwoven laminates incorporating stretch-thinned, breathable films onto which a pattern or network of adhesive areas is applied to improve durability and strength of the stretch-thinned film. The present invention has applicability in a wide variety of areas where strength, comfort, liquid impermeability and breathability are needed or desired, including without limitation, personal care absorbent articles, articles of clothing, roll goods and health care-related items.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has a first coupling member and a second coupling member. These are mutually interengageable and surround a region which includes a stomal orifice. A springy resilient ring encircles the two coupling members and has a handle member which can be manipulated to cause the ring to be deformed such that radially-inwardly extending tabs on the ring are shifted between respective first positions in which the ring is undeformed and the tabs lock the two coupling members together and respective second positions in which the ring is deformed in such a way as to shift the tabs radially outwardly to positions where they permit separation of the two coupling parts. The ring has a portion which joins the ends of two limbs of the ring, said portion being readily deformable and optionally sufficiently elastic such that the limb ends are pulled towards each other by the elasticity of said portion.

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: A filter arrangement for a bag (1), in particular an ostomy bag with a vent (5), comprising a filter holder (7) fastened to the wall of the bag at the vent and having a through hole forming a passage from the interior of the bag to the surroundings, and a replaceable filter insert (8) designed for positioning in said hole. For position fixing of the filter insert in a use position, the filter holder has both means (13) for engagement with corresponding means (14) on the filter insert where the engagement means are designed such that upon positioning in the use position, the filter insert is prevented from being withdrawn from the filter holder, and within said engagement means has an elastically resilient clamping member (15) which in use position forms a sealing around the filter insert, but allows that this is pushed from the outside through the hole of the filter holder into the bag.

Abstract: A Spinal Fluid Collection System comprising means to prevent complete withdrawal of a needle stylet, means to dispose of needles and needle stylets and means to collect fluid samples provides for limited exposure to spinal fluid samples and to needle sticks from spinal tap needles and stylets during and after the performance of a spinal tap.

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: A parenteral fluid delivery bag having a line set formed integral with the bag, the line set being peelably releasable from the remainder of the bag so as to assume a deployed position adapted to enter into fluid communication with a patient. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of bags connected by an integrally formed wye-junction are adapted for delivery to a patient and retrieval of fluid from a patient.

Abstract: An device for administering eyedrops from an eyedrop container to an eye of a user, comprising an eyeglass frame and eyedrop guide wherein the eyedrop guide is attached to the eyeglass frame and is variably adjustable over the user's eye for facilitating dispersement of an eyedrop. A level indicator or alarm is used to determine when the guide or the eyedrop container is ideally positioned for eyedrop administration.

Abstract: Disposable device for recovery, and if appropriate analysis, of a body fluid, said device comprising:a relatively rigid conduit element directly in contact with the inner wall of an elongate intra-corporeal cavity, having an open end or neck, and a closed end or base, and the outer surface of which is biocompatible with the inner wall of said intracorporeal cavity;a collection means for collecting the body fluid, mounted or integrated inside the conduit element, facing the neck of the conduit element, at an outlet, facing the base of the conduit element;a nonreturn means for the body fluid which has been collected, closing the outlet of the collection means of the conduit element, in the direction counter to that of collection.

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 50, 60 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 70. A plurality of tabs 71 symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 70, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by an upward pull on the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The ring 70 is generally circular in its unstressed condition.