Abstract: A liquid removal system having an interface device and a vacuum source are described. The interface device has a porous membrane with an entrance zone on one side. The vacuum source maintains a vacuum on the side of the membrane opposite the entrance zone when the membrane is wetted. Liquid which contacts the wetted porous membrane is removed from the interface device by the vacuum source.

Abstract: A disposable device for transfer of an active liquid into an intracorporeal cavity, having a central element able to contact the mucous membrane of an intracorporeal cavity; an absorbent peripheral element arranged around the central element that absorbs liquid; a temporary protective covering, that is sealed with respect to liquids, that prevents fluid communication between the peripheral element and the central element; an active liquid contained in the central element or the peripheral element; and a means for recovering the active liquid, which has circulated in the intracorporeal cavity, that is contained in the peripheral element or the central element, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relieving insufflation pressure in a body cavity (18) in excess of a predetermined value are provided. A conduit assembly (24) extends from the body cavity (18) through the surface (61) of a fluid reservoir and has a port (63) positioned beneath the fluid surface (61). The relief pressure is selected by setting the relative positioning of the open end (63) and fluid surface (61). The apparatus avoids insufflation gas leakage problems associated with known insufflation pressure relief devices.

Abstract: A device for collecting uncontaminated liquid specimens, particularly, urine specimens from adult females, adult males and pediatric males. The device includes an elongated flexible tubular conduit member having a funnel-shaped opening at one end to be in sealing relationship with a urethra or glans penis and a discharge end to be received within a sample container. The sample container includes an opening with a sealing member therein to receive the discharge end of the elongated flexible tubular conduit member in an open position for receiving a urine specimen therein and in a closed position when the discharge end of the elongated flexible tubular conduit member is withdrawn.

Abstract: A urine collection and drainage device comprising a chamber that contains a baffle. The device minimizes noises generated from sloshing urine in the chamber. Furthermore, when secured in a horizontal orientation relative to an individual's leg, the device is completely concealed from view by others while worn under shorts, short skirts or swimming trunks. Thus, the device collects urine such that it baffles any sloshing noises that emanate from the chamber and is completely concealed from view when worn under summer or sport apparel.

Abstract: A female urinary collection device includes a receptacle pouch for collecting urine. The receptacle pouch includes a first area for securing two strips of tape, one to each buttock of a user to create a relatively rigid engagement of the device with the body. In the upper zone, there is a stretch loop and foam belt for securing the pouch around the waist. Inside the receptacle pouch, there is a reservoir of adsorbent material with a wick which exits the receptacle pouch through a tubing connected to an orifice in the receptacle. The receptacle pouch fits around the labia majora of the user.

Abstract: The liquid removal system of the present invention is designed to permit efficient liquid removal as needed through the use of an interface device. The interface device is provided with a membrane which has and is capable of maintaining a vacuum on one side so that when liquid contacts the opposite side of the membrane the liquid passes through the membrane and is removed from the interface device by a maintained vacuum to a receptacle for disposal. When used as a female external catheter system, the present invention is designed to remove urine from incontinent female hospital and nursing home patients and even patients under home care.

Abstract: An embryo collection dish has a cylindrical sidewall with an inlet tube which communicates with an animal uterus from which the embryos are flushed. A lid is engaged with the dish and clamps a sheet of filter material therebetween. In use the filter is disposed vertically and the embryo cattier fluid is discharged from the device through an outlet tube which extends from the lid. The vertical distance between the inlet and outlet tubes is adjustable to control the volume of liquid retained in the dish along with the embryos. The dish together with its contents may be placed directly under a microscope for selection and extraction of the collected embryos. The device is sufficiently compact and fluid tight that it may be placed within a users clothing during collection to keep the embryos warm. Alternatively, an intermediate ring may be provided which joins a reusable lid to a disposable dish.

Abstract: An absorbent feminine hygiene article has an external absorbent pad for disposition against the labia majora of a user, and a nonabsorbent flexible sheath for extending into the vagina. The sheath intercepts body fluid in the vagina and directs it to the external pad. A conducting layer conducts fluid so intercepted by the sheath to an absorbing surface on the interior of the external pad, the interior absorbing surface being displaced from the user's body by a primary mass of an absorbent layer.

Abstract: A self-contained urine collecting devise usable by females comprising a bottle in the shape of a hollow body having a closed end and an opening disposed at the end of an upwardly extending neck. Joinable to the open end of the bottle is an interface shaped generally in the form of an oval ring comprising a protuberance at the lower portion of the interface, an opening defined by the upper portion of the interface, a peripheral lip disposed concentrically with respect to the opening, a lateral ridge positioned between the protuberance and the opening, and a lateral valley disposed coextensively to the ridge disposed between the ridge and the protuberance. In use, the protuberance is positioned slightly within the vaginal orifice to place the extralabially fitting opening of the apparatus directly in front of the urethral orifice. The peripheral lip conforms to the perineum of the user in complementary fashion to ensure a liquid tight seal.

Abstract: A footrest for use by a person seated in a wheel-chair facing a toilet facility includes an upper surface capable of accepting a foot thereon and slanting downwardly generally towards the front of the toilet facility. The footrest also includes a lip attached to the upper surface for retaining the foot on the upper surface at a fixed location.

Abstract: An external incontinence device which reduces or eliminates maceration, skin irritation, microbial skin infiltration and infection, and urinary tract infection associated with conventional urinary catheters and incontinence devices is provided. The device comprises a housing having an outlet conduit, a plurality of leaves made of a thin, vapor permeable film connected to the housing, a vapor permeable adhesive on the interior surface of the leaves, a microbial-barrier layer provided on an inner surface of the housing and a barrier disc provided on the inner surface of the housing. The vapor-permeable leaves allow water vapor to evaporate from the underlying skin surface, thus eliminating maceration. In addition, a U-shaped release backing on each leaf allows the leaves to be applied to the skin surface in a wrinkle-free manner.

Abstract: An emesis head appliance is made of clear flexible plastic or disposable material. The appliance includes a two-piece basin sized and configured to receive discharge from a patient and to fit snugly under the chin with side panels reaching upward to the temple area. A drainage tube of sufficient length is attached to the lower end of the basin to act as an outlet for disposing of the discharge waste. A slide clamp is attachable to the tube and closes the tube to prevent leakage until it is desired to discharge the waste material in the basin.

Abstract: A one wall of a plastic urine bag is extended as a broad sheet terminating in a rolled-over belt loop. The belt loop is threaded by a fabric belt, which is secured about a patient's waist, permitting the urine bag to hang in the area of the patient's leg. The fabric belt has Velcro.RTM. "loops" entirely upon its surface and is fastened by a tab of Velcro.RTM. "hooks". The catheter is taped to the broad sheet. A lower port of the urine bag has a valve for gravity drainage of collected fluids. The unitary urine bag and support harness in combination with the belt is low cost, sanitary, comfortable for patient use, easy of assembly, tamper resistant, and entirely disposable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a urine collection device for use by a female having a reservoir for receiving and temporarily collecting urine originating from the female. The reservoir includes a first opening end for insertion within the confines of the labia minor of the female such that the first opening end surrounds the urethral orifice of the female and is positioned between the clitoris and vaginal orifice of the female. The reservoir also includes a second opening end which is spaced from the first opening end and forms a passageway for draining urine from the reservoir. The first opening end of the reservoir is elliptic in shape and includes a protruding rim for forming a seal between the first opening end and the tissue surrounding the urethral orifice of the female. The invention further provides a unique waist belt and urine collection bag for use with the urine collection device.

Abstract: Pubovaginal appliances for the collection of urine from women suffering from incontinence includes a pad configured to engage the pubic region. A bifurcated support body extends posteriorly along the contour of the perineum and terminates in a pair of flexible rods which are bent or carried anteriorly and which diverge caudally. Each rod carries a cylinder or insert proportioned to be received together in the vaginal cavity and are biased by the rods toward the pad to provide a self-holding force for the appliance between the pubis and vagina. A urine deflecting hood and collection cup are carried on the body at the opening formed by the bifurcation, and the hood is urged into contact with the wearer. Two embodiments are described. One has a funnel adopted for connection to a collection bag and the other has an access door for insertion and removal of absorbent material.

Abstract: A permanent receptacle for collecting urine from women comprises a tray (2) and an oblong bevelled funnel (5) which co-operates with the urethra; the tray has a raised lip (4) conformed to surround the female organs, inside which is located said funnel (5) surround by a gutter (10) and, on one side only by a basin (12); the funnel (5) and the gutter (10) communicate with a collecting enclosure adjacent to the tray. The collecting enclosure has emptying means associated with a pumping system.

Abstract: Catamenial appliance having an outwardly spring biased flexible ring insertable into the vagina of a female and over the cervix, attached to a closed collecting sheath to contain and direct menstrual flow. The collecting sheath protrudes only slightly from the vagina yet will still permit total intra-vaginal containment of menses. In alternate embodiments, the distal end may be provided with means to permit emptying of menses without removal of the ring and sheath.

Abstract: An incontinence device for use by females wherein the device includes a forwardly facing internal leg, the internal leg having a curved surface dimensioned so as to conform to the anterior vaginal wall. The device further includes an external leg connected to the internal leg by a U-shaped bite portion to define therewith a generally J-shaped structure. The external leg is dimensioned so as to conform to the mons veneris of the female using the device. The device includes a further internal leg extending rearwardly therefrom toward the cervix.

Abstract: The invention provides a urinary device which can be used with comfort and safety when walking, as well as when sitting or reclining, and is characterized as comprising an externally applied support device, and a periurethral adapter which acts as an outflow tract or conduit, said device and adapter being interconnected so as to permit vertical or up and down adjustments of the adapter relative to the urinary meatus of the wearer and also permits in and out changes or adjustments in the position of the periurethral adapter, thus enabling the adapter to be positioned and maintained in contract with the urinary meatus. The periurethral adapter is characterized by a pair of laterally spaced flanges which lie between the labia minora, and in which the posterior vertically extending surfaces of the flanges which are received between the labia minora and engage the urinary meatus, are positioned to assist in preventing leakage.

Abstract: A female urinary drain assembly includes a waist band for encircling the waist of the wearer; a web of material suspended from the waist band so as to be located at the crotch of the wearer, the web having an opening through it; a urine collection funnel extending through the opening in the web and having a distal end forming a urine outlet and a proximal open end; a flange fixed on the funnel and locatable so as to bear against the inside face of the web to retain the funnel in position; and at least two leg straps connected to the web for encircling the legs of the wearer.

Abstract: Catamenial appliance having a spring biased flexible ring insertable into the vagina of a female and over the cervix, attached to a collecting sheath to contain and direct menstrual flow. The collecting sheath protrudes from the vagina and is releasably attachable to a replaceable collector pouch containing leakproof internal reservoir means to receive and contain the menstrual flow. In alternate embodiments, the collecting sheath is provided with means to permit total intra-vaginal containment of menses. The collector pouch may be fabricated of water-degradable materials to permit the collector pouch to be disposed of in a standard commode.

Abstract: A urine incontinence device particularly for women is provided having an elongated urine receiving element made from elastic material. The receiving element is open on one side for receiving urine, and attached via a tube to a collection receptacle. The open side of the receiving element contains an inset body of moisture absorbing material. The inset body is provided with a peripheral edge portion which overlies the circumferential edge of the receiving element to separate the receiving element from a patient. The inset body has a plurality of protuberances which extend into receiving element to aid in pumping liquid to the collection receptacle upon movement of the legs of an associated patient to squeeze fluid from the inset body.

Abstract: In a part (2) comprised of a slightly elastic material, a collector structure (11) is arranged above a collecting cavity (19) provided with an outlet (7). The collector structure (11) is comprised of two side pieces (11a, 11b) in the form of zigzag-shaped prominences. The structure delimits a wet zone (22), while a moist zone (23) is delimited by the lateral regions (18a, 18b) of the border (18) together with a rear bead (17) and a front bead (15). The collector structure (11) is placed between the labia minora and labia majora of the woman, while the elements delimiting the moist zone come to lie outside the labia majora. The inventive urine collector enables incontinent women to freely move about without risk of their garments being contacted with urine.

Abstract: A shallow collection vessel with liquid sensors and a resilient lip allows air around the genital-urinary area when not activated. Liquid urine in the vessel causes the sensors to activate a vacuum pump drawing the lip against the body of the user for a liquid tight seal and pumping the urine from the vessel through a tube and one-way valve to a temporary storage tank. Close and random spacing of the sensors creates a very sensitive device activated when the device is in any spacial orientation which might cause urine to contact the body by a minimal amount of urine, effecting the vacuum pump to remain active evaporating the urine within the vessel until the vessel is substantially dry. Paired electrical contacts or paired fibre optic elements are alternate liquid sensor means. Liquid level indicators within the tank signal a desired level for emptying and cause the pump to shut off upon reaching a dangerously full level. A condensation collecting trap keeps liquid out of the pump.

Abstract: A device for collecting fluid discharged from female organs. The device includes a flexible pad having an elongated central opening to register with the female pudendum. Ridges are formed on the inner surface of the pad, on either side of the opening, and are adapted to exert pressure on the area bordering the labia majora to urge the labia to an open condition. Corresponding edges of the ridges at one end of the pad are spaced apart to provide a gap to receive the clitoris, while corresponding ends of the ridges at the opposite end of the pad are connected together at a junction which is adapted to engage the navicular fossa. In one form of the invention, in which the device is utilized to collect urine, a bag or receptacle is connected to the opening in the pad and the lower end of the receptacle defines an outlet that is connected through a conduit to a vacuum pump.