Abstract: The invention relates to a variable tension chest support for use by patients having undergone thoracic surgery. The chest support may be worn directly on the skin of a patient and comprises a band of stretchable material and one or more grips which are wholly or partially concealed within pockets with which the patient may alter the tension of the chest encircling band. The device allows a patient to modify the level of tension applied to the chest, thus managing the recovery process, while providing a basic level of support at all times the support is in use.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing supplemental support to the arm and/or elbow region of an individual. In one exemplary implementation, a brace for a user's arm is provided comprising a rigid element including arm-engaging portions and a strap of flexible material configured to encircle the arm. Moreover, the exemplary rigid element and strap may be further characterized in that the strap comprises an elastic nature or portion that provides a force (such as a compressive or constraining force) to the user's arm, the arm-engaging portions include muscle/tendon-engaging regions that each engage the user's arm along a leading face/edge, with various leading faces/edges corresponding to the muscle/tendon-engaging regions being positioned in relationship with each other to apply a desired pressure or force to the user's arm.

Abstract: A compression bandaging system includes inner and outer bandages. The inner bandage is an inner skin facing, elongated, elastic bandage and includes an elongated, elastic substrate and an elongated foam layer affixed to a face of the substrate. The outer bandage is an outer, elongated, self-adhering elastic bandage having a compressive force when extended. In use, the outer bandage overlies the inner bandage.

Abstract: An article of apparel adapted to provide a compressive pressure to reduce lymphedema, the pressure configured to direct edema in a direction, wherein the apparel may be a garment adapted to be worn on an upper body portion of a user and may include a body portion, arm portions, and a neck portion, the body portion including a front portion, a back portion, and chest wall portions, wherein, the front, back, and chest wall portions may be adapted to encircle the torso of a user and provide compressive pressure, the arm portions including sleeve portions and underarm portions wherein the sleeve and underarm portions may be adapted to encircle the arms of a user and provide compressive pressure. Using the article of apparel as or in a method of reducing lymphedema is encompassed.

Abstract: Methods of use of a multi-layer wrap, for providing more comfortable gel treatment to skin and pressure therapy for underlying skin, the wrap allowing for migration of moisture away from the skin while providing compressive musculo-skeletal support to the treatment site.

Abstract: A self adhesive medical wrap whose outer layer is moisture impervious. The inside layer is non-woven, moisture pervious and is made of wood cellulose fiber and a superabsorbent material called polyacrylate. Additional synthetic materials include polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene to reduce leakage from the wound. The edges of the wrap consist of synthetic rubber strands for a closer fit. The bandage consists of three reclosable fasteners. They are the loop and hook system fasteners and contain no adhesives.

Abstract: A multi-layer wrap, and method of use, for providing more comfortable gel treatment to skin and pressure therapy for underlying skin, the wrap allowing for migration of moisture away from the skin while providing compressive musculo-skeletal support to the treatment site.

Abstract: A multi-layer wrap, for providing more comfortable gel treatment to skin while providing orthopedic support having a first layer of gel for contacting the skin and a second layer of an elastic and supportive loop portion of a hook and loop fastener, the wrap allowing for migration of moisture away from the skin. The wrap can be used as part of a suspension sleeve for use during arm surgery or post-operative recovery. The product is economically manufactured in the form of long rolls or as a sheet and is easily cut to any desired shape.

Abstract: A two-ply bandage for treatment of skin while providing orthopedic support having a first layer of gel for contacting the skin and a second layer of an elastic and supportive loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. The product is economically manufactured in the form of long rolls or as a sheet and is easily cut to any desired shape.

Abstract: A two-ply bandage for treatment of skin while providing orthopedic support having a first layer of gel for contacting the skin and a second layer of an elastic and supportive loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. The product is economically manufactured in the form of long rolls or as a sheet and is easily cut to any desired shape.

Abstract: A formfitting protective footwear apparatus comprising, generally, a protective sheath that envelops all or a portion of the foot from the ankle forward. In all embodiments, the formfitting protective footwear apparatus of the present invention surrounds the forefoot about the instep and arch and extends forward to protect at least the ball of the foot.

Abstract: A two-ply bandage for treatment of skin while providing orthopedic support having a first layer of gel for contacting the skin and a second layer of an elastic and supportive loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. The product is economically manufactured in the form of long rolls or as a sheet and is easily cut to any desired shape.

Abstract: Film-based bandage material, the film consisting of polyurethane, being treated so as to be self-adhesive on one side and having at least one non-adhesive grip tab formed onto it, so that following application the bandage material can be detached from the substrate by pulling on the grip tab in the direction of the bond plane.

Abstract: A two-ply bandage for treatment of skin while providing orthopedic support having a first layer of gel for contacting the skin and a second layer of an elastic and supportive loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. The product is economically manufactured in the form of long rolls or as a sheet and is easily cut to any desired shape.

Abstract: In order to prevent conception and/or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) one or more lectins capable of binding sperm and/or the pathogenic microorganisms responsible for STD's are administered to the vagina prior to sexual intercourse. The lectins immobilize the sperm to render them incapable of fertilization and also bind to the microorganisms to render them non-pathogenic or to the cells to prevent infection by the microorganisms. Lectins can also be administered to treat sexually transmitted vaginal infections. The invention also encompasses a device for to be placed in the vault of the vagina which comprises a ring which surrounds the cervix and a membrane spanning the central aperture of the ring to prevent the direct contact of ejaculate with the cervical tissues. The device is impregnated or coated with lectins and releases them into the vaginal environment over a period of time.

Abstract: Support material for medical purposes, which is characterized in that an addition of high-strength fibers or threads on an organic or inorganic base with a maximum tensile strength over 60 cN/tex gives the support material a maximum tensile strength of over 2 N/cm and the support material has mainly a maximum tensile strength of under 400%.

Abstract: In order to prevent conception and/or infection by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) one or more lectins capable of binding sperm or agglutinable components of male ejaculate and/or the pathogenic microorganisms responsible for STDs or the carbohydrate moieties expressed on cell surfaces by which the microorganisms bind to the cells, are administered to the vagina prior to sexual intercourse. The lectins prevent conception by binding to the sperm or agglutinable components of male ejaculate to render the sperm incapable of fertilization. They also bind to the pathogenic microorganisms to render them non-pathogenic or to carbohydrates expressed on cell surfaces to prevent infection by the microorganisms or treat such infections. Lectins can also be administered to treat sexually transmitted vaginal infections. The lectins can also be applied to or contained within a condom.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of water-soluble zinc salts as anti-viral agents in genital lubricants (such as condom lubricants or stand-alone gels), to reduce the risk of infection by sexually transmitted viruses. Such zinc-containing anti-viral lubricants can be spread on the shaft of the penis or inside the vagina before sexual intercourse, or applied in other suitable manners that causes the lubricant fluid to be coated on one or more genital surfaces during intercourse. These lubricants also can be sealed in watertight packages containing lubricated condoms, or packaged and sold as "stand-alone" lubricants in watertight containers without condoms. Preferred lubricants contain a water-soluble lubricating agent, such as glycerin or polyethylene glycol, and a suitable zinc salt, and water, to promote ionization of the salt and release of zinc ions (Zn.sup.++).

Abstract: A body support garment having a tubular elastic section for enclosing a body member is provided. The tubular section has an inner surface with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion providing a gripping surface and the second portion providing a predetermined circumferential strain ratio. The garments can be provided in the form of a pant or a vest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wound dressing 10 that is a porous, self-adhering elastic 14 bandage which may be compressively wrapped around a wound and which is capable of absorbing fluids and wound exudate. A preferred embodiment of the wound dressing 10 is a self-adhering elastic substrate 14 which does not adhere to clothing, hair or skin having a compressive force when extended that provides a therapeutic benefit and which is flexibly attached or fixed to an absorbent layer 12.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating natural rubber latex with protease and peptidase enzymes whereby protein allergens contained within the latex are degraded so as to be rendered non-allergenic to humans. The protein allergen-free natural rubber latex produced by the method and articles fabricated from the protein allergen-free product are also disclosed.

Abstract: There are described bandages which comprise a cohesive coated open cellular polymeric foam material which has a cellular surface area, at least 15% of the total surface area of the surface of the bandages comprise open cells of said open cellular polymeric foam material.

Abstract: An adhesive film for adhesive bandage in which an adhesive is coated on one surface of a nonwoven fabric, characterized in that a film having water vapor permeability and water proofing property is laminated on the opposite surface of the nonwoven fabric. A backing sheet is formed in such a structure that an elastic nonwoven fabric is laminated with a film having water vapor permeability and water proofing property, whereby sufficient flexibility and excellent water vapor permeability are provided and help to keep skin respiration and not only to prevent skin irritation caused by stickiness with perspiration or the like but also to completely prevent permeation of water, a detergent aqueous solution or the like into a pad portion or an affected part and further to prevent infection of a wound with bacteria. The preventions can be more completed by sealing the edge portion of the adhesive bandage via heat-sealing or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-adhesive nonwoven elastic composite material composed of at least one elastic composite material; and a coating of a self-adhesive material on at least a portion of at least one exterior surface of the elastic composite material so that the material is capable of being compressed in the Z-direction at least about 45 percent at a pressure of about 3 psi to a thickness of not less than about 0.035 inch. The elastic composite material may contain an elastomeric nonwoven fibrous web joined to at least one relatively nonelastic gatherable material at spaced-apart locations so that the gatherable material is gathered between the spaced-apart locations. Such an elastic composite material can be coated with a self-adhesive material on at least a portion of at least one exterior surface of the elastic composite material so that the peel strength of the self-adhesive material is less than the peel strength of the layers of the elastic composite material.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape for use over a wound is made from a laminate structure of flexible rubber, a hydrophilic hydrogel polymer bonded to one side of the flexible rubber, and an adhesive bonded to the hydrophilic hydrogel polymer along at least a first section of the adhesive bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape. The adhesive is preferably a hydrogel adhesive with a cellulosic, polyurethane or polyacrylate base, while the flexible rubber is preferably rubber which is pretreated with hydrogel polymer prior to curing. A medicament such as CPC or BAK can be bonded to the hydrophilic hydrogel polymer along the non-adhesive portion of the adhesive bandage, wound dressing or surgical drape to provide slow release medication, and if desired, removable plastic may be provided to cover the adhesive portions. The bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape may take various shapes, sizes, and arrangements.

Abstract: A breathable, comfortable, elastic pressure sensitive, permanent tacky, adhesive bandaging material is disclosed. The material includes a fabric formed of stretch and non-stretch filling and warp yarns which are coated with a release agent, a stiffening agent, and an adhesive material. Both the agents and adhesive material are applied to the backside of the fabric, with a small amount of the release agent being absorbed through the fabric to the face surface thereof. The adhesive material may include a solvent which tends to plasticize the stiffening agent to a small degree when applied thereto. The resulting bandaging material exhibits characteristics of good tearability along with a relatively soft face surface and an improved hand. The material is manufactured by applying the agents and adhesive to the fabric when the fabric is in a relaxed state. When subsequently stretched, the adhesive is pulled into a random, nonuniform and discontinuous layer.

Abstract: A composite stretch fabric is disclosed that is comprised of a laminate of three layers, the center layer being comprised of a web of a nonwoven polyurethane resin with a basis weight in the range of 50-250 g/m.sup.2 and an air permeability of at least 10 cc/sec/cm.sup.2 with stretchable fabric layers adhered to each side thereof, one of which can be a nylon pile and the other of which is a double knit fabric that can be of porous, hollow fiber for sweat absorption, the composite can also be embossed.

Abstract: The compression bandage with calibration means has visual marks (1) arranged according to a variable and gradually increasing distance (X), (X+1), (X+2), . . . (X+n) in order to correspond to a decreasing pressure applied as and when the bandage is wrapped.

Abstract: A cohesive bandage fabricated according to a method comprising the steps of providing at least one layer of woven fabric and applying a coating containing polybutylacryate ester and alkyphenyl polyethylene glycol ether to at least one fabric face is disclosed. In one embodiment, the coating is applied by an airless method microselectively in statistical distribution where the quantity of coating is controlled by pump pressure. Alternatively, an aqueous dispersion of polybutyl acrylate ester and carboxymethyl cellulose is microselectively and cohesively coated on both sides of the fabric by screen printing to produce a regular dot pattern on both faces of the fabric.