Abstract: A cotton applicator is disclosed as including a support rod and a cotton pledget disposed on an end thereof with the pledget having forward and rearward sections; the rearward section is about twice the diameter of the forward section with an annular shoulder therebetween whereby the forward section is limited in its penetration into an ear canal by the annular shoulder and the rearward section. The support rod axially extends through the rearward section and partially into the forward section whereby adequate support is provided for each section.

Abstract: A biodegradable tampon applicator comprising a molded, flexible, polymeric hollow cylindrical body for enclosing a tampon therein and having a first open end through which said tampon is expelled and a second open end for receiving means for expelling said tampon, said body comprising a moldable poly 3-hydroxybutyric acid composition.

Abstract: This invention concerns a disposable single dose syringe type applicator in the form of an elongated body that comprises two integrally joined sections which can be separated by breaking. One section is a tubular barrel section which constitutes a medicament reservoir having two openings. The other section is a rod-like section, which constitutes a plunger, which, by reason of being integrally joined to the barrel section seals one opening of the reservoir. The reservoir section is prefilled with a medicament. At the other opening end of the medicament reservoir, through which it is prefilled with medicament, there is arranged an easily removable sealing means. After separation, the plunger section slidably fits into the reservoir in such a way that essentially the whole medicament content of the reservoir is ejected therefrom when the plunger is inserted into the reservoir.

Abstract: Disposable diapers provided with breathable leg cuffs. Disposable diapers comprise a topsheet, an absorbent element, and a backsheet. The leg cuff of a disposable diaper is that part of the diaper which fits about the wearer's leg. Extensions of the backsheet can be used to form cuffs which are frequently elasticized. In the present invention the cuffs are formed of a material which allows passage of vapor ("breathes") while tending to retard the passage of liquid. Apertured thermoplastic films are examples of such materials. Certain advantages accrue in cuffs which are permeable to vapor in their distal portions and impermeable in the portions adjacent the absorbent element. If the disposable diaper has a breathable backsheet, the cuffs are constructed to be more permeable to vapor per unit area in their breathable portions than is the backsheet.

Abstract: An improved sanitary napkin is provided which protects the user's undergarment from wetting. The napkin is provided with two flaps each affixed to the garment facing side of the napkin and each extending in a direction tranverse to the longitudinal edge of the napkin and adapted to encircle the crotch portion of the undergarment. The flaps are affixed to the garment facing side of the napkin at an affixation point inward from the longitudinal edge of the napkin so that when encircling the crotch portion, the edges of the crotch portion of the undergarment are gathered under the napkin and the napkin acts as a shield to prevent wetting.

Abstract: An incontinence device which includes a garment having a sewn-in absorbent pad. A sheet of liquid impervious material is interposed between the garment and the surface of the absorbent pad remote from the wearer. The absorbent pad is coupled to the sheet of liquid-impervious material by stitching then the sheet is coupled to the garment by portions of the sheet turned back from the stitching of the pad to the sheet and stitched to the garment. In a further embodiment, a layer of permeable hydrophobic material is provided intermediate the pad and the wearer.

Abstract: Liquid-absorbing disposable articles, such as diapers, sanitary napkins and like products. The invention is characterized in that elastication (4) is used to shape the article to its intended form.

Abstract: A medical device having long-lasting bactericidal properties and a method for making the same is provided. The material from which the medical device is made, the substrate, carries a negatively-charged group having a pKa of less than 6. A cationic antibiotic is ionically bonded to the negatively-charged group. The negatively-charged group may be a portion of a larger carrier molecule. The carrier molecule is bound to the substrate such that the negatively-charged group is exposed for ionic interaction with the cationic antibiotic. Heparin is an ideal carrier molecule because it has both anti-bacterial adhesion activity and anti-thrombogenic activity.

Abstract: A nasal pack syringe is provided that includes a barrel, a plunger, an expandable, absorbent packing material, and a suture for retrieval of the packing material. The barrel is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The dimensions of the barrel and packing material are influenced by the dimensions of the human nasal cavity. The barrel and packing material are of sufficient length to allow penetration as far as the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. The barrel has ribs projecting from an interior wall thereof to facilitate movement of the packing material and a notch for holding the suture to avoid any obstruction during the movement of the packing material relative to the barrel. The plunger has a split end to assure a tight fit between the plunger and the barrel. In using the nasal pack syringe, the plunger is moved to push the packing material from the barrel into the patient's nasal cavity. The packing material expands upon contact with blood.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the delivery of a neurotransmitter from an implanted, neurotransmitter-secreting cell culture to a target region in a subject. The cell culture is maintained within a biocompatible, semipermeable membrane which permits the diffusion of the neurotransmitter therethrough while excluding viruses, antibodies, and other detrimental agents present in the external environment from gaining access. Implantable cell culture devices are disclosed, some of which may be retrieved from the subject, replaced or recharged with new, neurotransmitter-secreting cell cultures, and reimplanted.

Abstract: An electrochemically driven drug dispenser for dispensing a drug at a controlled rate. The drug dispenser includes an electrochemical pump which pumps an electrochemically active fluid from a first compartment through a membrane into a scond compartment. As the fluid enters the second compartment it exerts pressure on a diaphragm separating the second compartment from a chamber containing a drug to be administered. As the pressure increases, the drug is expelled. In the absence of any pumping action, the fluid moves between the two compartments by diffusion through the membrane at a rate which is characteristic of the membrane and determined by any pressure difference between the two compartments. The pumping rate is determined by the magnitude of an electric current applied to the pump, and by varying the pumping rate with reference to the diffusion rate any of a variety drug administration rates can be implemented. A pressure sensor may be included in the pump for more precise control of the pumping rate.

Abstract: A device for collecting and absorbing urine, comprising a laminate composed of several layers, in which an outer plastic casing in combination with a material permeable to urine form a space enclosing an absorption body. The absorption body includes at least one super-absorbent laminate which may be a tissue integrated with a super-absorbent polymer and which upon absorption forms a gel. The space surrounding the absorption body is designed to permit expansion when the absorption body assumes the gel phase.

Abstract: A method of fabricating frozen fine liver pieces for an artificial liver which comprises cutting a liver removed from a human being or an animal, from which blood has been removed, into fine pieces of square shape and freezing the liver pieces with helium gas. A freezing apparatus for an artificial liver which has gas phase pressurizing means for pressurizing liquid helium coupled to a chamber for storing the liquid helium, a helium gas conduit dipped in the liquid helium passed through the chamber to be closed and contained, to which the liver fine pieces are telescopic, and an exhaust conduit provided with a control valve coupled to the freezing chamber.

Abstract: A nonsurgically implanted gastrointestinal module is described. The module consists of an ellipsoidal or spherical collapsible gastric anchor, a tether device, and an intestinal payload module. The device is inserted into the stomach via a gastric intubation technique. The gastric anchor unfolds within the gastric cavity and lodges itself prior to the sphincter. The smaller intestinal module passes through the sphincter and unfolds within the confines of the intestine. The intestinal module is held in place via a tether which binds the gastric anchor to the intestinal payload module. The intestinal module may contain slow release medicaments, bound enzymes, cofactors, buffers, microorganisms and the like. Thus biochemical processes of the intestine may be modified, and these in turn may affect other body compartments. The gastrointestinal module may be removed with a retrieval hook via a gastric intubation technique.

Abstract: This invention is a composition having anti-thrombogenic properties, comprising as essential constituent components a polyurethane or polyurethane urea containing polytetramethylene oxide in its main chain, a water soluble and/or water swellable macromolecules, and a silicon-containing compound capable of forming polysiloxane while crosslinking; and a blood contact medical device having such a composition on blood contact surfaces. According to this invention, it is possible to provide on blood contact surfaces a hydrophilic polymer which is excellent in dynamic properties and very rich in the antithrombogenic properties, and the invention can be greatly contributory in the field of blood contact medical devices.

Abstract: A self-regulated system and method for controllably administering a therapeutic agent to a patient is disclosed. A therapeutic agent is driven by unidirectional electrostatic diffusion across a rate-controlling electret membrane. The diffused therapeutic agent is then delivered to a patient. The preparation of the electret membrane and therapeutic agent delivery apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for preventing secondary cataracts. A cytotoxic agent is employed which is introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye to inhibit proliferation of remnant lens epithelial cells after extracapsular cataract extraction. Desirably a non-cytotoxic agent cross-reactive with the cytotoxic agent is introduced prior to introduction of the cytotoxic agent. The agents can be provided as kits.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improvement in retinal and choroidal blood flow. The compounds can be administered topically or systemically to enhance the retinal blood flow in a variety of physiologically acceptable formulations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical device and a method of using the device to deliver a continuous controlled supply of a medication to a specific internal site. Specifically, the invention comprises an inert, biodegradable implant impregnated with one or more therapeutic agents designed to provide a controlled, localized and sustained release of the therapeutic agents. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an ocular implant which bioerodes within the eye environment thereby gradually releasing the therapeutic agents at the site to be treated until the entire implant eventually erodes without the need for further surgery. The invention is especially suitable for treating post-operative glaucoma patients.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting bacterial infection in the udder of a host susceptible to bacterial infection is disclosed which comprises continuously applying pressure on the epithelial lining cells of at least one gland cistern of said udder. There is also disclosed a device which is a non-toxic and non-specific antigenic and of sufficient size to be restrained from entering the teat cistern of said udder, the device having a density greater than that of milk in the udder.