Abstract: An ostomy pouch is disclosed in which a flexible, shape-recoverable plastic dome is secured internally to a wall of the pouch over a vent opening. A peripheral portion of the dome spaced from the apex is provided with at least one slit therethrough traversing a radially and axially extending plane of the dome. The slit is curved or arched towards the apex and defines outer and inner lips that normally have their opposing edges in juxtaposition to restrain the escape of gases from the pouch but permit such escape in quantity when the apical portion of the dome is depressed (by axially squeezing the dome). The lips advantageously have beveled opposing surfaces with the surface of the outer lip generally facing towards the vent opening and that of the inner lip generally facing away from the vent opening.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance is provided in which a thermoplastic convex pressure ring also functions as a belt-attachment ring. The pressure ring is directly and sealingly secured on its convex side to an adhesive faceplate and is also directly and sealingly secured on its opposite side to a collection pouch. Only two annular attachment zones, either in the form of heat seals or adhesive seals, are required to secure the pouch, pressure ring and faceplate together.

Abstract: The combination of an external male catheter and an applicator to facilitate properly fitting the catheter on a patient, as well as the methods of use and making, are disclosed. The catheter is preferably of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,409 and the applicator takes the form of a relatively rigid open-ended tube and a flexible, torous-shaped sleeve that continuously and rotatably surrounds the wall of the tube and slides easily against the outer and inner surfaces of the tube. A user applies the catheter by gripping and pulling the exposed outlet section of the catheter to extract the catheter from one end of the applicator tube while the interior surfaces of the catheter sheath at the opposite end of the applicator tube are in contact with the penis.

Abstract: The combination of an external male catheter and an applicator to facilitate properly fitting the catheter on a patient, as well as the methods of use and making, are disclosed. The catheter is preferably of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,540,409 and the applicator takes the form of a relatively rigid open-ended tube and a flexible, torous-shaped sleeve that continuously and rotatably surrounds the wall of the tube and slides easily against the outer and inner surfaces of the tube. A user applies the catheter by gripping and pulling the exposed outlet section of the catheter to extract the catheter from one end of the applicator tube while the interior surfaces of the catheter sheath at the opposite end of the applicator tube are in contact with the penis.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed having a faceplate component and a pouch component, the faceplate component including a flexible attachment ring having an annular outer flange portion and an inner collar portion for insertion into the side opening of the pouch component when the two are releasably joined together. The flushable pouch has a pair of side walls joined together along their outer margins with each wall comprising a primary layer of strong but water-soluble material and a protective inner layer of relatively weak but water-insoluble material. When the components are adhesively joined together, the protective collar of the faceplate attachment ring extends into the side opening of the pouch to shield the edge (or edges) of the water-soluble layer (or layers) from exposure to fluids and other matter discharged through the stoma-receiving opening of the faceplate into the pouch, thereby protecting the water-soluble layer(s) from premature disintegration.

Abstract: The combination of an external male catheter and an applicator to facilitate properly fitting the catheter on a patient, as well as the method for doing so, are disclosed. The catheter is preferably of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,409 and the applicator takes the form of a relatively rigid open-ended tube and a flexible tubular drawsleeve formed of substantially non-stretchable material that slides easily against the surfaces of the tube. The drawsleeve includes a first portion disposed within the applicator tube and surrounding the neck and drainage tube portions of the catheter therein, a second portion extending a substantial distance outwardly (axially) from the interior of the tube at one end thereof, and a third portion interposed between the outer surface of the tube and the cylindrical body of the catheter.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance comprising a pouch component and a faceplate component. The faceplate component has disposed thereon a dual-state, bistable coupling ring with a latching member for sealingly engaging the periphery of an opening in the pouch component. The coupling ring has an annular base defining a central opening and a contact face thereon surrounding the central opening. An annular collar extends from the base and a bistable latching member is joined to the collar along an annular hinge line, the latching member providing a contact surface and being pivotable about said hinge line.

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.