Abstract: A lubricated tampon applicator having a sanitary wrapper. The applicator comprises a tubular body having a lubrication cell near its insertion end. The lubrication cell is scored to preferentially fail first at the interior cell membrane, and then the exterior cell membrane as the tampon is expelled from the applicator. The tampon has a lesser circumference about the leading portion than the trailing portion, thereof. In another embodiment the cell is a cage having a scored inner membrane and a leading surface of discrete petals. The cage is covered by an elastic membrane which is turned inward at the central axis and extends through an opening formed by the petals, flares radially outward, and seals against the inner membrane. The sanitary wrapper contains a portion for maintaining the applicator tip coated with lubricant. An adhesive bonds the wrapper to the applicator, effectively containing the lubricant.

Abstract: A tampon applicator (1) consists of an insertion sleeve (2) in which a tampon (10) is introduced. Slidingly affixed within the insertion sleeve (2) is an ejection sleeve (4) for ejecting the tampon (10). In the insertion sleeve (2), a medicinal agent, which is present in the form of a pill (9), is disposed in such a way that this pill (9) is ejectable together with the tampon (10) by means of the ejection sleeve (4) through the leading end of the insertion sleeve (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating system, in particular to a coating system for articles where plastic materials slide against flexible rubber materials. The coating system is a silicone oil based coating having a viscosity of at least 200,000 centistokes, i.e. a high viscosity coating. The coating comprises in a preferred embodiment a silicone oil based block or graft copolymer, or segmented copolymer. Further the invention relates to a process of producing a component of an article coated as described above, comprising adding the coating material to the component material prior to molding and subsequently molding the component from the mixture, or molding the component from the component material and subsequently applying the coating material to the at least one surface of the component, as well as an article coated with a silicone oil based coating as defined above. Such an article is preferably a medical article, such as a container or an injection cylinder and a stopper.

Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide and a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment, multiple layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.

Abstract: A tampon applicator comprises inner and outer hollow members with a tampon mounted within the outer member. The inner member is telescopically mounted within the hollow outer member with one end surface adapted to contact the tampon and its other end surface extending outwardly to act as a plunger. A lubricant is located within the outer member secured therein by inner and outer seals. The tampon with a lubricating coating is ejected with the application of force to the slideable plunger.

Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide and a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment, three layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.

Abstract: This invention involves a new device and method for treating hemorrhoids. The device has a substantially cylindrical shape and, at least at one portion, has a diameter of between about 5 mm and about 30 mm. The device is inserted into an anal canal so that it is positioned against at least one displaced anal cushion, and is maintained there for a sufficient time to achieve reduction of the displaced anal cushion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating system, in particular to a coating system for articles where plastic materials slide against flexible rubber materials. The coating system is a silicone oil based coating having a viscosity of at least 200,000 centistokes, i.e. a high viscosity coating. The coating comprises in a preferred embodiment a silicone oil based block or graft copolymer, or segmented copolymer. Further the invention relates to a process of producing a component of an article coated as described above, comprising adding the coating material to the component material prior to molding and subsequently molding the component from the mixture, or molding the component from the component material and subsequently applying the coating material to the at least one surface of the component, as well as an article coated with a silicone oil based coating as defined above. Such an article is preferably a medical article, such as a container or an injection cylinder and a stopper.

Abstract: A lubricated tampon applicator having a sanitary wrapper. The applicator comprises a tubular body having a lubrication cell near its insertion end. The lubrication cell is scored to preferentially fail first at the interior cell membrane, and then the exterior cell membrane as the tampon is expelled from the applicator. The tampon has a lesser circumference about the leading portion than the trailing portion, thereof. In another embodiment the cell is a cage having a scored inner membrane and a leading surface of discrete petals. The cage is covered by an elastic membrane which is turned inward at the central axis and extends through an opening formed by the petals, flares radially outward, and seals against the inner membrane. The sanitary wrapper contains a portion for maintaining the applicator tip coated with lubricant. An adhesive bonds the wrapper to the applicator, effectively containing the lubricant.

Abstract: A medical device is coated with a thin coherent bond coat of acrylics, epoxies, acetals, ethylene copolymers, vinyl polymers, polymers containing hydroxyl, amine, carboxyl, amide, or other reactive groups, and copolymers thereof. Outer layers may be applied and remain adherent to the substrate in water for an extended period. The bond coat may comprise cross linkers such as urea resins, melamines, isocyanates, and phenolics. Preferred polymers include vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate, styrene acrylic polymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, carboxyl function acrylic polymer, hydroxyl function acrylic polymer, and acrylic dispersion polymer. The coatings may be applied to inert metal or plastic surfaces of medical devices such as needles, guide wires, catheters, surgical instruments, equipment for endoscopy, wires, stents, angioplasty balloons, wound drains, arteriovenous shunts, gastroenteric tubes, urethral inserts, laparoscopic equipment, pellets, and implants.

Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric material, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer. In one embodiment, a plurality of layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. The exterior surface of the tubular member is coated with a compostable coating. The coating is comprised of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric material, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer.

Abstract: A tampon applicator including an insertion tube for accepting a tampon and a discharge tube for discharging the tampon. The discharge tube is displaceable in the insertion tube. Placeable upon the end area of the insertion tube on the insertion side is a container containing a therapeutic or prophylactic medicinal substance. This container is sealed off from the insertion tube by means of a foil. Provided in the insertion tube between an accepted tampon and the foil are pivotable flaps having a sharp-edged projection, and which are pivoted during insertion of the tampon by means of the forward movement of the tampon against the foil and which break through the foil with their sharp-edged projection.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. An apparatus for coating paper and a method of forming the paper into an applicator are also disclosed. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper and has an interior and an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. At least one of the surfaces of the tubular member is coated with a water-insoluble coating which is comprised of from between about 95 to about 98 percent by weight of a polymeric material and from between about 2 to about 5 percent by weight of a slip agent. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.35 to about 0.56 and a wet coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.78 to about 1.06.

Abstract: A device for introducing a two-component fibrin sealant into a puncture channel in the vicinity of an arterial or venous puncture point, said device comprising a working cannula extending axially from an upper end to a lower end through a sealing cannula, said working cannula being used for intravascular introduction of instruments into a vessel. The working cannula is surrounded by the sealing cannula at a distance from the working cannula whereby the fibrin sealant passes from a connector at said upper end of said sealing cannula to at least one slitshaped radially directed outlet opening in said sealing cannula between said sealing cannula and said working cannula.

Abstract: A tampon is disclosed which exhibits low frictional drag during insertion into and withdrawal from a woman's vagina. The tampon includes an absorbent compressed into a generally cylindrical shape and a liquid-permeable cover which surrounds at least a portion of the absorbent. The cover is treated with an aqueous solution having a viscosity of at least 50 cps at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. The solution includes a lubricant and at least about 3 percent by weight of a polymer. The polymer serving to prevent the lubricant from migrating away from the cover such that the tampon retains a sufficient amount of lubricant to facilitate comfortable withdrawal from the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: An improved tampon is provided having one or more loops placed entirely through the tampon for ease in insertion and removal of an attached spherical member into and from a body cavity. Moreover, the improved tampon can be impregnated at select depths with specific spermicides, anti-infectives, lubricants, hormones, antioxidants, amino acids, etc., to allow release of inner-impregnated fluids from the member into the body cavity. Closely controlled impregnation and/or coating of the tampon is achieved by a method of manufacture employing one or more sonic baths containing necessary impregnating and/or coating fluids.

Abstract: A nasal pack inserter apparatus having a barrel member with a throughgoing lumen providing an inlet and an outlet for a plunger reciprocally mounted therein. The barrel member defines rib means projecting into the throughgoing lumen defining a track for the plunger which is configured to fit in the track when inserted into the lumen. The plunger member has a thumb piece on one end and a pusher tip on the other end to transport a nasal pack provided with a withdrawal thread through the lumen into a nasal cavity. The withdrawal thread of the nasal pack is positioned within a channel formed in the plunger body to prevent fouling of the same within the barrel lumen.

Abstract: This invention provides biodegradable tampon applicators adapted for disposal in water-base toilet systems. This invention also provides plasticized starch compositions for use in fabrication of tampon applicators and methods for fabrication thereof.

Abstract: Articles for use in contact with animal tissue, such as surgical and first aid supplies, health care products and personal hygiene products, are dusted with microspheres for lubricating purposes or for the application of diffusible adjuvants. In the latter case, the microspheres are porous, with a continuous network of pores open to the exterior of the particles, permitting outward diffusion of the adjuvants at a controlled rate depending on pore size. The adjuvants include such substances as biologically active substances, deodorants, flavors, fragrances, and liquid lubricants.

Abstract: The insertion and removal of tampons from a body cavity is facilitated by the use of an inserter equipped with a moveable and removable fluid reservoir at the place of tampon exit and conduits which carry a portion of the fluid to the other end of the tampon. The fluid can be a lubricant, a medicant or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The applicator for inserting a pessary into the uterus, which pessary comprises a chain combined with a distal coil screwable into the base of the uterus. The applicator has an inner shaft, which received the chain in its leading end, installed in an outer shaft and with its leading end securing the nearer of the coil in a formlocked or forcelocked manner, as well as a handle at the opposite end of the shaft whose rotation and axial displacement allow screwing the coil out of the outer shaft and into the base of the uterus to the extend of its longitudinal dimension. The outer and inner shafts are withdrawable from the uterus with respect to the screwed-in coil and chain which are to be released, after completion of the application.

Abstract: A blister package, particularly for sanitary tampons (3) for women hygiene, is comprised of a pressed foil (1) forming a deep hollow and of a cover foil, and comprises a deposit (6) for an additive, preferably a lubricant. The deposit (6) is arranged in a main trough (19) intended to receive the sanitary tampon (3). The deposit (6) may be shaped as a cup (5) of the pressed foil (1) and opened in the hollow of the pressed foil (1) or be covered or separated from the main trough (19). The deposit (6) may be relieved through the opening of the blister package and brought in contact with the end (3a) and the pad (3), but the deposit may also be pressed by means of the finger applied pressure in the direction of the end (3a) of the pad (3) to coat it before the opening of the blister package and the use of the pad (3). The additive will therefore be applied immediately before using the sanitary tampon, so that all of the amount of additive available achieve its purpose.

Abstract: An apparatus for moistening a tampon with a spermicidal, bactericidal and/or virucidal fluid and expelling the tampon includes an open ended tampon storing member for storing the tampon in an unactivated state and a reservoir member for storing the fluid. The reservoir member has a closed inner end slidably received in the tampon storing member and a closed outer end extending out of the tampon storing member. In several embodiments, the reservoir member includes an elongated element to effect fluid flow through a dispensing opening in the inner end and through a vent opening in the outer end. In another embodiment, the inner end of the reservoir member is closed by a wall which is fragible under radially applied pressure to form a dispensing opening and the other end is closed by a wall having an element which is frangible to form a vent opening.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for placing an object into a body cavity, the device comprising an applicator body, lubricating apparatus, and movement apparatus, wherein the lubricating apparatus and the movement apparatus may comprise a single plunger, whereby the object is placed into the device, the device is placed into the body cavity, and the single plunger is pressed, thereby lubricating the exterior of the injector and the single plunger is pushed, thereby pushing the object through the device and into the body cavity.