Abstract: A feminine hygiene product which has a tampon and a tampon applicator. The tampon applicator has a rupturable membranous cap permanently associated with a tampon holder tube. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, an outer perimeter, a longitudinal axis, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, and a second end positioned oppositely to the first end. The tampon is housed in the tampon holder tube within the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube and is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position. The rupturable membranous cap covers at least a portion of the tampon. During expulsion of the tampon from the tampon holder tube, the rupturable membranous cap reorients the tampon into a direction substantially non-aligned to the longitudinal axis of the tampon holder tube.

Abstract: A catheter suitable for use in performing peritoneal dialysis. The catheter is a dual lumen catheter which allows for continuous flow peritoneal dialysis. Dialysate flows through the catheter into the patient via one lumen and simultaneously flows through the catheter out of the patient via the second lumen. The dual lumen dialysis catheter has a flexible tube which has an implantable portion extending from an external patient portion. Both of the lumens have openings in the external patient portion for connecting to a supply and drain of dialysate, respectively. The implantable portion has a preformed curved segment which has an outlet for the first lumen to flow dialysate into the patient's peritoneal cavity. The implantable portion has an opening for the second lumen at the distal end to flow dialysate out of the peritoneal cavity and removal from the patient.

Abstract: A drug delivery system detects a cardiac condition indicative of a need for increasing a cardiac metabolic level and, in response, releases a drug into tissue or blood to shift a source of metabolically synthesized energy fueling cardiac contraction from fatty acid to glucose. One example of such a system includes an implantable device detecting an ischemia and a transdermal drug delivery device delivering a drug when an ischemic condition is detected. Another example of such a system includes one or more implantable devices detecting a predefined change in cardiac metabolic level and delivering a drug when the change is detected. Such systems are applied to treat, for example, patients suffering ischemia and/or heart failure and patients having suffered myocardial infarction.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for delivering a therapeutic substance to a delivery site in a patient. A reservoir holds a supply of the fluid therapeutic substance. A catheter has a proximal end, a delivery region and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the delivery region. The proximal end of the catheter is operatively coupled to the reservoir. The delivery region of the catheter is adapted to be placed proximate the delivery site in the patient. The therapeutic substance is adapted to be delivered through the lumen to the patient. A sensing device is operatively coupled with the lumen of the catheter being capable of detecting a pressure of the therapeutic substance in the lumen. A controller is operatively coupled to the sensing device, the controller being capable of taking an action in response to the pressure in the lumen.

Abstract: A needleless syringe for subcutaneously delivering a therapeutic agent comprising a generally constant diameter elongate tubular nozzle and an inert gas reservoir thereto is described herein. The reservoir is advantageously mounted to the upstream end of the tubular nozzle through a contraction that is either gradual or sudden and wherein a membrane is positioned between the reservoir and the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A feeding device especially for facilitating the transition from non-oral tube feeding to oral feeding is disclosed. The device comprises a fluid reservoir-having a fluid outlet, a nipple having a fluid outlet, a conduit for conveying fluid from the reservoir to the nipple fluid outlet and a manually adjustable valve that includes a manually settable selector to control the flow of fluid through the conduit and to vary it from zero flow to substantial flow. The device may include a shield associated with the nipple.

Abstract: The present invention concerns vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which has utility in the treatment of intimal hyperplasia, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and of conditions susceptible to treatment with agents that produce nitric oxide or prostacyclin. Instead of VEGF, an equivalent agent such as an agonist of VEGF receptors may be given, as may nucleic acid encoding such an agonist. The agent may successfully be administered via the adventitial surface of a blood vessel, e.g., using a device which defines a reservoir between the body wall and the vessel's adventitial surface, the reservoir being at least part-filled by a pharmaceutical formulation containing the agent to be delivered.

Abstract: A single-use syringe includes a barrel having front and rear passageways and a shoulder disposed there between, a plunger movable in the rear passageway, a carrier having a tail portion extending from a front end wall of the plunger, and pushing and retained regions formed forwardly of the tail portion, and a deformable sealing member in fluid-tight and slidable engagement with the barrel. The sealing member includes an inner surrounding wall surface with a yielding segment engaging the pushing region, and a retaining segment in frictional engagement with the retained region by a frictional force so as to confine a fluid-tight surrounding area. The frictional force is diminished when the yielding segment is depressed by the pushing region so as to facilitate release of the retained region from the retaining segment, thereby disrupting the fluid-tightness of the surrounding area and rendering the syringe unreusable.

Abstract: A medical tubing anchor includes a flexible anchor member and a base support having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side. The flexible anchor member is a generally elongated rectangular solid having two elongated sides, two ends, a base, and a top. The anchor base of the anchor member is mounted on the base support non-adhesive side. The anchor member includes a plurality of stations defined by passageways transversing the anchor member and extending from the anchor member top towards the anchor member base. At least one tube holder having a generally cylindrical cross-section is located along the passageway in each of the stations for receiving medical tubing. The tube holders extend from one elongated side of the anchor member to the other elongated side. A keeper on the anchor member keeps medical tubing disposed in the stations from inadvertent release.

Abstract: A safety device for a needle is provided. The device includes a spring biased sheath which acts to cover the needle before and after use. The safety device also includes a spring biased lock which is operable to lock the sheath in a safe position unless the biasing force of the lock is countered by a user.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, therby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having laterally opposing interiorly attached barrier cuff strips and at least one deployable belt strip. Each barrier cuff strip is attached to an interior surface of an absorbent assembly and has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The belt strip has a fixed end portion and opposing first and second edges connecting the fixed end portion and an opposing free end portion. The belt strip is attached in the fixed end portion and is deployed by being folded laterally outward such that the first edge extends laterally outward from one end point of a diagonal fold line and the second edge extends laterally outward from the opposing end point of the diagonal fold line. The belt strip may be tied to another belt strip or may be fastened to the waist region of the article or to another belt strip.

Abstract: A method for identifying the site of an operation during an operation, in particular using a laser system, with the help of unique data about the operation site. A first copy of the unique data is stored in a laser system, the unique data being located in the vicinity of the operation site and/or directly at said operation site. Before the start of the operation, the first copy and the unique data are compared to verify if they are identical and the result of said verification is forwarded to the laser system. In addition a device for identifying an operation site during an operation includes a laser system having a storage unit for storing data and a reading unit configured to determine unique data about the operation site and to provide a first copy of the unique data to the storage unit. The device also includes a comparator device operably connected to the storage device and configured to compare the first copy and the unique data for identity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for distracting two vertebral bodies and delivering a flowable material into the disc space, comprising a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a shape adapted to distract, the body also having a longitudinal bore defining a first outlet port in the distal portion, and a first injection port in the proximal portion.

Abstract: The invention includes a tendon stripper comprising: (a) a frame, including a cautery, that is adapted to separate surrounding tissue along a length of a tendon; (b) a handle mounted to the frame that is adapted to reposition the frame with respect to the tendon; and (c) an actuator in communication with the cautery and operative to activate the cautery, where activation of the cautery is adapted to sever the tendon.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. A cannula is inserted to create a working channel through the skin and tissue of a patient using a transforaminal approach to the disc space. A viewing element is used to visualize working end of the cannula and the disc space. A facetectomy is performed through the working channel to access the disc space. The disc space is prepared with various instruments, such as distractors, shims, chisels and distractor-cutters that extend through the working channel. At least implant is inserted into the disc space. The procedure allows bi-lateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with the at least one implant inserted via a unitary, minimally invasive approach to disc space.

Abstract: A multi-part intervertebral endoprosthesis includes a top closure plate, a bottom closure plate, a sliding core between the closure plates, each closure plate having a pair of receiving openings or projections, and an insertion instrument which has a handgrip area and a gripping area with retention projections or openings which, in order to hold the intervertebral endoprosthesis on the insertion instrument, can be engaged in the receiving openings or projections. The receiving openings are arranged in lateral side faces of the intervertebral endoprosthesis, and at least the pair of receiving openings on one of the closure plates has an extended shape extending in the direction toward the other closure plate. In this way, without making changes to the insertion instrument, intervertebral endoprostheses with sliding cores of different thicknesses can be held securely and with the guarantee that they are correct positioned within the insertion instrument.

Abstract: An insertion device for an intra-ocular lens (IOL) has a bilaminar, lubricious coating on the surface which contacts the IOL as it is being inserted into the eye. The bilaminar coating includes a highly lubricious top coat, and a polymeric base coat which is both highly adherent to the surface of the insertion device, and which has functional groups capable of grafting the base coat to the top coat. In its completed form, the bilaminar coating is essentially permanent, and exceedingly lubricious when wet, allowing the IOL to be advanced smoothly and without damage through the insertion device. The top coat may include hyaluronan, or another material capable of providing the required lubricity.

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least two skin-contacting elements, the elements having narrow end faces and a mounting assembly for holding the elements closely adjacent to each other. A driving assembly reciprocally moves one element relative to the adjacent element(s) at a frequency that produces an action on the pores of the skin to loosen sebaceous plugs present in the pores, by permitting their ready removal from the skin.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening in tissue, such as an opening in heart tissue, may include moving a housing to a location in proximity to the opening, registering the housing to the opening, and deploying a staple from the housing into tissue in proximity to the opening. The opening in heart tissue may be a patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect, or other opening. The housing may be moved to the opening through the vasculature, utilizing a guidewire, steering catheter, or other mechanism.

Abstract: An instrument for applying a suture to a trocar wound includes an obturator coupled to a central shaft and a coaxially disposed skin pressure plate. The obturator and skin pressure plate are movable relative to each other, and function together to position the tissue and needles relative to each other. The skin pressure plate is provided with two spaced apart needle guides. A pair of hollow needles, held in the guides of the pressure plate are coupled to a needle mounting plate which is movable over the central shaft. One of the needles is provided with a suture control mechanism for moving a suture through the needle and the other needle is provided with a snare control mechanism for moving a snare through the needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an obturator tip having a rigid, elongated, distal section having a blunt, rounded, distal end designed to separate tissue. The distal section is connected to a proximal section by a central section having tapered outer surfaces. The obturator tip of the present invention is equipped with arc shaped blades positioned on opposite sides of the tip and 180 degrees apart from each other. In one embodiment, the arc shaped blades are positioned rearwardly with respect to the distal section of the obturator. This feature of the present invention allows the elongated distal section to create a small, non-cutting tissue separating track prior to blade contact with the patient.

Abstract: A method for puncturing a proximal membrane without puncturing a second, distal membrane is provided. The method comprises distally advancing an elongated body through an elongated tubular member to a first position where a distal end of the elongated body is in a first configuration. In the first configuration, the distal end of the elongated body is positioned outside the distal end of the elongated tubular member. The distal end of the elongated body has a distal tip, in this first configuration, that is sufficiently rigid and sharp to puncture the first, proximal membrane. From this first configuration, the distal tip of the elongated body is slightly advanced puncture the first, proximal membrane. After puncturing the first, proximal membrane, the elongated body is advanced through the punctured proximal membrane whereby the distal tip of the elongated body moves into a second configuration.

Abstract: A semi-stationary balloon in the gastric antrum provided with an anchoring rod for inducing weight reduction in human beings is disclosed, a device for inducing a lesser appetite and early prandial satiety, said balloon being made of inflatable per-os medical grade silicone having a volume of up to 240 ml, with an average space of 120 ml to be filled with non-elastic fluid provided with radio-opaque contrast and dye, preferably methylene blue, so that the maximum diameter of 8 cm is reached after it is filled up with a volume of up to 240 ml and the average diameter of 6 cm with a volume of 120 ml, to be endoscopically placed inside the stomach (E); said intra-gastric balloon (1) being positioned in a semi-stationary way in the gastric antrum (GAC) and provided with an anchoring or duodenal rod (2) having a distal counter-weight (5) installed in the duodenum (D); particularly, the inner face of the pear-shaped medium portion of lesser diameter is coated with a malleable ribbon (f) that provides said balloon (

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel, wherein a vascular filter is disposed on a guide wire, the vascular filter having a support hoop disposed from a suspension strut so as to permit lateral eccentric displacement of the support hoop relative to a longitudinal axis of the guide wire. A blood permeable sac is affixed to the support hoop to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The support hoop is disposed obliquely relative to the guide wire and is capable of being properly used in a wide range of vessel diameters. The support hoop collapses the mouth of the blood permeable sac during removal of the vascular filter to prevent material from escaping from the sac. A delivery sheath and introducer sheath for use with the vascular filter of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: An intravascular filter device comprising a frame having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the frame comprising a plurality of elongate members each having a proximal end and a distal end, and a proximal region and a distal region and being fixedly connected at the proximal end to each other; and a filter having an open end and a closed end disposed on the frame; wherein the elongate members have a bend distal the proximal region and a helical curve over a substantial length of the distal region when the elongate members are in the open configuration.

Abstract: A ligature device for body parts, with a closure housing, having a base wall, two lateral walls, a cover wall on the upper side thereof and a ligature strap, which may be coupled or is detachably coupled at one end of the closure housing, by a clipping buckle which may be introduced from the rear between an intermediate wall and the cover wall. The above is run or may be run with the other free end thereof between a rocker, pivotably mounted on the base wall and an intermediate wall, arranged at a separation above, through the closure housing, to form a loop and may be clamped by the rocker against a front section of the intermediate wall, connected to the closure housing. Easy manipulation is achieved with a simple construction, whereby the intermediate wall includes a sprung section, projecting from the upper side, by which the rear section of the clipping buckle is raised and pressed, in the assembled state, with the back upper face thereof against a counter support, fixed to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. In one embodiment, a minimally invasive surgical instrument comprises an elongate shaft having a working end, a proximal end, and a shaft axis between the working end and the proximal end; and an end effector. A wrist member has a flexible tube including an axis extending through an interior surrounded by a wall. The wall of the flexible tube includes a plurality of lumens oriented generally parallel to the axis of the flexible tube. The wrist member has a proximal portion connected to the working end of the elongate shaft and a distal portion connected to the end effector.

Abstract: A toggling suture anchor, insertion tool, and method for anchoring at least one suture thread to a bone are provided. The toggling suture anchor is anchored by operation of the insertion tool, the suture anchor including a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end, at least one eyelet hole to receive the suture thread, and at least one suture groove to provide a location to guide the suture thread while inserting the suture anchor into the bone; and at least one locking wing extending radially from the shaft, the locking wing being provided on one side of a first plane, the first plane including the longitudinal axis of the suture anchor.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: A graft system for intraluminal delivery in a vessel in need of repair comprising a graft, anchoring means, and a strippable sheath around at least part of the graft. A preferred anchoring means is a balloon-expandable stent. Also included in the invention is a method of using the device to treat a body lumen. The strippable sheath is removable by pulling on a drawstring to remove it which permits expansion of the graft. The positioning of the device may then be adjusted prior to stent dilation. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a bifurcated graft system for intraluminal delivery in an aortic aneurysm comprising a bifurcated graft having a distal region and two legs, an expandable stent disposed in part of the distal region, and a strippable crocheted sheath around the distal region and one of the two legs. The strippable crocheted sheath is removable by untying it to permit expansion of the graft after initial placement within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient utilizes a temporary valve. In one embodiment, an inflatable structure of a temporary valve is inflated at a cardiovascular site in fluid communication with a native valve. At least a portion of the native valve is removed translumenally. A prosthetic valve is deployed to compliment or replace a native valve. The temporary valve is removed.

Abstract: A heart valve constructed from a synthetic resin that is designed to be surgically implanted in the right ventricular outflow tract of the heart, comprising a plurality of flexible members, and an orifice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heart prosthesis/artificial heart comprising a series of drawing and pressing devices. The prosthesis/artificial heart is to be implanted in a patient to replace the pumping activity of a heart. The heart comprises at least two compartments (5, 6, 12, 13, 25, 26, 27, 28), substantially surrounded by a rigid-wall provided house (2, 3, 31). The house contains a number of drawing and/or pressing devices (10, 48, 50), which are partly fixedly attached to the rigid-wall provided house (2, 3, 31) and are partly fixedly attached to a flexible, elastic wall layer (7, 30) arranged in a respective compartment. The drawing and/or pressing devices (10, 48, 50) are arranged to draw the elastic wall layers (7, 30) towards the rigid-wall provided house (2, 3, 31) for filling the compartments (12, 13, 27, 28).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implant that can be placed between two adjacent vertebral bodies using a lateral insertion method. The implant is characterized as having a first end plate and a second end plate which a crossbar spacer therebetween. The crossbar spacer preferably fits within a channel on the inner surfaces of the first end plate and the second end plate, whereby the spacer allows pivots, twisting and/or rotational movement of the spine. The first end plate and the second end plate include a keel extending therefrom, whereby the keel traverses longitudinally between a first lateral side and a second opposed lateral side and is substantially perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the patient's spine.

Abstract: An interbody spacer assembly includes a pair of end pieces spaced apart by a connector extending between them. The end pieces extend generally parallel to the end plates of adjoining vertebral bodies. Fasteners connect the end pieces to the vertebral bodies. Bone graft material or solid bone can be placed in the interior space defined by the end pieces and connector, which bone graft material or solid bone eventually fuses together and to the adjoining end plates through the end pieces.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A urethral prosthesis with prostatic and bulbar segments connected by two types of ties allows the prosthesis to assume at least two configurations different with inter-segmental distances adapted to situations where the patient either has or does not have normal control of the external sphincter. This is particularly useful for a patient undergoing an anesthetic procedure that affects the external sphincter muscles. When the muscles are anesthetized, the prosthesis may provide constant urine voiding, and when the anesthetic effects wear off, the prosthesis may assume a different configuration to allow the sphincter to reassert control over urinary voiding.

Abstract: The colorant for keratin fibers contains direct and/or oxidative dyes as well as a perfume system consisting of an encapsulated perfume and an unencapsulated perfume of the same composition. The ratio of encapsulated perfume to unencapsulated perfume is equal to about 0.5:3 to 3:0.5. The perfume system is used for removing or masking the unpleasant odor of alkalinizing agents in the colorant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for blocking dye-migration in printing onto colored synthetic fiber and a printing process onto colored synthetic fiber using the method. More particularly, the present invention provides a composition for blocking dye-migration in printing on colored synthetic fiber containing activated carbon as an active ingredient and provides a transfer paper comprising a resin layer containing activated carbon to block dyes in the synthetic fiber from migration.

Abstract: A method of burning noble metals in high-pressure water using hydrogen and oxygen to produce noble metal micro-dispersion water in which super-fine noble metal particles are dispersed, and use the obtained noble metal micro-dispersion water to treat fiber products in order to provide high-function fiber products, typically clothes, which offer excellent health-promoting function and cleanliness-improving function.

Abstract: A porous aluminum anode is used in a capacitor. The porous anode is constructed by a solid freeform fabrication (SFF) process and has a plurality of pores. Each of the plurality of pores has a pore size. An electrolyte is infiltrated in the plurality of pores. An oxide layer is formed on the aluminum surface to provide a dielectric for the capacitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an economical method for efficiently drying the plant-derived biomass for which there has been no established method for disposal and reuse. This drying method does not impair the value of plant-derived biomass as a fuel. Disclosed also herein is a method for producing a biomass fuel from the plant-derived biomass which has been dried by the aforesaid method. The drying method consists of dehydrating (drying) plant-derived biomass in oil with heating and modifying it simultaneously. Drying in this way partly decomposes the plant-derived biomass, thereby yielding a good constituent for biomass fuel.

Abstract: A ceramics sintered material cutting tool, characterizing in that it has a dislocation structure which formed on the surface thereof in a straight line from and distributed uniformity in a dislocation density of 1×104 to 9×1013 cm?2. The cutting tool is improved in a fracture toughness value and the resistance to thermal shock and thus has a prolonged life. The above cutting tools include, in particular, a twist drill and a throw away tip.

Abstract: A dust collecting filter such as a honeycomb-type industrial filter for the industrial filtering of gas containing solid particles is provided. The filter includes a plurality of collateral inlet and outlet channels separated by shared filtering boundaries. The inlet channels coalesce at both their extremities into opposite inlet plenums, and the outlet channels similarly coalesce into an outlet plenum at at least one of their extremities. The filter is easily cleanable by flow reversal without dead-end accumulation of particles in the inlet channels since they do not have any dead-end.

Abstract: A device for an axial cyclone (1) of the kind which is used for separating a fluid from a gas, where the gas flowing through the axial cyclone (1), primarily in the axial direction of the axial cyclone (1) assigns a rotation around the centre axis (12) of the axial cyclone (1), and where the axial cyclone (1) comprises in the flow direction of the fluid an inlet pipe (2), a transitional part (4) and a downstream pipe (6) where the downstream pipe (6) is supplied with a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet pipe.

Abstract: A filter device adapted for filtering fluids flowing one of into or out of a fluid duct. In one embodiment, the filter device comprises a container having one or more walls, wherein at least one of the walls is at least partially rigid and a first opening and a filter element mounted in the first opening so that the filter element forms at least a portion of one of the walls. The one or more container and the interior face of the filter element define an interior adapted for collecting contaminants in a fluid flowing out of the fluid duct. The container further comprises a second opening adapted for sealingly and removably connecting the filter device to the fluid duct so as to provide fluid communication between the interior of the filter device and the fluid duct, wherein the second opening is further adapted for being closed when the filter device is removed from the fluid duct.

Abstract: A filtration device adapted for adjustably interlocking with adjacent filtration devices in a filter bank, wherein inversely disposed flaps on opposing sidewalls, such us an upper flap disposed along a first sidewall and a lower flap disposed along an opposing sidewall, overlap to interlock and prevent air flow between adjacent filters. Each flap may comprise a single member, or may include multiple folded sections, and may be color coded or provided with installation instructions, may be manufactured integrally with an air filter frame, or may be formed separately and adhered to the frame prior to filter installation, and a flap may also include an adhesive for adhering interlocking flaps together.

Abstract: In a fan filter unit for filtering and continuously supplying clean air into a clean room, the fan filter unit includes a chemical filter for removing chemical contaminants contained in the air, a fan for sucking and blowing out the air, and a particle filter for removing particles such as dusts and moisture contained in the air. A filter medium of the chemical filter has a circular tube shape and is disposed between an inner circular tube and an outer circular tube. A cover is detachably combined with top portions of the inner and the outer circular tubes, and prevents air flow through the top portions of the inner and outer circular tubes. The air is sucked only through the outer circular tube, the chemical filter and the inner circular tube by a suction force of the fan. Accordingly, velocity distribution of the air passing through the chemical filter may be improved and lifetime of the chemical filter may be increased.

Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device 10 that comprises a mask body 12 that has a structure 35 located on it for receiving a clean air supply source such as a filter cartridge 14. The clean air receiving structure 35 has a first threaded portion 34. The clean air supply source has a second threaded portion 58 that has a thread 60 that mates with a thread 36 of the first threaded portion 34. The first and second threaded portions 34 and 58 engage each other at a high thread pitch and include an integral détente. A stop prevents over-rotation of the clean air supply source 14 relative to the mask body 12 during the securement operation. The inventive device allows the clean air supply source 14 to be attached to the mask body 12 with minimal rotation and is sufficiently intuitive that users may only need one hand to attach and replace the clean air source component 14 without having to remove the respirator 10 from their face.