Disclosed is a tampon applicator package assembly having a tampon applicator and a cap having a closed end and an open end. The tampon applicator has a barrel for housing a pledget and a plunger. The plunger has an end portion that is a cap cover that connects to a remainder of the plunger and mates with the cap at the open end to provide a seal with the cap that completely encloses the tampon applicator in the cap. Also disclosed is an assembly having a tampon applicator, a cap having both a closed end and open end, and a cap cover for covering the open end of the cap. When the cap cover is placed on the open end, the open end is sealed and the tampon applicator is completely enclosed in the cap.

Disclosed is a tampon applicator package assembly having a tampon applicator and a cap having a closed end and an open end. The tampon applicator has a barrel for housing a pledget and a plunger. The plunger has an end portion that is a cap cover that connects to a remainder of the plunger and mates with the cap at the open end to provide a seal with the cap that completely encloses the tampon applicator in the cap. Also disclosed is an assembly having a tampon applicator, a cap having both a closed end and open end, and a cap cover for covering the open end of the cap. When the cap cover is placed on the open end, the open end is sealed and the tampon applicator is completely enclosed in the cap.

A surgical sponge including a sponge material configured an elongate sponge having multiple compressed layers and a flattened shape characterized by a generally flat upper surface, a generally flat lower surface, with the sponge having a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the sponge, one reduced dimension end of the elongate sponge having an end length and reducing in dimension distally along the end length; stitches along the length of the sponge to compress the sponge material and maintain the layers in compression to maintain the flattened shape of the sponge; and a length of stitch material extending from the reduced dimension end to provide a structure that is engageable for use in positioning or removal of the sponge during a surgical procedure.

A system for delivery of molecular hydrogen (H.sub.2) into a bodily orifice of a subject, such as the vagina or anus/rectum, to provide therapeutic effect.

A system for delivery of molecular hydrogen (H.sub.2) into a bodily orifice of a subject, such as the vagina or anus/rectum, to provide therapeutic effect.

The present invention comprises methods and devices for collection of fluids, including cells and cellular materials, from the uterus. A device of the present invention comprises a central tubing member to which, at least, a flexible tubing member and an absorbable member are connected at least at one point. The absorbable member is connected to at least one portion of the central tubing member and to at least one portion of the flexible tubing member. The devices of the present invention are useful in methods of collection of uterine fluids, including blood, cells and cellular material.

The present invention comprises methods and devices for collection of fluids, including cells and cellular materials, from the uterus. A device of the present invention comprises a central tubing member to which, at least, a flexible tubing member and an absorbable member are connected at least at one point. The absorbable member is connected to at least one portion of the central tubing member and to at least one portion of the flexible tubing member. The devices of the present invention are useful in methods of collection of uterine fluids, including blood, cells and cellular material.

A tampon (1) has at least one absorbent body made from an absorbent material (6), the tampon (1) having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and a middle part extending between the distal end and the proximal end, as well as an extraction device (5) connected to the absorbent body and situated at the distal end (3). The tampon has a covering made from a nonwoven material (4), which, with the exception of a pass-through opening (13) for the extraction device (5), completely covers at least the distal end (3), by which the escaping of fibers at the distal end (3) is prevented, and the covering additionally forming a protection against the fluid leakage.

A tampon (1) has at least one absorbent body made from an absorbent material (6), the tampon (1) having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and a middle part extending between the distal end and the proximal end, as well as an extraction device (5) connected to the absorbent body and situated at the distal end (3). The tampon has a covering made from a nonwoven material (4), which, with the exception of a pass-through opening (13) for the extraction device (5), completely covers at least the distal end (3), by which the escaping of fibers at the distal end (3) is prevented, and the covering additionally forming a protection against the fluid leakage.

An improved apparatus for forming tampon blanks for further processing into compressed, self-sustaining tampons, permits increased speed and accuracy of the process step. The apparatus includes a sliver guide; a gripper capable of reciprocating motion and arranged and configured to cooperate with the sliver 5 guide to grasp an end of a sliver maintained therein; a winding mandrel; a plurality of winding cups; and e) a string application and knotter apparatus comprising a circular ring bearing having a string conveyor mounted thereon. The circular ring bearing of the string application and knotter apparatus defines a plane perpendicular to the sliver guide and motion of the gripper and parallel to the 10 winding axis of the winding mandrel.