Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for softening cellulose pulp using chemical softening agents or debonders, which include compositions comprising lower alkyl acid esters or cyclic esters of polyhydroxy compounds, without adversely affecting the absorbency of the cellulose fiber products thereof, and products thereof. The process of the invention may also be used in combination with plasticizing agents for cellulose such as glycerol, mono- and di-saccharides, glycols, and oligomers thereof. The process of the invention provides cellulosic fiber which is easier to fluff (refiberize) and to subsequently densify airlaid pads formed from the resulting individualized fibers, without adversely affecting absorbency.

Abstract: An absorbent sheeted material containing a layer of a foamed hydrogel-forming polymer having superabsorbent properties coated on the surface of a sheeted fibrous absorbent material suitable for use in disposable absorbent products and methods of making thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a syringe plunger adapted for use with a glass syringe barrel to provide a low friction syringe useful in medical procedures such as administering epidural anesthesia, the plunger having a first or leading member and a second or trailing member, the first member comprising a hollow glass tubular body defining a chamber having a closed leading end and an open trailing end, the first member being characterized as adapted to provide a very close tolerance fit within the glass syringe barrel and as exhibiting substantially no frictional interference as the leading end of the first member is advanced axially within the syringe barrel; the second member having leading and trailing ends; and means for flexibly securing the leading end of the second member within the chamber of the first member so that the second member is free to flex at the point of attachment in response to lateral forces applied to the second member as the plunger is advanced within the glass barrel, the plunger thereby being charact

Abstract: An epidural needle through which an epidural catheter may be threaded for administering liquid anesthesia into the epidural space, the needle having a curved distal end, the tip of the needle distal to the opening in the needle shaft being substantially planar at an angle of 80.degree.-100.degree. relative to the curved longitudinal axis of the needle shaft, the needle tip being characterized as being faceted so as to retard inadvertent passage of the needle tip through the dura mater of a patient while at the same time retaining the sharp cutting edges common to a like epidural needle which has not had its tip so treated.

Abstract: The invention features a component which is part of a breathing circuit for directing flow of air to and from a patient, the breathing circuit including an inspiratory tube defining an inspiratory lumen for flow of air to the patient and an expiratory tube defining an expiratory lumen for flow of air from the patient, the tubes being joined via a common wye piece to the component. The component includes each of inner and outer coaxial tubes, the inner tube defining an inner lumen in communication with the inspiratory lumen, the outer tube defining an outer lumen in communication with the expiratory lumen, wherein the outer tube is made from a collapsible and expandable tubing which is sufficiently flexible to assume a bent configuration and sufficiently stable to retain the bent configuration, and thus is virtually unlimited in its positionability with respect to the patient and the bulky portions of the breathing circuit.

Abstract: Described is a method for preparing a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble material. The method involves forming a first solution containing a water-soluble phycocolloid. The first solution is then added to a second solution containing an ion capable of rendering the water-soluble phycocolloid substantially water insoluble. The phycocolloid material is then removed from the second solution and subjected to a solvent exchange to remove water present in the phycocolloid material. Hollow particles can be formed by including a gelation-retarding agent in the first solution. Also described is a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble particle defining an interior void. The particle comprises an outer shell formed from a water-insoluble phycocolloid. The outer shell defines an interior void which contains a phycocolloid.

Abstract: Described is a method for preparing a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble material. The method involves forming a first solution containing a water-soluble phycocolloid. The first solution is then added to a second solution containing an ion capable of rendering the water-soluble phycocolloid substantially water insoluble. The phycocolloid material is then removed from the second solution and subjected to a solvent exchange to remove water present in the phycocolloid material. Hollow particles can be formed by including a gelation-retarding agent in the first solution. Also described is a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble particle defining an interior void. The particle comprises an outer shell formed from a water-insoluble phycocolloid. The outer shell defines an interior void which contains a phycocolloid.

Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatuses for evacuation of exudate from wounds. The apparatuses include a suctioning means having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a wound cover in fluid communication with the suctioning means via the inlet port. The wound cover is adapted to fit in fluid communication with a wound dressing for application to a wound site. The suctioning means is operative to remove exudate from a wound dressing in association with the wound cover and covering a wound site.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble modified polysaccharide having improved age-stable absorption properties. The method involves forming a mixture of a modified polysaccharide, water, and, optionally, a crosslinking agent, recovering the modified polysaccharide from the mixture and, optionally, heat-treating said recovered modified polysaccharide.

Abstract: The invention features a needle defining a flowpath, a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal inner seat leading to and defining a lumen, and a viscous material contained within the housing. The needle is slidable through the housing and the viscous material contained therein. The viscous material is fluid enough for the needle to slide therethrough, yet semi-solid enough to conform to the housing distal inner seat so as to form a seal thereat and prevent flow of fluid or air through the lumen.

Abstract: The invention features a needle and a housing having a proximal inner surface and a distal inner seat leading to and defining a lumen, wherein the needle is slidable through the housing to occupy the lumen. The housing contains and is cooperable with a valve shaped so as to sealably fit against the housing distal inner seat, the valve including a hole alignable with the lumen. When the needle slidably occupies the housing, the valve hole, and the lumen, the valve is prevented from sealably fitting against the housing distal inner seat. The housing also contains an outward biasing means biased against the valve. Upon removal of the needle from the housing, the outward biasing means urges the valve sealably against the housing distal inner seat so as to prevent flow of fluid or air through the lumen.

Abstract: A porous structure of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material which porous structure possesses improved free swell capacity and is able to demonstrate said improved free swell capacity when in contact with an absorbent material such as a cellulosic fibrous web. Also disclosed is a method of making such a porous polymeric structure. The method comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water suspension, wherein the water phase contains a water-soluble monomer and a crosslinking agent and the oil phase is a volatile organic compound having a boiling point greater than the boiling point of water. The monomer present in the water phase is polymerized to form a polymeric material having dispersed therein the oil phase. The resultant polymeric material is then dried at a temperature above the boiling point of water, such that the volatile organic compound volatilizes thereby forming pores in the polymeric material, which pores have a diameter of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: The invention features a low friction syringe which includes a plastic barrel having a circumferential inner surface defining a chamber, a plastic plunger having a distal end received in the barrel chamber, and an elastomeric gasket positioned at the distal end of the plunger and received in the barrel chamber. The gasket comprises a body with forward and rearward ends and first and second annular flanges positioned circumferentially at the forward and rearward ends of the body. The forward flange permits injection to occur. The rearward flange permits aspiration to occur. The flanges are separated by an annular space intermediate the body portion and the barrel inner surface. The gasket also includes an annular projection extending from each flange.

Abstract: The invention features an aspirating syringe which includes a plastic syringe barrel having an exterior wall and an inner surface, and leading and trailing ends. The inner surface and ends define a hollow interior chamber and a predetermined volume. The leading end of the barrel has an opening extending through a hub and the trailing end terminates at an outer rim. The syringe also includes a plastic plunger slidingly operative in the barrel. The leading, i.e., sealing, end of the plunger helps to define the hollow interior chamber and the predetermined volume. The plunger extends longitudinally within and beyond the barrel trailing end and is movable in the barrel inwardly toward the leading end and outwardly away from the leading end, thereby varying the predetermined volume of and pressure within the barrel interior chamber. The plunger also has a sealing end receivable inside the barrel to substantially seal the hollow interior chamber and a thumb-receiving end outside the barrel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a urodynamic catheter having a fill lumen for filling the bladder with liquid; at least a first pressure-sensing lumen having an opening adapted for being positioned within the bladder for obtaining pressure readings of the bladder; and preferably also a second pressure-sensing lumen having an opening adapted for being positioned within the urethra while the opening of the first pressure-sensing lumen is within the bladder, the opening in the urethra being for obtaining pressure readings of the urethra.Each pressure-sensing lumen has a radio-opaque element fixedly seated therewithin in close proximity to and distal to the opening in the lumen for determining proper placement of the catheter within the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter package and delivery system which is directed to the problem of the catheter, or any position of it, inadvertently tumbling out on withdrawal from its package for use and accidentally contacting a nonsterile surface. The catheter is packaged in a coiled manner such that the distal tip is removable through a first hole in the package and the catheter may then be uncoiled and ultimately removed through a second hole in the package as the catheter is threaded through a needle for introduction into the patient.

Abstract: A porous structure of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material which porous structure possesses improved free swell capacity and is able to demonstrate said improved free swell capacity when in contact with an absorbent material such as a cellulosic fibrous web. Also disclosed is a method of making such a porous polymeric structure. The method comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water suspension, wherein the water phase contains a water-soluble monomer and a crosslinking agent and the oil phase is a volatile organic compound having a boiling point greater than the boiling point of water. The monomer present in the water phase is polymerized to form a polymeric material having dispersed therein the oil phase. The resultant polymeric material is then dried at a temperature above the boiling point of water, such that the volatile organic compound volatilizes thereby forming pores in the polymeric material, which pores have a diameter of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed are microbore catheters for spinal anesthesia having one or more side ports provided by a laser beam.

Abstract: An adapter for a catheter having a body member having a bore and a distal opening, an elastic compression member received in the bore of the body member, with the compression member having a channel extending therethrough to receive the catheter and a distal end extending from the opening of the body member to provide a strain relief for the catheter.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter having a plurality of flexible, elongated catheter tubes concentrically and coaxially disposed, each catheter tube defining a separate lumen, each catheter tube having a distal end which extends outwardly from the distal end of the next surrounding catheter tube, and each catheter tube having a proximal end which is secured and encapsulated by a manifold which facilitates fluid communication between each of the separate lumens and fluid transfer devices or pressure monitoring devices via separate extension tubing.