Abstract: A catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A package (10) for an elongated article has a sheet material with side (1, 6), upper (2, 5) and lower (3, 4) panels. The side panels are arranged to confront one another at a fin (20) and are at least partially adhered to one another at a longitudinal fin seal (28). The upper and lower panels extend from the fin to define a package body (12) which receives the elongated article. First and second end portions of the sheet material confront one another and are adhered to one another to form first and second end seals (16, 18) which enclose the interior cavity (14) of the package body. A starter line (36) is formed in the fin and extends from a free edge (24) thereof toward non-sealed portions (32) of the panels (1, 6) of the package.

Abstract: A catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A package (10) for an elongated article has a sheet material with side (1, 6), upper (2, 5) and lower (3, 4) panels. The side panels are arranged to confront one another at a fin (20) and are at least partially adhered to one another at a longitudinal fin seal (28). The upper and lower panels extend from the fin to define a package body (12) which receives the elongated article. First and second end portions of the sheet material confront one another and are adhered to one another to form first and second end seals (16, 18) which enclose the interior cavity (14) of the package body. A starter line (36) is formed in the fin and extends from a free edge (24) thereof toward non-sealed portions (32) of the panels (1, 6) of the package.

Abstract: A catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: Retaining elements are disclosed for mounting on a platen of an imprinter in order to position and secure an identification band on the platen for an imprinting operation. Each retaining element comprises a base having a planar bottom surface and an upper surface generally parallel with the bottom surface and including a band support portion, an adhesive layer along the bottom surface for securing the retaining elements to the platen, and a cantilevered spring arm secured at one end to the base (and extending over the band support portion of the base). A pair of such elements are affixed in spaced relation on the platen on opposite sides of an imprinting zone so that an identification band can be slipped between the undersides of the spring arms and the support portion of the bases with the imprint-receiving portion of the band traversing the imprinting zone and, preferably, the clasp of the band engaging a side edge of one of the retaining elements.

Abstract: A device and method for protecting users of hypodermic needle and syringe assemblies from accidental needle-stick injuries in the handling of such assemblies following use thereof and for facilitating the safe disposal of such assemblies. The device comprises a pad of relatively soft sheet material, preferably a sheet of closed-cell plastic foam, having an upper surface coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A shield or patch of tough, imperforate, foldable material is secured to the upper surface of the pad in such a way that the adhesive-coated surface of the pad defines a border zone extending outwardly about the entire perimeter of the shield. A fold line, preferably defined in part by a pre-formed crease in the shield, extends along the midlines of the pad and shield so that a used syringe may be adhesively secured to the pad with the syringe axis lying along the midline of the pad and the tip of the syringe needle located along the midline of the shield.

Abstract: An external male urinary drainage catheter combined with a collar for facilitating proper fitting of the catheter upon a patient, and the method of using such a catheter/collar combination, are disclosed. The catheter includes a cylindrical section rolled to form a torus that is supported by the collar prior to catheter application, a tapered neck section that extends through the open-ended collar, and an inner sleeve portion that is held in a stretched condition by the collar to help insure placement of the sleeve in sealing engagement with the glans of a patient's penis during the initial stage of catheter application.

Abstract: An external male urinary drainage catheter combined with a tubular applicator for applying and adhesively securing the catheter to a user. The method of use of the applicator/catheter combination, and the method of adhesively coating the inner surface of the catheter sheath during manufacture, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An external male urinary drainage catheter combined with a tubular applicator for applying and adhesively securing the catheter to a user. The method of use of the applicator/catheter combination, and the method of adhesively coating the inner surface of the catheter sheath during manufacture, are also disclosed.