Abstract: A thermal blanket particularly suitable for post-operative treatment of body joints such as the shoulder, ankle, knee and elbow. The blanket includes a bodyside first panel composed of double layers of thermoplastic sheet material heat-sealed together to define at least one and preferably two serpentine fluid flow passages for the circulation of cooling (or warming) fluid. The blanket also includes a soft, foldable exterior second panel coplanar with the first panel, the edges of the two panels being secured together to form a unitary, easily-foldable blanket. The exterior panel is of soft loop-providing pile fabric over substantially the entire exterior surface thereof.

Abstract: A thermal blanket with an elastic fit to accommodate body movement and particularly suitable for compressive post-operative thermal treatment of body joints such as the shoulder, ankle, knee, elbow, hand/wrist, back or hip, is disclosed. The blanket includes a bodyside first panel composed of double layers of thermoplastic sheet material heat-sealed together to define at least one and preferably two serpentine fluid flow passages for the circulation of cooling (or warming) fluid. The sheet material may alternatively define a relatively open passageway between an inlet and outlet. The blanket also includes a soft, foldable exterior second panel coplanar with the first panel, the edges of the two panels being secured together to form a unitary, easily-foldable blanket. The exterior panel is of soft loop-providing pile fabric over substantially the entire exterior surface thereof.

Abstract: A thermal blanket particularly suitable for post-operative treatment of body joints such as the shoulder, ankle, knee and elbow. The blanket includes a bodyside first panel composed of double layers of thermoplastic sheet material heat-sealed together to define at least one and preferably two serpentine fluid flow passages for the circulation of cooling (or warming) fluid. The blanket also includes a soft, foldable exterior second panel coplanar with the first panel, the edges of the two panels being secured together to form a unitary, easily-foldable blanket. The exterior panel is of soft loop-providing pile fabric over substantially the entire exterior surface thereof.

Abstract: A thermal blanket particularly suitable for post-operative treatment of the ankle and foot. The blanket includes inner and outer panels of easily foldable material having an outline defining two foot sections, an ankle section, and a T-shaped leg encircling section. The outer panel has its entire outer surface formed of soft loop pile fabric and the inner panel is composed of double layers of thermoplastic sheet material heat-sealed together to define at least one and preferably two serpentine flow passages for the circulation of thermal fluid through the blanket. The foot sections have bottom edges joined by one or more elastic webs. Hook-providing attachment patches, releasably attachable to the loop pile fabric that forms the entire outer surface of all of the sections of the blanket, detachably secure the upper edges of the foot sections together, as well as the front edges of the ankle section and the ends of the band portion of the T-shaped section, when the blanket is worn.

Abstract: A female urinary incontinence device including a periurethral cup, an external pad of soft, flexible, resilient material, and a compressible tubular elastic bellows extending between a lower opening of the cup and the inlet to a fluid discharge passage extending through the pad. The discharge passage extends forwardly (anteriorly) in a generally horizontal direction along the sagittal midplane of the pad, and the undersurface of the pad is provided with laterally-disposed and generally-horizontal surface portions, and preferably also a coplanar medial surface portion, for distributing forces and preventing inversion of the pad when a wearer is seated. A flexible discharge tube has one end detachably connected to the pad's discharge passage by means of a tubular coupling having an insert portion received in the outlet of that passage.

Abstract: A female urinary incontinence device including a periurethral cup, an external pad, and an elastic tubular bellows extending therebetween, as well as associated elements for holding the device in place and for collecting urine flowing therethrough. The periurethral cup is molded in one piece soft compressible material and has walls of substantial thickness providing smoothly rounded surfaces for sealingly contacting surfaces of the periurethral floor and vaginal introitus. One wall portion of the cup curves upwardly to define a resilient urine-deflecting protuberance received within the vaginal introitus. The device also includes a conduit for directing urine to a collector, a valved port for allowing air to enter the system within the external pad to prevent the development of relative negative pressure within that system, and a vent for allowing gas to escape from the collector.

Abstract: A coupling for an ostomy appliance that detachably joins an ostomy bag to a faceplate capable of being adhesively secured to a patient's skin about a stoma opening. Each coupling ring is formed of flexible and resilient thermoplastic material, with one of the rings having an axially-extending frusto-conical neck portion and the other ring having a frusto-conical collar portion detachably receiving and sealingly engaging the neck portion. Primary latching is achieved in an annular zone spaced a substantial distance radially outwardly from the area of sealing engagement between the neck and collar portions, such latching action being provided by a shoulder extending about the outer periphery of one of the rings and a latching rib, defining a shoulder-receiving recess, extending about the outer periphery of the other ring.

Abstract: A wound drainage device in the form of a flexible pouch having top and bottom walls and having pleated side walls that allow the top wall to be lifted a limited distance without transmitting appreciable lifting or tensioning forces to the bottom wall when the bottom wall is surgically apertured and secured about a wound site. The top wall includes an access opening having a flanged locking ring of flexible plastic extending thereabout. A removable closure cap is attached to the access opening, the cap having a flat rim of flexible plastic with circumferential locking ribs releasably and sealingly engaging a series of mating ribs provided by the flanged portion of the ring.

Abstract: A fecal incontinence device in the form of an elongated collection bag having an attachment ring about an opening at one end of the bag. The ring is formed of a soft, pliable, and stretchable closed-cell thermoplastic foam, and the bag is formed from a single sheet or film of thermoplastic material that, following its attachment to the ring, is folded to provide a pair of side panels extending at right angles to the plane of the ring, such panels then being heat sealed to each other along their margins to define the finished bag. The foam attachment ring has its surface coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and its inner and outer margins are non-concentric to define a relatively narrow perineal attachment zone. A plurality of release sheet sections cover the adhesive coating of the ring and are sequentially removable to facilitate effective attachment of the ring to a patient.

Abstract: A collection pouch for use by ostomates, the pouch being drainable to facilitate extended use of the pouch and including a gas venting and filtering assembly having a replaceable deodorizing filter element. A barrier film is disposed within the pouch to protect the filter element from contact with and possible obstruction by exudate. Interior wall surface areas of the double-chambered pouch are raised or embossed, and the filter assembly is internally ribbed, to insure that the pathway for the escape of gases from the pouch remains open.

Abstract: A drain assembly for a urostomy pouch or other similar collection device for permitting continuous overnight draining of the pouch into a suitable receptacle, thereby allowing the user to wear the pouch in bed without the risk of fluid leakage or the inconvenience of interrupting sleep for periodic emptying of the pouch. The assembly includes a body member adapted to be secured to a pouch at the lower end thereof and defining a path for the outflow of the fluid contents of the pouch, a rotary valve member for selectively opening and closing the flow passage, and a drainage tube equipped with a coupler for releasably engaging a stem portion of the valve member.

Abstract: An assembly for preparing imprinted inserts for hospital identification bracelets includes severable base strips of card stock divided into an identification section and a handle section, and overlaying carbon strips which are retained in position during separation of the strips and imprinting, while being readily removable after the patient information has been imprinted on the identification section by a roller or platten.