Abstract: A drainable ostomy pouch having sidewalls of flexible sheet material defining a cavity therebetween and a downwardly-extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening that is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by unfolding the neck portion downwardly. Each of the sidewalls of the neck portion is provided with a transversely-extending bias member that is formed of stiff but flexible, springlike plastic material. The bias members are normally flat so as to be in straight parallel closed condition but are openable under inwardly-directed finger pressure applied to their opposite ends to cause them to bow outwardly away from each other.

Abstract: A convex adapter for ostomy appliances is disclosed, the adapter including an adapter ring formed entirely of a soft, tacky, moisture-absorbent and swellable, hydrocolloid-containing adhesive material, one that retains its integrity on hydration and is shape-recoverable when compressive forces are removed, and a thin substantially non-stretchable cover film extending over and beyond the convex bodyside surface of that ring. The film is removably attached to the ring and is preferably transparent (or translucent) so that at least the outline of the ring may be seen through it. A flexible but substantially non-stretchable release sheet is removably attached to the opposite pouchside surface of the ring and may be peeled away from the ring during an initial step in the use of the product.

Abstract: A drainable ostomy pouch having at least one arcuate spring member, and preferably two such spring members, adjacent the discharge opening at the lower end of the pouch is disclosed. Each wall of the pouch with such arcuate spring member is normally bowed outwardly from the other wall to hold the discharge opening in open condition for draining of the pouch's contents. To seal the discharge opening, the lower end of the pouch is folded upwardly to force the spring member(s) into flattened condition, and the pouch's lower end is then secured in such upwardly-folded condition.

Abstract: A monolithic corrector plate for an interferometer, includes a substrate having an input face for intercepting a first beam emitted by the interferometer, and an output face opposite the input face. An aperture integral with the substrate is configured to transform a first beam intercepted by the input face into a second beam emerging from the output face.

Abstract: A network management tool is programmed to automatically: discover printing devices on a network; record information about the discovered printing devices in a main device list; and organize at least a portion of the information from the main device list, into one or more secondary device lists based upon criteria that define each of the one or more secondary device lists.

Abstract: A snap-in insert is disclosed for use with the faceplate of an ostomy appliance. The faceplate includes a convex pressure ring and an adhesive barrier pad or wafer that extends over the convex surface of that ring. The insert has an apertured support wall that is flexible but sufficiently stiff to support and thereby brace the barrier pad about the faceplate's stoma-receiving opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular packaging, especially for dry food stuff, which contains the product in a plastic tube that is closed by welding, whereby the packaging comprises a tearing aid which is located in the area of a weld seam. The packaging is also provided with a label whose side facing the weld seam is configured as a curved tearing edge which is suited for intercepting a tear, said tear starting from the tearing aid, and for guiding the same to the edge of the packaging.

Abstract: A drainable ostomy pouch having sidewalls of flexible sheet material defining a cavity therebetween and a downwardly-extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening that is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by unfolding the neck portion downwardly. Each of the sidewalls of the neck portion is provided with a transversely-extending bias member that is formed of stiff but flexible, springlike plastic material. The bias members are normally flat so as to be in straight parallel closed condition but are openable under inwardly-directed finger pressure applied to their opposite ends to cause them to bow outwardly away from each other.

Abstract: A convex adapter for ostomy appliances, including an adapter ring formed entirely of soft, moisture-absorbent, hydrocolloid-containing adhesive material that retains its integrity on hydration and is shape-recoverable, and a thin stretchable cover film (preferably transparent or translucent) removably covering and extending over and beyond the ring's convex bodyside surface. A flexible but substantially non-stretchable release sheet is removably attached to the opposite pouchside surface of the ring and may be peeled away from the ring during an initial step in the use of the product. With the release sheet so removed, a user may grasp adapter ring and its cover film and reform the ring so that its opening is sized and shaped to match a patient's stoma, after which the reformed adapter ring is adhered to the adhesive faceplate of an ostomy appliance, the cover film is removed, and the combination faceplate/adapter is adhesively secured to a patient's peristomal skin surfaces.

Abstract: A snap-in insert is disclosed for use with the faceplate of an ostomy appliance. The faceplate includes a convex pressure ring and an adhesive barrier pad or wafer that extends over the convex surface of that ring. The insert has an apertured support wall that is flexible but sufficiently stiff to support and thereby brace the barrier pad about the faceplate's stoma-receiving opening.

Abstract: A convex adapter for ostomy appliances is disclosed, the adapter including an adapter ring formed entirely of a soft, tacky, moisture-absorbent and swellable, hydrocolloid-containing adhesive material, one that retains its integrity on hydration and is shape-recoverable when compressive forces are removed, and a thin substantially non-stretchable cover film extending over and beyond the convex bodyside surface of that ring. The film is removably attached to the ring and is preferably transparent (or translucent) so that at least the outline of the ring may be seen through it. A flexible but substantially non-stretchable release sheet is removably attached to the opposite pouchside surface of the ring and may be peeled away from the ring during an initial step in the use of the product.

Abstract: A drainable ostomy pouch having at least one arcuate spring member, and preferably two such spring members, adjacent the discharge opening at the lower end of the pouch is disclosed. Each wall of the pouch with such arcuate spring member is normally bowed outwardly from the other wall to hold the discharge opening in open condition for draining of the pouch's contents. To seal the discharge opening, the lower end of the pouch is folded upwardly to force the spring member(s) into flattened condition, and the pouch's lower end is then secured in such upwardly-folded condition.

Abstract: An elongate rectilinear strip of skin barrier material is disclosed, such strip being of generally uniform triangular cross section through its length, such triangle having at least two, and preferably three, unequal sides. The strip may be cut to desired length and formed, stretched and/or molded by a user into a generally circular shape or into some other shape that extends about and follows the outline of a wound or stoma.

Abstract: A monolithic corrector plate for an interferometer, includes a substrate having an input face for intercepting a first beam emitted by the interferometer, and an output face opposite the input face. An aperture integral with the substrate is configured to transform a first beam intercepted by the input face into a second beam emerging from the output face.

Abstract: A method and ultra-compact system has been developed for illuminating and detecting the surface topography of an object such as the finger (4) of an individual. The system (8) is capable of producing high-contrast images which can be electronically transmitted in real-time, or stored using electronic or photographic recording devices. Light traveling within a light transmitting substrate (2) is redirected by a slanted-fringed light diffractive grating preferably embodied within a volume hologram (3). The volume hologram (3), either of the reflection or transmission type, is attached to the light transmitting substrate (2). and functions to diffract light striking thereupon and illuminate an object having topographical surface structure. After being spatially and intensity modulated in accordance with topographical details of the illuminated object, the insulated light passes back through the light transmitting substrate (2) and the volume hologram (3), onto an image detection array. for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: An external catheter for a male urinary incontinence collection system is disclosed, the catheter taking the form of a tubular sheath of soft elastic material having a thin-walled cylindrical section, a reduced drainage tube section, and an intermediate section merging with both the drainage tube and cylindrical sections. The sheath also includes a thin elastic annular flap extending inwardly from the sheath's inner surface where the intermediate and cylindrical sections merge. The flap has an inner end defining a generally circular opening of a critical size in relation to the inside diameter of cylindrical section and the length of the intermediate section.

Abstract: A compact system for producing high contrast and high resolution images of a topographical surface associated with an object. The system utilizes a novel holographic optical element to produce images of topographical surfaces differentiating between ridges and valleys, and providing image details of artifacts. The system of the present invention can be realized in the form of a hand-held instrument for use in in vivo imaging of fingerprint, skin tissue and the like.

Abstract: Process for the production of cell mass and/or fermentation products under sterile conditions, during which the fermentation mixture, at least at times, is recycled and the metabolic products of the cultivated cells, and possibly the cell mass are separated; the process comprises the following steps:charging the fermentation equipment with a sufficient amount of nutrient medium to start the required cell culture.

Abstract: A method and ultra-compact system has been developed for illuminating and detecting the surface topography of an object such as the finger of an individual. The system is capable of producing high-contrast images which can be electronically transmitted in real-time, or stored using electronic or photographic recording devices. Light traveling within a light transmitting substrate is redirected by a slanted-fringe light diffractive grating preferably embodied within a volume hologram. The volume hologram, either of the reflection or transmission type, is attached to the light transmitting substrate, and functions to diffract light striking thereupon and illuminate an object having topographical surface structure. After being spatially and intensity modulated in accordance with topographical details of the illuminated object, the modulated light passes back through the light transmitting substrate and the volume hologram, onto an image detection array, for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed, one component being a collection pouch and the other an adhesive faceplate for peristomal attachment to a patient. The two components are provided with coupling rings for mechanically and detachably joining them together. One of the rings has a bead-providing collar and a rocking wedge body as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,008. The other ring is of channel-shaped cross section having spaced concentric inner and outer side walls each provided with ribs positioned in direct opposition and extending into the channel along a single plane normal to the axis of that ring. In a preferred embodiment, the rib of the outer wall is interrupted to provide at least one wide notch or recess and an integral pull tab projects radially outwardly from the outer wall at the location of the notch for initiating either partial or complete separation of the rings during use of the appliance.