Abstract: An occlusive dressing consisting essentially of a soft, pliant, fluid absorbent adhesive barrier layer, a thin elastomeric backing layer along one side of the barrier layer, and a removable release sheet covering the opposite skin-contacting surface of the barrier layer. The release sheet is divided into two immediately adjacent separable sections disposed along opposite sides of a predetermined line of separation. Each separable section includes an extended tab which projects outward beyond a perimeter of the skin-contacting surface of the barrier layer for permitting removal of the separable sections without touching or contaminating the exposed surface of the barrier layer. When the line of separation is defined by a series of alternating slits and connecting segments which normally hold the separable sections in contiguous relation, the extended tabs facilitate tearing the separable sections apart.

Abstract: A wound dressing is disclosed that is intended to be supplied to the user in generally planar condition and may then be easily shaped to conform with a joint surface, such as a heel or elbow, without forming wrinkles in that portion of the dressing overlying the wound and without causing potential leakage channels or gaps in the border portion of the dressing surrounding the wound. The dressing includes a layer of pliant adhesive material having particles of one or more water-absorbable and swellable hydrocolloids dispersed therein and a backing layer of a flexible (preferably elastomeric) material extending over one side of the adhesive layer. The dressing is contoured to provide a continuous border in which the adhesive layer has a thickness substantially less than in the central body portion of the dressing.

Abstract: A wound dressing is disclosed in which a thin layer of a hydrocolloid-containing adhesive material is covered on one side by a flexible, transparent or semi-transparent backing film and, on the other side, by one or more removable release sheets. Linear depressions are provided along the film-backed side of the adhesive layer and are clearly visible through the backing film to serve as guide lines, flex lines, and/or hinge lines in the use of the dressing. A foldable sacral dressing embodying such features is specifically disclosed.

Abstract: An improved wound dressing having an adhesive layer (26, 426) containing one or more hydrocolloids dispersed in a viscous elastomer, a flexible water-impervious backing layer (22, 322, 422) on one side of the adhesive layer, and a removable release layer (28, 328, 428) on the adhesive layer's opposite side. The dressing includes a body portion (36) with a stair-like outer contour merging with a peripheral flange (38, 238, 338, 438) of reduced thickness. The flange (38, 238, 338, 438) is required to have a width of at least 5 mm. and the thickness of the adhesive layer of that flange is no greater than 0.5 mm., for purposes of overcoming prior problems of adhesive flow, fluid channeling, leakage, and unintentional detachment.

Abstract: An adhesive composition, and the surgical dressing of which it is a part, in which the composition takes the form of a water-absorbing and water-swellable hydrocolloid material distributed throughout the interstices of a three-dimensional, open-mesh, randomly-oriented network of flexible, water-insoluble, polymeric filaments, such filaments being surface coated by a tacky, water-insoluble adhesive material that has an adherence affinity for the filaments and that secures such coated filaments together at their points or zones of contact. When hydrated, the hydrocolloid material swells and become a gelatinous continuous phase, with the network of filaments expanding to retain the hydrated hydrocolloid material within the dressing. Despite the phase change, the water-insoluble adhesive material is also retained within the dressing because of its strong adherence to the filaments of the network.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance, and a low-profile coupling ring assembly therefor, in which the rings have relatively large flat flanges that extend in close proximity when the rings are coupled and in which the assembly has a radial/axial aspect ratio, with the radial dimension being measured outwardly from the stoma-receiving opening of the assembly, of at least 1.5 to 1, and preferably at least 2.5 to 1. One ring has an integral collar with an external latching shoulder and an annular sealing surface extending outwardly from the shoulder and merging with one of the side surfaces of the flange of that ring. The other ring includes a tapered, flexible, axially extending sealing lip that faces towards the first ring and is sealingly engagable with the sealing surface of the first ring when the rings are coupled together.

Abstract: An occlusive dressing consisting essentially of a soft, pliant, fluid absorbent and swellable adhesive barrier layer, a thin elastomeric backing layer along one side of the barrier layer, and a removable release sheet covering the opposite skin-contacting surface of the barrier layer. The release sheet is divided into at least two separable sections, adjacent sections being disposed along opposite sides of a predetermined line of separation. Each line of separation is defined by a series of alternating slits and connecting segments with the opposing edges of the slits normally held in contiguous relation by the connecting segments at the ends of the slits. At least one of the sections has a visible locator stripe extending along the line of separation for indicating the location of that line as a user prepares to separate the sections and peel them away from the barrier layer for purposes of applying the dressing.

Abstract: A method for making individual contoured wound dressings comprising: providing a supply of a thin release web (40); and protective release covering (32); removably attaching and contouring a substantially continuous strip of an adhesive material (26) between said thin release web (40) and protective release covering (32) forming a first laminate (46); transporting said first laminate (46) to a delaminating station (54) where-at said thin release web (40) is peeled from said first laminate (46); supplying an adhesive carrier (28); merging and laminating said adhesive carrier (28) to the exposed adhesive layer forming a second laminate (64); and transporting said second laminate (64) to and through a cutting Station (68) to be cut into individual wound dressings or bandages.

Abstract: A fiber-containing product based on seeds of leguminous plants comprises the cell wall ingredients of the seed, said ingredients being isolated upon previous removal of the seed coat. The product is prepared by whole seeds of leguminous plants being shelled to remove the cellulose-containing seed coat and being rinsed and steamed for bacteriological reasons are wet-ground to open the plant cells and to dissolve or suspend the starch particles, proteins, and soluble components contained in the plant cells; whereafter proteins, salts, soluble ingredients, and starch particles are removed as a filtrate through a filtration on a centrifugal sieve followed by a washing, filtration, and pressing of the resulting filter cake to increase the dry matter content before the filter cake is rasped and dried. The fiber product can be used when preparing e.g.

Abstract: The housing is mounted on and sealed around an opening in the pouch wall. The disc-like base of the housing has a central, axially extending entrance passageway aligned with the pouch opening. A portion of the base extends radially outwardly beyond the seal and has a second axial passageway therethrough. The cover of the housing defines a filter receiving recess aligned with the entrance passageway. The recess has a connecting channel extending radially therefrom. The cover is removably mounted on the base for relative rotational movement between a first position in which the connecting channel aligns with the exit passageway, so as to permit venting of the gases from the pouch, and a second position wherein the connecting channel is out of alignment with the exit passageway, closing the vent.

Abstract: A layer of plastic, either in film or coating form, is bonded to a sheet of non-woven material to form a base. When film is used, it is preferably smaller in size than the non-woven material and affixed to the top surface thereof by an acrylic adhesive. The plastic film is coated, on its exposed surface, with a layer of acrylic adhesive. When the plastic is in the form of a coating, it is bonded to the bottom surface of the non-woven material. A superabsorbent pad, smaller in size than the base, is wrapped in non-woven material and affixed to the base by the exposed adhesive layer. The remaining portion of the exposed adhesive layer forms a border around the superabsorbent pad for adhering the bandage to the skin.

Abstract: Pouch faceplate connecting rings have adhesive annular base layers with cover layers. Each cover layer has an annular portion covering the base layer and a radially extending gripping portion with a radially extending edge and a circumferentially extending tapering edge. The gripping portions are annularly offset to facilitate removal of the cover layers.

Abstract: First and second annular interengaging parts releasably connect the pouch and adhesive-backed label. A member is provided for mounting one of the parts to the label, at a normal position proximate the surface of the label. The member includes a ring-shaped section, spaced from the part, which is adapted to be affixed to the surface of the label, and an expandable section, preferably including one or more accordion-like folds, interposed between the ring-shaped section and the part, to permit the part to be displaced relative to its normal position. The member will return to its normal position unless a detachable element is inserted beneath the member to retain the part in the displaced position. The other interengaging part may be provided with a flange-like portion situated to cover the expandable section, when the parts interengage, to protect the expandable section from waste material. Auxiliary interengaging parts may be provided to prevent accidental detachment and aid in supporting the pouch.

Abstract: To prevent contact with the wound, a semi-rigid cylindrical hollow open-ended collar is mounted to an adhesive label by a flexible sheet. The sheet is sealed to the periphery of the lower end of the collar and ring-welded or adhesively attached to the surface of the label. The periphery of the sheet has an outwardly extending accordion-like section which expands to permit the label to accommodate the contours of the body. Irrigation ports may be situated in the collar wall. A drain port may be situated in the flexible sheet. The upper open end of the collar is designed to receive a removable cover which may have a transparent portion. Alternatively, the cover member may be provided with a flexible section surrounding an opening adapted to receive a catheter.

Abstract: The container has an elongated port section formed of a flexible cylindrical wall. A first tube member is lodged within the wall at a location spaced from the end thereof. A second tube member is forceably inserted within the first tube member, engaging a section of the wall therebetween. The engaged wall section may include a double wall thickness. One of the tube members is composed of substantially non-elastic material and the other is composed of relatively elastic material. The elastic member will deform so as to tightly seal the wall section. A detent may be present on one of the tube members to cooperate with a detent receiving recess on the other to enhance the strength of the seal. Any conventional drain valve or tubing can be connected to the protruding end of the second tube member.

Abstract: Adhesive pouch connecting rings with radially extending gripping portions are formed and stacked in angularly offset relation on a plurality of ostomy faceplates in a highly automated fashion. Sets of rings are die cut from a continuous adhesive coated sheet. Each set includes a plurality of spaced, identically oriented rings, in an arcuate pattern across the sheet. The sheet is intermittently advanced to bring the sets, one at a time, into alignment with faceplates located on a round platform. The platform is indexed to move the faceplates stepwise through a path coincident with the pattern of the ring sets. Each time the platform is indexed, a set of rings is removed from the sheet and the rings are placed on the respective faceplates, each in proper angular relation with the previous rings. Faceplates with a full complement of rings are removed from the platform.

Abstract: A urine collection receptacle has a body formed by walls sealed along the periphery. First and second sheets form a drape which is situated between the walls. The drape extends across the body below the inlet, with the side edges of the drape sealed along opposing sections of the periphery. The sheets are sealed to each other along spaced vertical lines to define the body of a flap valve. The vertical sealed lines are severed to detach the flap valve body from the remainder of the drape. The sheets may also be sealed along oppositely oriented, downwardly inclined lines to form a funnel to direct liquid from the inlet toward the flap valve. The structure facilitates manufacture because the drape is sealed to the receptacle body in the same automated operation which seals the periphery of the walls.

Abstract: A urine collection receptacle is detachably mounted to a brief. The weight of the receptacle is supported by the brief. The wall of the brief has an opening defined by aligned, oppositely facing rigid annular parts. The receptacle has a penis receiving opening defined by a rigid annular part which releasably engages the annular part on the exterior wall of the brief. A flexible membrane engages the penis to prevent urine back-up into the brief. The membrane may attach directly to the annular part on the interior wall of the brief or may be mounted on an annular part which releasably engages the annular part on the interior wall of the brief. The diameter of the annular parts is larger than that of the penis to enable the penis to be freely received through the parts and into the receptacle.

Abstract: A rigid, hollow cylindrical insert is designed to be located and to remain in the end portion of a deformable plastic tube. The end portion of the tube is situated between thin film layers with the insert aligned with an edge to be sealed. The assembly is placed between the mating pressure dies to be welded. In a single operation, the edges of the layers are sealed to form a pouch as the tube end portion is welded to the layers along the seam at the top of the pouch. The insert supports the tube end portion in a non-deformed state during welding. This permits an effective weld to be obtained with tubes of various structures and, particularly, very soft tubes such as ones with thin walls composed of polyvinylchloride.

Abstract: An irrigation sleeve for colostomy patients is adapted such that it can be selectively and removeably attached to any one of a plurality of different snap-on attachments, such as an irrigation attachment or a rinsing or flushing attachment. The sleeve is basically funnel-shaped so that it may more effectively direct the flow of irrigating fluid and waste material therethrough. The sleeve has an opening adapted to receive a stoma of a colostomy patient and an opening adapted to receive one of the attachments. The opening for the attachments can be moved out of alignment with the opening for the stoma in order to inhibit soiling of the attachment by irrigating fluid and waste material discharged from the stoma without requiring the attachment to be removed from the sleeve.