Abstract: The invention is an apparatus (10) for treating inverted nipples and/or the collection of NAF.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove and collect body fluids from a skin surgical incision following liposuction surgery. The apparatus includes a compressible suction bulb having an inlet. A patch having an adhesive on one side is attached to the outer epidermal surface by an adhesive so that the patch overlies the incision. The patch includes a central opening and a fluid tube fluidly connects the central opening of the patch to the suction bulb. Consequently, fluid flowing through the skin incision flows through the tube and into the suction bulb for collection and subsequent disposal.

Abstract: A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid-retention chamber for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid-retention chamber. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid-retention chamber by a liquid barrier.

Abstract: An attachment for a milk pump, including a one-walled, dimensionally stable positioning section which tapers in tunnel-shaped manner from the positioning opening to the securing section for connecting to the milk pump. The positioning section and the securing section are connected together by an articulated connection such that the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-shaped positioning section can be adjusted to an angle (alpha) which deviates by 180° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the securing section.

Abstract: A personal care apparatus (1) is provided with a suction nozzle configuration (4) which has two different suction nozzles (15, 22) with two different suction sections (27, 26), wherein the suction nozzles (15, 22) are held adjustably in relation to each other along a path of motion (16) which is preferably perpendicularly to their suction sections (27, 26), so that by means of an adjustment of this type in each case one of the suction nozzles (15, 22) may be adjusted with its suction section (27, 26) into an operating position permitting suctorial interaction with an area of the skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wound treatment device (100) with at least one elastically deformable vacuum-generating element which can be actuated directly by hand and which is arranged on and connected directly to a film-like wound-covering element (2) that covers the wound chamber (1). The vacuum-generating element is a hollow body (4.1) whose cavity (7), in the state with the device applied to the patient's body, communicates directly with the wound chamber (1) via an opening (3) formed on the wound-covering element (2). At least one absorption body (5) that absorbs the wound secretions is positioned in the wound chamber (1) and is surrounded by a finely porous sleeve (6) that is permeable to liquid. The hollow body (4.1) is provided with at least one valve (12).

Abstract: A saliva control device for controlling or isolating the production of saliva by a salivary gland. The saliva control device includes a body, a cavity formed in the body for forming a seal over the salivary gland, a vacuum chamber in the body that assists the cavity in forming a seal, and an air evacuation passage. The air evacuation passage is used to selectively apply and then maintain a vacuum to the vacuum chamber and cavity.

Abstract: An aspirator, including a bulb that defines first and second ports, a tube adjacent to the first port defined by the bulb, and means for helping to prevent aspirated material inside the bulb from exiting the bulb through the second port defined by the bulb.

Abstract: An apparatus for drainage of a wound or surgical site of a human or animal fits anatomically, passes from inside the wound or surgical site percutaneously or covering an open wound surface and extends externally for accumulation of fluids. A plurality of fibers each with an internal end, middle and an external end is elongate with a thickness and a length wherein its thickness is substantially less than its length for flexibility. The fibers form a loose bundle with gathered external ends and with internal ends unrestrained for spreading divergently inside the wound or surgical site. A collector is positioned in fluid communication with the gathered external ends for accumulating bodily fluid guided along and amongst the fibers from the internal ends along the middle and to the external ends during drainage. Vacuum connects to draw fluid from the collector. A method has steps of providing fibers with the internal ends unrestrained, the external ends gathered in a collector to accumulate drained fluid.

Abstract: A breast pump provides multiple orientations of the pumping lever with respect to the breast shield. A breast pump includes a liner extending from the breast shield, through the suction chamber, and out of the suction chamber, which liner shields other components of the pump from contamination by the flow of milk through the pump during pumping operation. A breast pumping device includes a pumping lever for manually providing a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber and an external pumping source, connected to the suction bell, that the user can activate to provide a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber. A breast pump provides a smaller change in the grip width from when the lever is fully-extended to when the lever is fully-retracted, allowing more comfortable manual pumping.

Abstract: An expansible medical suction canister has an expansible chamber and a support. The chamber is expandable to an open position and compressible to a closed position. The chamber also has opposing first and second ends. The first and the second ends are spaced relatively farther apart in the open position than in the closed position. The support is connected between the opposing ends and moves with the opposing ends between the open and closed positions. The support also has a locked condition in the open position. The support may have a first element and a second element. The first and the second elements preferably move between open and closed positions with the opposing chamber ends. In one aspect, the first element may have a stop surface and the second element may include a leg with an end that abuts the stop surface in the open position, whereby compression of the canister to the closed position is resisted.

Abstract: A housing is secured to an area of skin to allow suction to be applied to a local area of skin through an aperture. After formation of a suction blister, a blade is actuated to sever a suction cup thereby detaching the means for creating suction at the aperture and at the same time removing the roof of the suction blister to expose an area of dermis from which the skin's epidermis has been removed.

Abstract: An expansible medical suction canister has an expansible chamber and a support. The chamber is expandable to an open position and compressible to a closed position. The chamber also has opposing first and second ends. The first and the second ends are spaced relatively farther apart in the open position than in the closed position. The support is connected between the opposing ends and moves with the opposing ends between the open and closed positions. The support also has a locked condition in the open position. The support may have a first element and a second element. The first and the second elements preferably move between open and closed positions with the opposing chamber ends. In one aspect, the first element may have a stop surface and the second element may include a leg with an end that abuts the stop surface in the open position, whereby compression of the canister to the closed position is resisted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of inadvertent sharps/needlestick injuries to healthcare workers and the like. The method and apparatus provide a tourniquet for restricting blood flow to the site of the sharps injury, an apparatus for mechanically applying a negative pressure directly to the site of the sharps injury and removing bodily fluids and blood therefrom, a mechanism for delivering an antimicrobial/antiviral agent(s) to the site, and bandage for covering the site of the sharps injury following treatment. The first aid components are preferable all contained within a convenient time saving kit to facilitate ease of use by an injured individual.

Abstract: A device for disposing excrement comprising: a diaper cup 1 for enveloping a lumbar/gluteal region of a human body; and a device body C connected to the diaper cup 1 for supplying washing water to the inside of the diaper cup and for sucking excrements and sewage from the inside of the diaper cup 1. The device body C includes: a suction motor 21 for establishing a vacuum to suck the excrements and the sewage; a water supply pump 5 for supplying the washing water; and a sequencer 12 for controlling the suction motor 21 and the water supply pump 5. The sequencer 12 includes intermittent drive means S4 to S8 or S24 to S29 for controlling the drive of the water supply pump 5 by setting time parameters according to the sense signals of the feces sensor 109 and the urine sensor 114.

Abstract: A flexible, sterile, trimable device which gently and continuously removes unwanted fluid from an operating field during surgery by wicking the fluid into a mat having a high wicking property. A flexible suction tube having one end embedded in the mat removes fluid from the mat, thereby preventing the mat from becoming saturated. One embodiment of the invention is as a surgical swabber where one end of a length of semi-rigid tube is embedded in the mat and the other end is connected to a flexible suction tube. Another embodiment of the invention is as a platform for microsurgery where a membrane having a plurality of holes is applied to one side of the mat. The membrane supports the tissue being worked on and is preferably a contrasting color. Fluid passing into the holes is wicked into the mat where it is subsequently removed by the suction tube. The platform can be oriented in any position and does not slip on the tissue on which it is placed.

Abstract: A device for correcting flat, inverted or retracting human nipples includes a tube having a piston inserted into one end and a removable, reversible tip attached to the other end. The tip is constructed from a flexible clear or semi-clear material. The tip is configurable by reversing its position to fit particular nipple sizes and/or to perform particular functions. Suction pressure is applied to evert the nipple by pulling the piston out of the tube. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device and method for the non-invasive or minimally invasive withdrawal of fluids from a patient by the use of a self-actuated pump connected to a analyte sensing unit. The self-actuated pump is preferably mounted in the patient's shoe.

Abstract: A cupping instrument comprises a vacuum cup integrally comprising an outlet hole at one end thereof, an annular socket concentrically surrounding the outlet hole, and a cylindrical tubular extension extending from the one end and surrounding the outlet hole and the annular socket. A suction valve for opening and closing the outlet hole is disposed in the annular socket and comprises a sealing disk, a centrally disposed die-cut valve disk, an annular outer portion surrounding the valve disk, and at least one bridge integrally connecting the annular outer portion to the valve disk. An aspirator is connected to the vacuum cup, the aspirator comprising an aspirator cylinder detachably mounted in the cylindrical tubular extension and having a forward end wall facing the outlet hole and defining an aspirating opening concentrically surrounding the outlet hole.

Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatuses for evacuation of exudate from wounds. The apparatuses include a suctioning means having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a wound cover in fluid communication with the suctioning means via the inlet port. The wound cover is adapted to fit in fluid communication with a wound dressing for application to a wound site. The suctioning means is operative to remove exudate from a wound dressing in association with the wound cover and covering a wound site.

Abstract: A device for extracting pus, blood and other materials from beneath the skin. The device is made of a clear plastic tube open at both ends (10). One end is placed over the skin which has material to be extracted. The other end contains a plunger device (16) which creates a vacuum in the tube when it is withdrawn from the tube. As the vacuum pressure increases, the skin and underlying material are drawn into the tube until it is penetrated by a recessed piercing device (14) which is attached to an extrusion (12) approximately in the center of the tube (10). After being pierced, the underlying material is drawn from beneath the skin to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for de-airing the heart comprises a clear, resilient bulb fixedly secured to an aspirating needle. The bulb includes a valve which permits air, upon squeezing the bulb, to be discharged therefrom. The aspirating needle includes an axial passage which is closed at the distal end of the needle. One or more longitudinal slots formed in the wall of the needle provide access to the axial passage of the needle for aspirating air from the heart.

Abstract: An irrigation dressing for deep wounds comprises an adhesive, substantially liquid- and air-impermeable plate (1) having at least one perforation (6, 7) for supplying and sucking off liquid, and for pressure equalization. The perforation is provided with a conduit (10) for supplying and sucking off liquid. The conduit is introduced into the wound cavity, and irrigation liquid is supplied and sucked off through it. After completed irrigation, the perforation/perforations in the plate is/are closed in order to seal the dressing.A bag (18) can be connected to the dressing for filling up and actively affecting the wound cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for de-airing the heart comprises a clear, resilient bulb fixedly secured to an aspirating needle. The bulb includes a valve which permits air, upon squeezing the bulb, to be discharged therefrom. The aspirating needle includes an axial passage which is closed at the distal end of the needle. One or more longitudinal slots formed in the wall of the needle provide access to the axial passage of the needle for aspirating air from the heart.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, in particular for endoscopic surgery, wherein the instrument comprises a tube provided at its proximal end with a flexible suction cup and at its distal end with a bulb such that the volume of the bulb is in communication with the suction cup via the tube in order to enable the suction cup to be applied against and to adhere to tissues or organs for displacment under the control of pressure and/or suction from the bulb.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for collecting tissue fluids from a human or an animal which comprises pretreating the external surface of an area of the skin of the human or the animal with a solution to clean off dead cells, forming a liquid coating over the skin, forming a superficial contusion on that area of the skin without nicking or piercing the skin, sealing that area of the skin and then collecting tissue fluid from the area of the contusion with the assistance of vacuum. The tissue fluid collected may be used for diagnostic purposes. A device for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for removing food remains from the oral cavity, particularly from the teeth. The apparatus includes a suction chamber, enclosing a removable filter, a suction member removably fixed to said suction chamber, a pipe in fluid communication with said suction chamber through a casing, and an outer cover of collapsible material removably fixed to said casing. Through depression upon said outer cover and, as a consequence, on said suction member, a depression is created inside the suction chamber, so that, through a pneumatic action, the food remains are moved from the oral cavity into the suction chamber where they are collected on said removable filter.

Abstract: A breast receptor for a breast pump having means for creating a vacuum within the breast receptor in which the wall thicknesses of the flexed portions of the receptor engaging the nipple and areola are reduced in order to produce optimum lactating conditions, including optimum responsiveness to the external touch stimulus, and which will most nearly simulate the mouth of a suckling infant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a "plungerless" means of drawing blood and for administering liquids via parenteral injection. This means is used in conjunction with a pouch bearing an injection means, to which it is releasably attached. It comprises hinged plates which, when folded, expand the pouch; and which, when straightened, compress it.In a preferred embodiment, the plates fold along a line essentially parallel to the general direction of fluid flow, and extend beyond the distal end of the pouch. The expanded pouch may then be rested on the distal edges of the plates, which form a "diamond" configuration.