Abstract: The invention provides a biodegradable, flushable ostomy bag liner including: inner walls (3, 4) formed from polyvinylacetate/polyvinylalcohol film of a grade which disintegrates within 60 seconds in water at 50.degree. C., but retains its structural integrity in water at 25.degree. C. for at least two days; outer walls (1, 2) formed from a non-woven fabric which disintegrates in water at 25.degree. C.; structure defining an opening (8) in the inner and outer walls for receiving bodily waste from the stoma of a patient; and adhesive flange (7) for securing the ostomy bag liner to the body wall of a patient, the adhesive flange (7) being secured to at least an inner wall (1) of the liner and surrounding the said opening (8); wherein the inner and outer walls (1, 2, 3, 4) are unconnected and form an non-laminar arrangement over the greater part of their area, but are connected together around their peripheral margins (5) and in the region of the adhesive flange (7).

Abstract: The disclosure describes an absorbent core, free of wood pulp or other cellulosic materials. The core includes two thin outer layers, with at least one layer being porous and receptive to body liquids. A quantity of superabsorbent polymer particles of a particular type is provided between the outer layers and is loosely contained in individual unbonded open zones or flat closed pockets defined by a plurality of intersecting heat bond lines between the layers, with the lines defining a densified and a hot calendar-bonded fiber structure to provided wicking lines or flow zones between the pockets. The dry product is a flat, thin partial laminate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence garments, and feminine hygiene products. The present invention further relates to such absorbent articles having outer coverings designed to provide breathability and promote more healthy internal environmental conditions for the wearer. More specifically, the present invention provides an absorbent article comprising (a) a topsheet; (b) a backsheet; and (c) an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet; wherein the backsheet comprises a non-porous, substantially fluid impermeable, moisture vapor permeable composite sheet material. Preferably, the composite sheet material is oriented such that the film layer of the composite sheet material faces toward said absorbent core. Where the film layer of the composite sheet comprises a substantially hydrophilic elastomer film layer, the substantially hydrophilic elastomer film is preferably located in contact with the fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A garment (1) is disclosed for fixing a urine bag (2) on the leg (3) of a user. The garment includes a tubular part (6) having elastic bands (9, 10) at its ends, said bands fitting tightly around the leg (3) of the user. The tubular part is provided with an integrally formed pocket (11), the tubular part being formed by a dual layer knitted structure except in the area of the pocket (11). At the pocket bottom (13) there is an opening (14) for the discharge pipe (15) of the urine bag. The garment (1) is manufactured easily in endless webs, which are separated, and subsequently the two end edges (31, 32) are knitted together (33) in order to form the tubular shape. The garment provides safe fixing of the urine bag (2) as the latter will be supported inside the pocket (11) and be held against the leg of the user due to the elastic bands (9, 10), which are dimensioned so as to be able to carry a full urine bag.

Abstract: A device for measuring body fluid pressure, such as blood pressure, muscle compartment pressure, and spinal column pressure, is herein described. An invasive implement is inserted into a body area, and a fluid path extends from the body area into a fluid channel in the device. A valve is used to control the flow of fluid through the device and a pressure sensor is placed adjacent to the fluid channel, with the pressure sensor and/or a sealant gel forming a portion of the fluid channel. With the valve closed, pressure builds in the fluid channel and the pressure sensor detects the resulting pressure, and a pressure transducer and supporting electronics converts and communicates the pressure measurement. With this device the pressure sensor can detect pressure without contacting the fluid, so therefore a pressure can be taken with a minimum of fluid extraction. If fluid extraction is desired, the valve is opened and fluid flows from the body area to a fluid port where the fluid may be collected.

Abstract: A suprapubic fluid collection device contains leakage from an ostomy site. The device comprises an adhesive patch, a collection bag, and a urinary catheter. The adhesive patch has adhesive on one side for securing the patch around the ostomy site and a ring member projecting from the other side. The ring member circumscribes the ostomy site. The collection bag has a first opening and a channel member circumscribing the first opening and projecting from the exterior of the collection bag. The channel member of the collection bag mates with and secures the ring member of the adhesive patch. The collection bag has a second opening formed therein and a drainage spout communicating with the interior of the collection bag. The urinary catheter extends within the interior of the collection bag between the second opening and the first opening. The catheter has a distal end for insertion within a human bladder and a proximal end.

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 breathable diaper, feminine hygiene, or like disposable sanitary product construction includes a plurality of materials including, from the skin-facing side outwardly, a topsheet of liquid- and vapor-permeable hydrophilic material. A core of highly absorbent material is disposed outwardly of the topsheet for absorbing fluid received through the topsheet, the core having an inner surface in fluid communication with the topsheet. A backsheet is disposed at least partially as an outer surface of the construction and is formed of a pouch defined by two layers of a non-woven hydrophobic and vapor-permeable material, with absorbent or superabsorbent particles therebetween, so that the backsheet limits the outward escape of liquid therethrough while enabling the outward escape of heat and water vapor therethrough. Each backsheet layer is an at least two-layer spunbound-meltblown SM or an at least three-layer spunbond-meltblown-spunbond SMS.

Abstract: A fluid pervious topsheet suitable for use on an absorbent article is disclosed. The topsheet includes an apertured, three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious web having a textured wearer-contacting surface. The composite web permits liquids to penetrate while providing an improved, less plastic-like feel and visual aesthetics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a connector assembly onto a vial is disclosed. The connector assembly features a protective cap, a collar attachable to the rim of the vial, and a crimp cap for securing the collar to the rim. A vial access device is contained within the collar. One or more ribs are provided adjacent a distal portion of the collar to seal against the stopper obturating the vial. The collar is provided with one or more slits which render the collar flexible in directions radial and axial to the central axis of the vial to compensate for variations in tolerances or dimensions present in the various components. The crimp cap can be supplied preattached to the collar in an uncrimped condition.

Abstract: A disposable protective undergarment for sufferers of incontinence including an absorbent pad constructed of three layers including and liquid penetrable inner layer, an absorbent core and a liquid impervious outer layer. The pad further includes a pair of oppositely placed front panels attached to a back panel and further includes a waistband to secure the pad to the human body. The undergarment is open vertically along the front between the panels creating a pair of confronting edges. A further embodiment of the present invention may include a longitudinally extending slit approximately half-way up from the bottom edge of the back panel.

Abstract: Soft tissue implants can be constructed by forming an outer membrane into a closed pouch and filling material in that pouch. A composition for use as a filler material in such a soft tissue implant may include elastin and collagen. The filling material has collagen as a component thereof, and this collagen can be cross-linked or not cross-linked. Methods of making such implants are described.

Abstract: The cardiotomy inlet connectors of a hardshell venous reservoir are mounted on a turret which is rotatable about the vertical axis of the cover and is in communication with the cardiotomy filter defoamer chamber. The venous inlet connector in turn is mounted on the turret for rotation about the axis of the turret. An axial extension of the venous inlet connector fits sealingly into a venous duct which extends along the axis of the cardiotomy chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a cushioned absorbent material which may be used as a bodyside liner for a personal care product which is made from a lofty nonwoven fabric onto which is extruded a film to form a laminate. The laminate is then apertured and has an 8 cc intake rate of at most 20 sec and a rewet of less than 1 gm. Such a liner may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: A urine sampling device includes a urine collection vessel having an open end. A cap member seals the vessel open end. The cap member includes a vent to allow air displacement during fluid sampling. A connector element including a hollow piercing element is in fluid communication with the cap member. The urine sampling device is useable in combination with a urine drainage and collection device including a source tube having inlet and outlet ends for receiving and communicating urine. The source tube includes a pierceable connector for receiving the piercing element and is disposed between the source tube inlet and outlet ends. A fluid metering device including an inlet and an outlet is connected to the source tube outlet allowing gravitational fluid flow from the source tube into the metering device. A valve disposed between the pierceable connector and fluid metering device controls the gravitational fluid flow into the metering device.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material having elasticized portions includes supplying a web of temperature sensitive elastic material, applying a microwave sensitive material to selected regions of the elastic material and subsecting the composite material to microwave energy. The microwave energy may be converted into heat by the microwave sensitive material thereby heating the microwave sensitive material and activating regions of the temperature sensitive elastic material adjacent the microwave sensitive material. The activated regions of the elastic material provide the elasticized portions in the composite material. Alternatively, the microwave sensitive material may reflect the microwave energy which may then directly heat and activate the regions of the elastic material opposite the selected regions to which the microwave sensitive material is applied. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of garment-type articles such as disposable absorbent articles.

Abstract: Pulsatile blood flow in a heart-lung machine is accomplished by pumping blood into a bladder at a constant rate, and cyclically emptying the bladder into aortic line of the heart-lung machine either by means of the bladder's own elasticity or by a mechanical compression mechanism which can be programmed to simulate the human heartbeat.

Abstract: Stretchable leg cuffs are put around the legs of a wearer with little gap therebetween, whereby liquid leakage around the legs can be substantially prevented. Elastic bodies are extended on side flaps formed of a backsheet along lengths of the side flaps. Stretchable leg cuffs for encircling the legs of a wearer extend outwardly from the side edges of the side flaps along the lengths of the side flaps.

Abstract: A method for the removal of cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipids from animal plasma, serum or other suitable blood fractions, as a discontinuous flow system, the method comprising withdrawing blood from a subject, separating the required fraction from the blood and mixing with a solvent mixture which extracts the lipids from the fraction, after which the delipidated fraction is recombined with the blood cells and returned to the subject, wherein the solvent extraction step is carried out separately and remote from the subject. The delipidated fraction is washed with a second solvent before being recombined with the blood cells. To ensure that the delipidated fraction is free from all extraction solvent, the fraction is mixed with an absorbent specific for the solvent that is being removed. The preferred absorbent is a macroporous polymeric bead contained in the pores of a sintered glass or plastic sphere, the being capable of absorbing organic molecules from an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A multilayered absorbent feminine hygiene product which is configured for releasable attachment to a user's garment has a plurality of absorbent pads. Each of the absorbent pads has an absorbent layer to contain absorbed fluid and a barrier layer to prevent absorbed fluid from leaking completely through the individual pad. The first, lowermost pad in the product is configured for releasable attachment to a user's garment. Additional pads in the product are releasably attached above the first pad to form a stacked or layered product. The pads may be adhesively, thermally, compressively, or mechnically bonded. Preferably, the multilayered product includes three absorbent pads.