Abstract: A brassiere, such as a backless and optionally strapless brassiere, includes a basque to accommodate the torso of a user, a pair of concave cups coupled to a portion of the basque, and a pair of reinforcement plates coupled to the concave cups. The reinforcement plates help support a wearer's chest in each one of the cups. Each of the reinforcement plates include fingers extending from an outside of a respective bra cup toward a center of the respective bra cup. The fingers include a first finger extending under the area of the respective cup.

Abstract: A stoma seal is described for a controlled evacuation ostomy appliance. The stoma seal may have a liquid-responsive property, such as hydrophobic, hydrophilic or absorptive. The stoma seal may have a non-smooth surface, e.g., at a microstructure scale. The non-smooth surface may consist of tortuous channels, protruding seals, or a confronting apertured or porous layer. The liquid-responsive property and/or the non-smooth surface may facilitate separation of flatus from faecal matter and/or facilitate venting of flatus while obstructing stool.

Abstract: A brassiere, such as a backless and optionally strapless brassiere, includes a basque to accommodate the torso of a user, a pair of concave cups coupled to a portion of the basque, and a pair of reinforcement plates coupled to the concave cups. The reinforcement plates help support a wearer's chest in each one of the cups. Each of the reinforcement plates include fingers extending from an outside of a respective bra cup toward a center of the respective bra cup. The fingers include a first finger extending under the area of the respective cup.

Abstract: A brassiere, such as a backless and optionally strapless brassiere, includes a basque to accommodate the torso of a user, a pair of concave cups coupled to a portion of the basque, and a pair of reinforcement plates coupled to the concave cups. The reinforcement plates help support a wearer's chest in each one of the cups. Each of the reinforcement plates include fingers extending from an outside of a respective bra cup toward a center of the respective bra cup. The fingers include a first finger extending under the area of the respective cup.

Abstract: A stoma seal is described for a controlled evacuation ostomy appliance. The stoma seal may have a liquid-responsive property, such as hydrophobic, hydrophilic or absorptive. The stoma seal may have a non-smooth surface, e.g., at a microstructure scale. The non-smooth surface may consist of tortuous channels, protruding seals, or a confronting apertured or porous layer. The liquid-responsive property and/or the non-smooth surface may facilitate separation of flatus from faecal matter and/or facilitate venting of flatus while obstructing stool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backless and optionally strapless brassiere comprising two textile layers, as well as chest underwiring and cup reinforcements. The torso underwiring comprises a substantially horizontal main bottom portion which is coupled, at the sides of the torso, to two substantially horizontal top side portions. Each reinforcement is a thin plate of rigid material including extensions extending from a side region arranged substantially outside each cup and engaging with the top side portion of the underwiring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backless and optionally strapless brassiere comprising two textile layers, as well as chest underwiring and cup reinforcements. The torso underwiring comprises a substantially horizontal main bottom portion which is coupled, at the sides of the torso, to two substantially horizontal top side portions. Each reinforcement is a thin plate of rigid material including extensions extending from a side region arranged substantially outside each cup and engaging with the top side portion of the underwiring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backless and optionally strapless brassiere comprising two textile layers (7, 8), as well as chest underwiring (20) and cup reinforcements (30). The torso underwiring (20) comprises a substantially horizontal main bottom portion (21) which is coupled, at the sides of the torso, to two substantially horizontal top side portions (22). Each reinforcement (30) is a thin plate of rigid material including extensions (33-36) extending from a side region (31) arranged substantially outside each cup and engaging with the top side portion (22) of the underwiring.

Abstract: A stoma closure that includes a conformable portion for conforming to an individual's stoma. The conformable portion includes a sack containing particles. The conformable portion may include a gel that may be loose or be at least partly contained in a sack. The conformable portion may include foam. The conformable portion may be configured to permit venting of flatus, while obstructing the passage of liquid/solid stool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backless and optionally strapless brassiere comprising two textile layers (7, 8), as well as chest underwiring (20) and cup reinforcements (30). The torso underwiring (20) comprises a substantially horizontal main bottom portion (21) which is coupled, at the sides of the torso, to two substantially horizontal top side portions (22). Each reinforcement (30) is a thin plate of rigid material including extensions (33-36) extending from a side region (31) arranged substantially outside each cup and engaging with the top side portion (22) of the underwiring.

Abstract: A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance including a collection pouch, and an urging device for applying a sealing force through the pouch wall to seal the stoma. The pouch wall may seal directly against the stoma, or the pouch may have an internal sealing member that is pressed by the pouch wall against the stoma. The urging device provides an adjustable sealing force. The pouch may be disposable. The urging device may be reusable with a replacement pouch.

Abstract: A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance comprises a membrane that is urged into sealing engagement with a stoma, by the generation of radial tension in the membrane. A tensioning device applies tension, with respect to the stoma, at one or more positions that are (i) outboard of the periphery of the projecting portion of the stoma, and/or (ii) between the level of the peristomal skin and the level of the most projecting part of the stoma. Tension limiting means are disclosed. The membrane may be gas-permeable to allow flatus to be vented.

Abstract: A stoma closure that includes a conformable portion for conforming to an individual's stoma. The conformable portion includes a sack containing particles. The conformable portion may include a gel that may be loose or be at least partly contained in a sack. The conformable portion may include foam. The conformable portion may be configured to permit venting of flatus, while obstructing the passage of liquid/solid stool.

Abstract: An ostomy plug is described comprising first and second chambers having adjacent ends coupled to, and in fluid communication with, each other. The first chamber may be for insertion into a stoma. The second chamber may contain fluid for inflating the first chamber when the second chamber is squeezed or otherwise compressed. The plug may have a figure-of-eight configuration. The plug may be configured to permit venting of flatus while obstructing escape of other body waste from the stoma. The plug may incorporate an insertion aid for aiding insertion into a stoma. The plug may also incorporate a device for regulating the inflation pressure of the fluid to avoid undesirably high inflation pressures in the stoma.

Abstract: An ostomy plug is described comprising first and second chambers having adjacent ends coupled to, and in fluid communication with, each other. The first chamber may be for insertion into a stoma. The second chamber may contain fluid for inflating the first chamber when the second chamber is squeezed or otherwise compressed. The plug may have a figure-of-eight configuration. The plug may be configured to permit venting of flatus while obstructing escape of other body waste from the stoma. The plug may incorporate an insertion aid for aiding insertion into a stoma. The plug may also incorporate a device for regulating the inflation pressure of the fluid to avoid undesirably high inflation pressures in the stoma.

Abstract: A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance comprises a membrane that is urged into sealing engagement with a stoma, by the generation of radial tension in the membrane. A tensioning device applies tension, with respect to the stoma, at one or more positions that are (i) outboard of the periphery of the projecting portion of the stoma, and/or (ii) between the level of the peristomal skin and the level of the most projecting part of the stoma. Tension limiting means are disclosed. The membrane may be gas-permeable to allow flatus to be vented.