Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: A biological fluid sample analysis cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a housing, a fluid module, and an analysis chamber. The fluid module includes a sample acquisition port and an initial channel, and is connected to the housing. The initial channel is sized to draw fluid sample by capillary force, and is in fluid communication with the acquisition port. The initial channel is fixedly positioned relative to the acquisition port such that at least a portion of a fluid sample disposed within the acquisition port will draw into the initial channel. The analysis chamber is connected to the housing, and is in fluid communication with the initial channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a biologic fluid sample quiescently residing within a chamber is provided. The chamber includes a first panel and a second panel, between which the biologic fluid sample quiescently resides. At least one of the first and second panels is flexible. The chamber has one or more fields that are each defined by a cross-sectional area. The apparatus comprises a field illuminator, a chamber flattener, a positioner, and an image dissector. The field illuminator has an objective lens. The chamber flattener has a platen with a window and a cover plate. The chamber flattener is operable to cause the chamber to assume a substantially uniform Z-axis position for substantially all of the fields within the chamber. The positioner is adapted to position the objective lens and the chamber relative to one another. The image dissector is adapted to image the sample residing within the chamber.

Abstract: A urine drainage bag, such as a urostomy bag, includes a drainage tap. The tap includes a tap member mounted to a housing so as to be pivotably movable between a closed, stowed position and an open, deployed position. In the closed position, the tap member is accommodated substantially within a chamber of the housing. The housing is disposed between front and rear walls of the bag, such that the tap is integrated into the seam of the bag. The tap further comprises a drip cap that is captively mounted on the tap member. A portion of the drip cap acts as a handle for pulling on the tap member. A portion of the drip cap also acts as a retainer or lock for blocking accidental closing of the tap member when attached to a night drainage apparatus.

Abstract: A stoma adapter is described that is especially suited to a recessed stoma or a flush stoma. The stoma adapter effectively extends the discharge passage from the stoma, protects peristomal skin, and forms a bridge at the interface between the stoma and an ostomy appliance. The stoma adapter contains a substantially unobstructed discharge passage, at least for effluent flowing in a discharge direction. The stoma adapter includes a seal for sealing against the bowel wall. The stoma adapter has collapsing, expanding, flexible and reinforced designs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an ostomy device component, for attaching a preformed first portion of the component to a second portion. The second portion is formed by being blow molded into intimate bonding contact with the preformed first portion. The preformed first portion may be injection molded. An ostomy device component formed by this technique may comprise first and second portions, at least one of which is a blow molded part integrally molded to the other part.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling including a body-side coupling member, an appliance-side coupling member including plural fastener lugs, and a bracing member. The lugs flex independently of each other to provide plural independent latching fastenings. The bracing member is moved between a bracing position in which the bracing member locks the lugs by resisting flexing movement, and a non-bracing or dismounted position in which the lugs are free to flex. The ostomy coupling is used with an ostomy pouch or with a controlled evacuation device.

Abstract: A single-use ostomy appliance is described including an ostomy coupling for releasable coupling first and second portions at a stomal orifice. The two portions may be separable body-side and non-body-side parts, or the two portions may be portions of a unitary ostomy device such as a controlled evacuation device. The coupling includes a mechanical fastener configured such that the coupling is rendered substantially not resecurable after the fastener is released.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer-containing lidding films for food, non-food and medical packages, including a two-piece sealed package having container and lid portions that are readily separable from each other. Thin, transparent films may be formed having excellent barrier properties suitable for packaging applications, particularly blister packaging.

Abstract: A medical device such as an ostomy appliance has an inflatable seal for sealing an opening in a patient's body. A non-return valve is provided at an inlet port for admitting inflation fluid into the inflatable seal and for preventing escape of the inflation fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an ostomy device component, for attaching a preformed first portion of the component to a second portion. The second portion is formed by being blow molded into intimate bonding contact with the preformed first portion. The preformed first portion may be injection molded. An ostomy device component formed by this technique may comprise first and second portions, at least one of which is a blow molded part integrally molded to the other part.

Abstract: Molded articles which include at least one layer of a fluoropolymer and at least one layer of a thermoplastic polymer. More particularly, molded bottles having a layer of a fluoropolymer attached to a layer of a polyethylene via an intermediate adhesive tie layer. The molded articles are preferably formed such that the fluoropolymer layer is either the innermost layer or central layer of the multilayered structure. The adhesives that are employed are useful in adhering layers of dissimilar polymeric materials that are otherwise incompatible and achieve a significantly improved interlayer bond strength between a fluoropolymer layer and a thermoplastic polymer layer.

Abstract: A spinal cage insert for a spinal cage is provided. The spinal cage insert has a shape suitable to be inserted into and fit closely in an interior of the spinal cage. The insert may comprise a member of the calcium phosphate family. The spinal cage insert may be made to a desired shape of porous ceramic, and it may include channels and/or surface features. Various shapes of filler pieces are also provided, wherein the filler pieces may be suitable to augment external regions of vertebrae which have been fused to each other so as to promote build-up of bone. The spinal cage insert and/or the filler pieces may be osteoconductive and may also contain osteoinductive substances or material. The articles may also contain cavities suitable for containing particles of demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Methods of use and methods of manufacturing the spinal cage insert and filler pieces are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to shaped bone void filler pieces having defined porosity. In embodiments of the invention, the shaped bone void filler pieces are presented substantially as wedges, wafers, and axisymmetric bone void filler pieces. The bone void filler pieces further comprise surface and internal features such as recesses, channels, and/or voids. The bone void filler pieces optionally comprise demineralized bone matrix. The invention further is directed to methods of making and methods of using the bone void filler pieces. In another embodiment of the invention, the bone void filler pieces are produced using three dimensional printing methods. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the bone void filler pieces are manufactured with selected porogens integrated therein, which optionally are decomposed following production through a heat-mediated decomposition process, resulting in voids in the bone void filler spaces previously occupied by the porogen(s).

Abstract: Blister packages are provided which are formed from multilayered films having a lid-stock film which is heat sealed directly to a fluoropolymer film. A polymeric base layer is adhered to a fluoropolymer layer via a first intermediate adhesive tie layer; a support layer is adhered to the fluoropolymer layer via a second intermediate adhesive tie layer; and a metallic foil layer is adhered to the support layer via a third intermediate adhesive tie layer. The blister has a greatly improved moisture barrier over blister packages of the prior art.

Abstract: Blister packages are provided which are formed from multilayered films having a lid-stock film which is heat sealed directly to a fluoropolymer film. A polymeric base layer is adhered to a fluoropolymer layer via a first intermediate adhesive tie layer; a support layer is adhered to the fluoropolymer layer via a second intermediate adhesive tie layer; and a metallic foil layer is adhered to the support layer via a third intermediate adhesive tie layer. The blister has a greatly improved moisture barrier over blister packages of the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention provides coextruded or laminated films having at least one layer of a fluoropolymer homopolymer or copolymer, a layer of a cyclic olefin homopolymer or copolymer and an intermediate adhesive layer. Such films have a high moisture barrier property and are substantially transparent.

Abstract: The present invention provides coextruded or laminated films having at least one layer of a fluoropolymer homopolymer or copolymer, a layer of a cyclic olefin homopolymer or copolymer and an intermediate adhesive layer. Such films have a high moisture barrier property and are substantially transparent.