Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for coupling and securing a medical device appliance. In particular, one piece moldable adhesive structures are disclosed which allow customization of an attachment wafer to the size and shape of, for example, a stoma, while allowing flexibility and security for attaching a medical device, such as an ostomy pouch or other device to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for coupling and securing a medical device appliance. In particular, one piece moldable adhesive structures are disclosed which allow customization of an attachment wafer to the size and shape of, for example, a stoma, while allowing flexibility and security for attaching a medical device, such as an ostomy pouch or other device to the subject.

Abstract: The ostomy system includes a pouch that is adhesively coupled to a mounting wafer. The mounting wafer has a landing zone film formed of releasable plastic and the pouch has a face plate with a resealable adhesive that secures to the landing zone of the mounting wafer. The landing zone of the mounting wafer includes one portion that is immovable with respect to the body surface that the mounting wafer is secured to and another portion that is deflectable away from the body surface. The deflectable portion of the landing zone, also referred to as the floating landing zone, is sized for gripping between the fingers during pouch separation from the mounting wafer. Gripping of the floating landing zone during pouch separation helps isolate the pouch separation force from the abdominal area underlying the mounting wafer. The mounting wafer also includes indicia border lines that facilitate alignment of the pouch face plate with the mounting wafer.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling is disclosed comprising a floatable coupling part. The coupling part is supported with respect to an adhesive wafer by means of a flexible support collar that permits displacement of the coupling part in a floatable manner. The flexible collar comprises plastics film and has bistable shapes. The collar is configured to hold the coupling part stably in (i) an extended position spaced from the adhesive wafer, to facilitate an ostomate to manually brace the coupling part in order to relieve the attachment force when an ostomy appliance is press fitted to the coupling part, and (ii) in a retracted position close to the adhesive wafer.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for an ostomy coupling. The adapter provides a floatable coupling characteristic to an ostomy body fitment that has a non-floatable coupling part. The adapter comprises a first coupling part for attaching to the non-floating coupling part of the body fitment, a second coupling part for releasably attaching to an ostomy appliance, and a flexible collar between the first and second coupling parts. The flexible collar permits the second coupling part to be displaced away from the first coupling part, thereby creating a space for an ostomate to manually brace the second coupling part against an attachment force when an appliance is fitted.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling is disclosed comprising a floatable coupling part. The coupling part is supported with respect to an adhesive wafer by means of a flexible support collar that permits displacement of the coupling part in a floatable manner. The flexible collar comprises plastics film and has bistable shapes. The collar is configured to hold the coupling part stably in (i) an extended position spaced from the adhesive wafer, to facilitate an ostomate to manually brace the coupling part in order to relieve the attachment force when an ostomy appliance is press fitted to the coupling part, and (ii) in a retracted position close to the adhesive wafer.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for an ostomy coupling. The adapter provides a floatable coupling characteristic to an ostomy body fitment that has a non-floatable coupling part. The adapter comprises a first coupling part for attaching to the non-floating coupling part of the body fitment, a second coupling part for releasably attaching to an ostomy appliance, and a flexible collar between the first and second coupling parts. The flexible collar permits the second coupling part to be displaced away from the first coupling part, thereby creating a space for an ostomate to manually brace the second coupling part against an attachment force when an appliance is fitted.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance comprising a collection device for collecting body waste. At least a portion of the collection device is thermoformed from a sheet of plastics material, e.g., vacuum formed or pressure formed. The collection device may be configurable between a compact, stowed condition and an expanded deployed condition. The thermoformed portion is thermoformed in the deployed condition. The collection device has a depth:diamater ratio of at least 1:1. The ostomy appliance is a controlled evacuation appliance, or a collection pouch.

Abstract: A cyanoacrylate monomer is used as an adhesion-enhancement material for enhancing at least an initial bond between a person's skin and a hydrocolloid adhesive of e.g., an ostomy or wound care appliance, for attachment to the skin. The monomer is applied to the skin in a non-activated state. Polymerization of the momoner is initiated by a material in the hydrocolloid adhesive when the adhesive appliance is pressed on the skin thereafter. The adhesion-enhancement material may further comprise a plasticizer having a low Tg (e.g., <10° C.).

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides computer-aided processing of a rebate on a product. The system includes a rebate processing center communicating over a network with a manufacturer, a distributor, and a consumer. The rebate processing center maintains a promotion table and a transaction table in order to facilitate processing of product rebates and to offer the consumer a choice of disbursement options.

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: The coupling device for an ostomy pouch includes a flexible, deflectable, annular force transmitter member joined to an abdominal mounting plate that has a coupling member. The force transmitter member can be pulled in a direction away from the mounting plate during coupling of an ostomy pouch. The force transmitter member can thus oppose and neutralize a coupling force that is directed to the mounting plate and protect the abdomen from receiving the pressure due to the coupling force.

Abstract: The ostomy pouch has a coupling member that can be removed from the pouch envelope to permit flush disposal of the envelope without the coupling member. Flushability of the pouch is further enhanced by forming the pouch with converging side walls. Thus when the pouch is deposited in a toilet bottom end first in a carrier sleeve, the pouch can flow in streamlined fashion through the passages of a toilet and any sewer pipe or septic line connected to the toilet. Depending upon the flush capacity of the toilet and the flow rate of water through the toilet and sewer line, the ostomy pouch can be deposited in the toilet without a carrier sleeve.

Abstract: A plastic annular disk has a convex exterior surface upon which is situated an adhesive wafer. A removable protective shield is formed to have a substantially wrinkle-free surface with a contour identical to that of the convex surface. The disk and wafer are placed in a vacuum chamber, below a planar plastic sheet. The top of the chamber is heated. The space above the sheet is evacuated to draw the sheet against the heated surface. The remaining portion of the chamber is then evacuated to eliminate air between the wafer and disk. Lastly, the top of the chamber is vented such that the heated sheet is pressed over the wafer and disk.

Abstract: An annular mounting member is bonded to the pouch wall to define a vent opening. The mounting member is made of material which is compatible with the pouch film and has a smooth exterior surface adapted to facilitate removable mounting of an adhesive coated element in alignment with the opening. The element may be a deodorizing filter assembly including a filter disk surrounded by an annular border member coated with pressure sensitive adhesive or a gas impermeable cover member designed to close the vent.

Abstract: An annular mounting member is bonded to the pouch wall to define a vent opening. The mounting member is made of material which is compatable with the pouch film and has a smooth exterior surface adapted to facilitate removable mounting of an adhesive coated element in alignment with the opening. The element may be a deodorizing filter assembly including a filter disk surrounded by an annular border member coated with pressure sensitive adhesive or a gas impermeable cover member designed to close the vent.

Abstract: To minimize trauma after surgery, a clamp is employed to sealingly engage specially configured coupling rings mounted on the adhesive faceplate and the collection pouch, respectively. Each of the coupling rings includes a radially extending annular projection. The circular clamp is designed to surround the coupling rings and receive the projections within an annular recess. The projections and recess have oppositely oriented camming surfaces which cooperates to draw the coupling rings toward each other as the clamp is tightened. The clamp is locked by a toggle clasp connected by a living hinge, a pin and socket arrangement, a serrated clasp or a change purse type clasp. An adaptor can be employed so that the clamp can be used with a pouch with a conventionally configured coupling ring.

Abstract: The bayonet coupling uses a body side flange and a bag side flange. The body side flange has L-shaped openings engaged to engage with pins on the body side flange. The body side flange includes an annular detent which includes an O-ring for sealing purposes.

Abstract: A penile erection prosthesis fully implanted in a patient with a tubular section intermediate its ends containing a flexible zone. The flexible zone is formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves having sides of unequal length. The flexible zone contracts lengthwise with the grooves forming reentrant overlapping folds. The flexible zone is axially bendable and has the ability to retain a position without returning to its previous shape.