Abstract: An open ended ostomy pouch having a folding bar attached to the bottom of the pouch. The folding bar extends on both sides beyond the width of the pouch at the bottom opening and includes interlocking closure components on opposite ends.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a method of surgically treating an esophageal varix utilizing an endoscope wherein air under pressure is directed to expand a patient's esophagus and wherein the varix is located, punctured and injected with a sclerosing material. The subject improvement involves directing a dual-lumen balloon tube through the patient's esophagus, the dual-lumen balloon tube including a primary suction lumen and a secondary inflation lumen. After the vatix is located, punctured and injected with sclerosing material, the balloon tube is partially withdrawn to position the balloon adjacent the varix and fluid under pressure is directed through the secondary lumen to inflate the balloon to thereby compress the varix to assist in stemming the flow of blood therefrom. Suction is then applied to the primary lumen to relieve pressure in the patient's stomach.

Abstract: In a container defining a flexible wall, means for sealingly receiving a puncture member through the wall which comprises an insert member positioned within the container. The insert member defines an aperture for sealingly receiving the puncture member after penetration through the wall. The aperture provides flow communication between the container interior and a puncture member received in the aperture. Thus, access may be provided to a container which has no conventional tubular port carried on its exterior. Optionally, tape means may be removably adhered to the flexible wall so that removal of the tape means exposes a clean surface through which the puncture member can penetrate.

Abstract: Catheter feedback methods and systems are disclosed for optimizing the infusion of a drug, such as a chemotherapeutic agent via retrograde perfusion through the venous side of the vascular network to a selectively determined portion of a solid tumor. Monitoring and regulatory capability are provided for controlling the outflow of the drug and thereby for controlling the dose rate, the duration of exposure of the drug, the leakage factor, and the level of systemic toxicity, all critical factors in the successful treatment of solid tumors. A feedback loop for practicing the method comprises two concentric balloon catheters capable of extensive maneuvering and selective placement within the venous drainage of the vascular system, creating a third in-vivo space for repeated perfusion of the selected portion of a diseased organ as often as desired, providing maximum exposure of the chemotherapy to the tumor with minimum exposure to any other portions of the patient's body.

Abstract: An incontinence protector for men including an absorbent layer of substantially rectangular shape which is folded together, and a liquid impermeable casing enclosing the two planar outsides of the absorbent layer, the folding edge and an edge situated close thereto, as well as a method of manufacturing such an incontinence protector.

Abstract: A dressing is disclosed which is made of a very thin film coated with an adhesive. In order to allow application of the dressing, the dressing has, on the surface opposite the adhesive, a fabric backing which is composed of a woven or non-woven fabric or a paper backing material. The dressing can be applied to the wound and the fibrous backing then removed, or the fibrous backing may be retained in place.

Abstract: A dental roll having a wrapper or covering of nonwoven fibers surrounding an absorbent body of cellulosic fibers and wherein the wrapper is constructed to have greater stretchability radially of the absorbent body than lengthwise thereof so as to resiliently maintain the body in compacted, dense condition while permitting the dental rolls to readily conform to the contour of the mouth and lip of the patient.

Abstract: Facing for absorptive articles comprising non-woven fabric having two layers of different fibre-compositions, i.e., a first layer defining a surface to be in contact with the wearer's skin and having a pattern of apertures, and a second layer defined a rear side with respect to said surface and having no aperture.Process for making said facing comprising steps forming said first layer by subjecting fibrous web to high velocity water jet treatment on a support carring thereon aperture formation element, forming said second layer by subjecting fibrous web to said treatment or heat fusion treatment, and simultaneously combining said first layer integrally with said second layer with either of said treatments (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A dressing comprising a textile-like nonwoven fabric characterized in that the fibers comprise a blend of fibers including a percentage (preferably from about 15 to about 60 percent) of thermoplastic fibers, and the fabric is compacted (preferably micro-creped at an overfeed not less than 10 percent and typically in the range of about 20 to about 30 percent and at a drum temperature of greater than about 250 degrees F.) subsequent to hydro-entangling the fibers. prior to compacting, the fabric typically has a weight in the range of about 20 to 60 grams per square yard. After compacting, the fabric has an absorptive capacity and a liquid transfer both of which are greater than the absorptive capacity and liquid transfer of a hydro-entangled fabric of the same weight and fiber blend which has not been compacted.

Abstract: A garment with a backsheet (12), a bodyside liner (14) essentially coterminous with the backsheet (12) and forming a shape with a front waist section (18), a back waist section (20) and side sections connecting the front waist section (18) to the back waist section (20) and first and second flaps (30, 32) formed from or attached to bodyside liner (14). Flaps (30, 32) may have elastic members (40, 42) applied thereto respectively. Flaps (30, 32) may be folded inwardly and respective ends thereof may be bonded to bodyside liner (14) so that edges of flaps are directed toward a centerline (38) of the garment. The flaps (30, 32) may be attached to or formed from bodyside liner (14) along lines (34, 36) which are parallel to centerline (38) or which diverge from or converge toward centerline (38). Additionally, flaps (30, 38) may have varying width and be less than full length.

Abstract: Water content sensing and informing system for the disposable diaper composed of a water permeable inner sheet, a water absorber and a water impermeable outer sheet, comprises a water content sensing means consisting of a water impermeable sheet, and a first and second metal layers, the first metal layer being formed on one side surface of the water impermeable sheet, and the second metal layer being formed on the other side surface of the sheet and an informing means, electrically connected to the above two metal layers, for informing that the water content in the diaper exceeds a specific level in response to the change of the electric conductivity between the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

Abstract: A method for effecting in vitro/in vivo fertilization in which an oocyte and its follicle are removed from the mother. In a host mother, the wall which separates the intraperitoneal fluid from the extraperitoneal fluid is perforated, and placed within this perforation is a culture container. Introduced into this container are the oocyte and its follicular fluid, the spermatozoa and a culture medium. After fertilization and multiplication of the cells under optional artificial conditions, the transfer of the embryo and the nidation are carried out in a substantially normal manner.

Abstract: The invention is generally accomplished by providing an elongated, curved, better-fitting absorbent pad for absorption of bodily excretions comprising a liquid-impermeable backing member, an absorbent inner member and a liquid-permeable body-side member. The absorbent member is shaped generally in a manner that provides a narrower middle portion of absorbent material. The middle portion also in the preferred embodiment is somewhat thicker than the absorbent portions at the ends of the pad. The pad is provided with upstanding side portions in the middle of each long edge in the area where the absorbent is narrower. The pad further is curved so as to generally conform to the pudendum.

Abstract: An absorbent structure designed for use in absorbent pads such as diapers is disclosed. According to a first aspect of the invention, absorbent pads are provided which comprise at least two layers of cellulosic fibers (fluff) of different densities or average pore size ranges. When the absorbent structure is incorporated in a diaper, the lower density element extends to the full length and width dimensions of the normal absorbent component of the diaper. The higher density element lies beneath at least a portion of the lower density element. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it can run as a strip from the target zone to the back waist of a diaper, it can run along a central portion extending the whole length of the diaper, or it can underlie the entirety of the lower density element.

Abstract: An enteral feeding tube includes a unitary, molded weighted bolus insert molded to a preformed tubular stem. The bolus and stem are each formed from a polymeric composition including a thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymer, e.g. styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, and an essentially linear polysiloxane having a kinematic viscosity at room temperature of 20 to 10.sup.6 centistokes, and optionally, polypropylene and/or mineral oil. The bolus is weighted with tungsten powder mixed into the polymeric composition. The bolus includes a central bore extending over at least a portion of its length and communicating with the interior of the stem and to the exterior of the bolus.

Abstract: A bladder assist device for maintaining natural drainage by a repetition of expansion and contraction of a bladder even when a urethral catheter is embedded in the bladder which includes a pressure control chamber containing a concentric-type siphon tube connected to a urethral catheter at a particular part, the pressure control chamber having a pressure control hole sealed by an air flow restricting filter.

Abstract: The clip consists of two separate branches, the facing surfaces of which have profiles which allow the pressure effecting occlusion of the oviduct or vas deferens to be generated only in two separate pressure zones while a cavity is formed as nutrition zone between the two pressure zones to relieve the oviduct or vas deferens of pressure and enable its tissue to be nourished. The branches are connected with one another at both ends by detent closure means.

Abstract: A flexible, non-collapsible conduit system separable but positioned around a standard cuffed, endotracheal tube to allow for direct topical application of medicinal substances to tissues of the larynx and trachea that might be irritated, traumatized, or stimulated by the endotracheal tube. An external injection port and tubing connect to an internal passage in the endotracheal tube side wall, the passage extending to connect with a system of flexible, non-collapsible conduits, whose lumens are always patent, integrated and distributed above, about and below the cuff area of the endotracheal tube. This system of flexible, non-collapsible conduits are perforated to allow for infusion of topically applied medicinal substance(s), such as anesthetic or anti-inflammatory substances, directly onto those tissues so affected by the cuff and tube regardless of whether the endotracheal tube is completely inflated, partially inflated or completely deflated.

Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbent for blood and serous body fluids consisting of at least two components, A and B, whereby component A is a crosslinked synthetic or natural polymer or copolymer, and component B is an organic and/or inorganic compound which is water-soluble and solid at normal temperature. The absorbent contains 25 to 98 weight % of component A and 2 to 75 weight % of component B. The invention, moveover, concerns the use of the said absorbent for absorption and/or retention of blood and serous body fluids, in particular in absorbent throwaway articles for surgical, medical and hygienic purposes.

Abstract: A tamper discouraging device in a liquid drainage system comprising, an elastic catheter having an elongated shaft, a connector adjacent a proximal end of the catheter, and a drainage lumen extending through a major portion of the catheter and the connector. The device has a hollow drainage tube having a hollow adapter at an upstream end of the drainage tube, with the adapter being received in the catheter connector. The device has a circumferential band being heat shrunk against the catheter over the connector and adapter.