Abstract: The invention is for a method of treating a decrease in estrogen secretion in a woman after the cessation of cyclic ovulation using a vaginal dispenser comprising a wall surrounding an internal lumen and having a pair of ends with one end placed inside the other end to form a closed dispenser. A vaginally administrable beneficial agent is housed in the lumen for release by the dispenser over time.

Abstract: An infection-resistant polymeric material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, for use on or within a human or animal body, for example, in the form of a vascular graft, can be prepared by an improved method which comprises the following sequence of steps: (a) soaking a polymeric material with a solution of an antimicrobial agent, such as sodium sulfadiazine, oxacillin dissolved in an organic solvent therefor, such as an ethanol/chloroform mixture, (b) soaking the polymeric material with an organic solvent, such as ethanol, for a metal salt; and (c) resoaking the polymeric material with the solution of the antimicrobial agent dissolved in the organic solvent therefor. The polymeric material is dried after each soaking step. Preferably, in the intermediate soaking step (b) the organic solvent contains a metal salt, such as silver nitrate, dissolved therein, so as to form in situ the metal salt of the antimicrobial agent, such as silver sulfadiazine.

Abstract: An osmotic system is disclosed comprising a wall formed in at least a part of a semipermeable material that surrounds a compartment. The compartment contains a first osmotic composition comprising a beneficial agent, and a second and different osmotic composition. A passageway in the wall connects the first composition with the exterior of the system.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for guiding a prosthesis utilizing a flexible sheath in combination with a guide member is taught. Basket forceps assembly which is known in the art is utilized to fracture a calculus located within a coeloma is coupled to the guide member. The guide member carrying the basket is inserted into the coeloma so as to allow it to move past a restriction within the coeloma and without injuring the walls of the coeloma. The guide member, once moved past the restriction, is used as a guide to dispose a prosthesis passed over the guide member at a given location in a smooth manner.

Abstract: A connector for medical tubing for liquid transfusion includes a short tubular male connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof materia; a short tubular female connector member made of thermally resistant corrosionproof material; and a fitting surface portion on the outer surface of an insertion end of the male connector, shaped in the male form and made of a material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the material of a corresponding fitting surface portion on the inner surface of an insertion end of the female connector shaped in the female form. The fitting surface portion of the insertion end shaped in the male form, and the fitting surface portion of the insertion end shaped in the female form, are of relative sizes such as to permit the insertion ends to be connected to and separated from each other by shrink fit utilizing the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients thereof. A medical solution bag device using the connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: Infection-resistant materials, and methods of preparing same, suitable for use within the interior of a human or animal body in such forms as vascular grafts prostheses, or other implanted devices. The material is rendered infection-resistant by incorporating therein antimicrobial agents, such as metal salts of sulfonamides and other antimicrobials or antibacterials, such as piperacillin. In particular illustrative embodiments, silver sulfadiazine is complexed by novel techniques with natural or synthetic polymeric materials such as silk, polyester (e.g., Dacron), polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, or silicone-based material, to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during, or after, surgery or implantation of a device.

Abstract: A method of treating hemorrhoids which comprises inserting into the rectum of a subject afflicted therewith a substantially cylindrical shaped insert, comprising a water swellable polymer having a water content of at least 35% by weight, said insert having previously been frozen by being subjected to a temperature below 0.degree. C. for a sufficient amount of time to freeze the free water therein and maintaining said insert with at least a portion thereof outside the sphincter muscle, and apparatus therefore.

Abstract: Infection-resistant materials, and methods of preparing same, suitable for use within the interior of a human or animal body in such forms as vascular grafts prostheses, or other implanted devices. The material is rendered infection-resistant by incorporating therein antimicrobial agents, such as nalidixic acid derivatives or metal salts of nalidixic acid derivatives. In particular illustrative embodiments, silver norfloxacin and silver pefloxacin, are complexed with natural or synthetic polymeric materials such as silk, polyester (e.g., Dacron), polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, or silicone-based material, to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during or after surgery or implantation of a device.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for holding a flowable substance and applying the flowable substance to an orifice of a body comprising a nozzle, a plunger section, a plunger projection secured to the plunger section, and a cavity, with the cavity sized and shaped to fit between the nozzle and the plunger section, wherein the nozzle is placed into the orifice and the plunger projection is pressed in order to force the flowable substance through a plurality of openings in the nozzle into the orifice.

Abstract: A tampon having incorporated therein one or more substances, such as one or more physiologically safe organic acids that will maintain a pH of about 4.5 to 2.5 in the absorbed fluids during the use of the tampon, to create a hostile but safe environment to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, within and on the tampon during its use.

Abstract: A device for the vaginal administration of medicinal substances comprising a flat, supple, elastically deformable plastic material having a constant thickness and shaped in the form of a star having at least three identical arms having constant width and rounded extremities containing at least one biologically active substance is disclosed.

Abstract: A tampon (10) designed to eliminate the hazards of toxic shock syndrome or dysmenorrhea by incorporating an antibacterial agent (or agent effective against other microorganisms) into the tampon (10). The antibacterial agent suspended in an adhesive is coated onto a cylindrical insert of absorptive material (12), a tubular applicator container (22), and a plunger (26). On contact with body fluids the antibacterial agent disperses, preventing development of the organisms which produce the toxins which cause toxic shock syndrome.