Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically positioning a milking cluster at a preselected milking position is provided. A milking cluster is connected to a moveable cylinder which may be retracted at the conclusion of milking. Prior to milking, the moveable cylinder shifts into engagement with a sensor at a location corresponding to the preselected milking position. The movement of the cylinder is halted to locate and maintain the milking cluster at a height predetermined to be generally appropriate for the animals in the herd. The cylinder is counterbalanced to remain at the preselected height, or may be manually adjusted and remain counterbalanced at the adjusted height. At the conclusion of milking, the milking cluster may drop from the animal and cylinder retracted to a retracted position. The apparatus of the invention includes an arm connected to a milking cluster and a moveable member such as a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A medical suction system comprising a medical suction canister used in draining bodily fluid from a patient, and a cleaning station for automatically draining and cleaning the suction canister and for automatically providing a visible indication that the canister has been cleaned.

Abstract: A male genitalia supporter has a posterior testicular strap portion extending from a waist band portion. The posterior testicular strap portion is designed to be positioned behind the scrotum and the testicles to provide support to the wearer's scrotal contents. The support is made of a generally unyielding material so that a constant, non-variable amount of support is provided to the wearer. A receptacle, made of an air-permeable and absorbent material, for accepting the male's genitalia is attached to the supporter.

Abstract: A device useful for collection of sperm from human males, preferably in a discreet and camouflaged manner. The device includes an outer shell having a generally tubular inside chamber and an exterior with the appearance of an ordinary device normally found in a public environment such as one having the appearance of a flashlight. The shell provides access to the chamber via at least one removable cap having an exterior appearance compatible with the ordinary device. The chamber is filled by an insert formed from an elastomeric gel having the general tactile feel of human flesh. One end of the insert has an opening simulating a body orifice. The insert includes a central passage sized to accommodate a human male sex organ in said opening while providing at least a cushioning amount of the elastomeric gel. A preferred insert includes radially extending high points for engagement with the chamber and radially extending low points for expansion of the central passage during use.

Abstract: An elastic film is provided with non-elastic regions and elastic regions formed from a multi-layer film of an elastomeric layer and relatively inelastic layers(s).

Abstract: Salts of hydroxy acids include functional groups capable of forming "hybrid" ionic bonds with fibers or particles and another functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond or "hybrid" ionic bond with the fibers when the binder forms a "hybrid" ionic bond with the particles or a hydrogen, coordinate covalent, or "hybrid" ionic bond with the particles when the binder forms a "hybrid" ionic bond with the fibers. Amino acids are also described as binders capable of forming "hybrid" ionic or ionic bonds between fibers and particles. Salts of bases, such as choline chloride are also described as being useful binders for attaching particles to fibers. The salts of bases form ionic bonds with either the particles or the fibers. Such binding systems provide viable alternatives to existing binding systems.

Abstract: A wireless neural prosthetic device for a primary auditory cortex of a patient includes either a speech processor or a stimulating device for receiving and processing information and a wireless electrode arranged in the primary auditory cortex having a plurality of electrical contacts. The electrode can be arranged in the patient's primary auditory cortex and each of the plurality of electrical contacts independently outputs electrical discharges in accordance with the processed electrical signals. The plurality of electrical contacts can be arranged to approximately tonotopically match the primary auditory cortex.

Abstract: An ostomy collecting system has a collecting bag having an inlet opening in a bag wall and surrounding connecting elements for connection with a stoma, and a carrier device for the collecting bag. Which is a base plate and a substantially annular first flange connected to the base plate via a first connecting section. The connecting elements comprise a substantially annular second flange, fixedly connected to the collecting bag via a substantially annular second connecting section. The two flanges are connected with the base plate and the collecting bag, respectively, in such a manner that the outer radius of said second connecting section exceeds the outer radius of said first connecting section by a value which at least equals the total thickness of the two flanges.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and graft system for aneurysm repair comprising a prosthetic graft with means to draw a distal extremity of the graft over a portion of an expandable anchoring member. Prior to deployment, the graft and the anchoring member do not overlap to reduce the outer diameter of the delivery system. Preferably, the drawing means comprises pull strands connected to the distal extremity of the graft so that the distal extremity of the graft may be pulled over a proximal portion of the anchoring member. Subsequent expansion of the anchoring member seals the overlapped graft against the vessel wall to minimize blood flow-by and secures the graft in the vessel. Securing means may be advanced up each pull strand to abut the anchoring member and further secure the graft to the anchoring member.The graft may also comprise means to guide a second expandable anchoring member to the proximal end of the graft.

Abstract: An ankle block prosthesis is provided having a lower foot plate and an upper ankle plate connected by a monolithic ankle block. The foot plate, ankle plate and ankle block are generally sized to fit within a surrounding cosmesis. The foot is configured such that during a walking or running stride the wearer experiences a smooth rollover or transition of compressive forces from a heel-strike position to a toe-off position so as to provide a natural feeling foot during walking or running activities.

Abstract: A delivery system for implantation of a medical device in a body lumen consists of an elongate flexible catheter for delivering the medical device a predetermined location in a lumen. The medical device surrounds the flexible catheter near its distal end and is held in a delivery configuration where the medical device has a reduced radius along its axial length by a storage sleeve. The storage sleeve surrounds the medical device. Where the catheter has an outer sleeve, the storage sleeve not only provides a means for retaining the medical device in its delivery configuration, but also protects the outer sleeve from creep during storage and/or elevated temperature conditions. The storage sleeve is removed from the system prior to use.

Abstract: A catheter system and method for achieving total cardiopulmonary bypass during heart surgery. A venous perfusion catheter is inserted peripherally into a preselected vein where it is advanced and positioned at the atrio-caval junction. The venous perfusion catheter has first and second balloons which when inflated respectively occlude the inferior and superior vena cava thereby precluding blood flow into the right atrium. An arterial perfusion catheter is inserted peripherally into a preselected arterial vessel and advanced within the vessel and positioned in the ascending aorta cephalid of the junction of the coronary arteries with the aortic root. A second flexible arterial cannula is mounted in sliding. relationship with the first flexible cannula and carries an inflatable balloon adjacent its distal end to provide for occlusion of the ascending aorta.

Abstract: Microfibrillar collagen and a superabsorbent polymer are combined in a hemostatic bandage which both absorbs blood and induces clotting.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent composition comprising a hydrogel-forming polymeric material and fiber bundles, wherein the absorbent composition exhibits desired absorbent properties. The absorbent composition is suitable for use in absorbent structures and disposable absorbent products. The absorbent composition comprises a hydrogel-forming polymeric material in an amount of from about 5 to about 95 weight percent, and fiber bundles in an amount of from about 5 to about 95 weight percent; wherein all weight percents are based upon the total weight of the hydrogel-forming polymeric material and the fiber bundles in the absorbent composition; and wherein the absorbent composition exhibits an Absorbency Under Load value that is at least about 10 percent greater than the Absorbency Under Load value exhibited by an otherwise substantially identical absorbent composition that does not comprise the fiber bundles.

Abstract: Elastic tapes consisting of non-weldable elastic warp threads and weldable thermoplastic weft threads, are fixed to one side of a cover layer of a disposable diaper by ultrasonic welding of the thermoplastic weft threads

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a front section, rear section, crotch portion, and a waist band. A soft padding is provided on the waist band. Padding is also provided on the edge portions surrounding the leg holes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have longitudinal side edge components that naturally wrap the sides of a wearer's panties which provide an alternative to conventional side flaps.

Abstract: An incontinence diaper system for providing an incontinence diaper with a drainage system to reduce urine excrement retention with the incontinence diaper. The incontinence diaper system includes a diaper having a drain aperture, an interior liner juxtaposed to the diaper having a funnel aperture into one side, a drain funnel secured within the funnel aperture to collect the urine absorbed by the interior liner, a tubing coupled to the drain funnel opposite of the funnel aperture, and a reservoir coupled to the tubing opposite of the drain funnel to store the collected urine which flows through the tubing. For males, an elongated tapering tube having a bulbous enlarged end for coupling to the penis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sanitary napkin or like absorbent article, such as a sanitary pantie or incontinence guard, comprising an absorbent body (8) which is enclosed between a fluid-permeable (15) and a fluid-impermeable casing sheet (17). According to the invention, the absorbent body (8) comprises a primary absorbent body (9) having the capacity to absorb all fluid discharged from a user over an intended article use period, and a secondary absorbent body (10) whose area is at least 50% larger than the area of the primary absorbent body.

Abstract: The disposable flexible pouch for collecting and filtering blood has two inner chambers separated from each other by a filtering screen (11), a first chamber being connected to the outside by an outlet opening for the filtered blood and a second chamber being connected to the outside by an inlet opening for the blood to be processed. The pouch is formed from two superposed walls (1, 2) made of a flexible plastic material and bonded together by welding of their respective peripheral edges (3). The inlet and the outlet openings for the blood, as well as an outlet opening (5) for the suction air provided with a bacterial filter, are all made in the same wall (2) forming the pouch and the filtering screen (11) having a lower surface at the surface of this same wall (2) cooperates with the inner face thereof to form several compartments communicating with one another and forming the second chamber, so that the retention volume is reduced.