Abstract: Methods and devices for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft and a housing fixed to the elongate shaft proximate a distal end thereof. A tip member is slidingly disposed within a cavity defined by the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tip member is configured such that the housing is substantially centered about the guidewire. In another preferred embodiment, the tip member is slidingly disposed within the housing, and the tip member may be moved between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A paint drying system for drying a painted body (4), such as a painted motor vehicle, includes a spraybooth (1) having an enclosure (2) through which air flows from an air inlet (6) to an air outlet (16, 18). The spraybooth (1) may also have columns of air jets (34) mounted in respective corners of the enclosure (2) to direct air obliquely at surfaces of the vehicle body (4). The system includes ionization members (33) for electrically charging this air supply. In a preferred embodiment the air is negatively charged by ionization members comprising one or elongate rods (33) mounted parallel with the columns of air jets (34). The spraybooth (2) may also have a control system (210) for controlling the paint drying system (4). The control system (210) has user-operable controls (234) to pre-select a predetermined parameter/combination of parameters and thus control the characteristics of a respective drying stage or cycle which parameters, e.g. temperature, vary with time.

Abstract: A nebule comprising at least one identification marker or label can be coupled an aerosol generator. The identification marker can be sensed by a sensing device on the aerosol generator so as to identify the liquid in the nebule to the controller of the aerosol generator. The controller of the aerosol generator can control the aerosol generator based on the information read from the identification marker.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for clearing modes of operation of a medical engineering device, especially modes of operation on a respirator (1), such as IMV (Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or HFV (High-Frequency Ventilation). The clearing is performed with an external electronic, optical or magnetic storage medium, e.g., a chip card (2), on which data that determine the available modes of operation and optionally the duration of their availability are present. The data on the chip card (2) are read by a writing and reading unit (3) of the respirator (1). The data may be coded, the duration of availability of a mode of respiration may be controlled by keeping a time log (9) on the chip card, and the corresponding time periods are debited from the time log (9) each time a certain mode of operation is used.

Abstract: A connector, applicator and method for mechanically connecting hollow structures, in particular small blood vessels, in order to make an anastomosis. The connector incorporates various features to create a reliable engagement with the vessel walls to make a good connection thereof. The connector includes knife members to make an arteriotomy in and punch a hole in one of the vessel walls, an expansion portion to cause a large expansion with a minimum profile, and anvil members to reliably bring the staple-like elements to the joining position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a medical agent, such as an embolic coil into a vessel, or aneurysm, by utilizing a stabilizing catheter to retain or support a medical agent deployment device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a nasal mask assembly that includes a seal member defined from a unitary piece of elastomeric material. The seal member defines a nose receiving cavity and has a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite the first end portion. A first opening in the first end portion allows at least a portion of a nose to enter the nose receiving cavity such that the nares of the patient communicate with the nose receiving cavity. The seal member includes a neck portion defined in the second end portion and a second opening defined in the neck portion in communication with the nose receiving cavity. A reinforcement area is provided on the side walls of the seal member. The reinforcement area comprises a saddle shaped contoured area on each side of the seal member. Each saddle shaped area has an upper and a lower protrusion portion for providing supporting contact with the face.

Abstract: A CPAP system for supplying humidified gases to a user is disclosed in which various interfaces are described for gas delivery. A mask cushion including a deformable cushion and thin sheath is described. A forehead rest with a horizontal pivot that is attached to the mask is disclosed. An outlet vent to reduce the noise from exhausted carbon dioxide is described. A mouthpiece is also described with an outlet diffuser including Heat Moisture Exchanger Material.

Abstract: Treatment of pulmonary disorders associated with hypoxemia and/or smooth muscle constriction and/or inflammation comprises administering into the lungs as a gas compound with an NO group which does not form NO2/NOx in the presence of oxygen or reactive oxygen species at body temperature. Treatment of cardiac and blood disorders, e.g., angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, sickle cell disease and clotting disorders, comprises administering into the lungs as a gas, a compound which reacts with cysteine in hemoglobin and/or dissolves in blood and has an NO group which is bound in said compound so that it does not form NO2/NOx in the presence of oxygen or reactive oxygen species at body temperature. Exemplary of the compound administered in each case is ethyl nitrite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic limb covering and an associated method of treating chronic swelling of a limb. The limb covering is uses hydrostatic pressure provided by liquid contained within the covering to apply pressure to the limb. The limb covering comprises a substantially non-distensible flexible outer layer, a distensible flexible inner layer joined together and a liquid tight bladder therebetween. The covering may be adapted for releasable securement about a limb such as an arm or a lower leg and foot of a patient. After placement on the limb, when the bladder is filled with a liquid, such as water, it expands to contact and apply pressure to the limb.

Abstract: Disclosed is a freeze-drying apparatus for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc., wherein liquid material is directly and distributively poured into upright cylindrical tubes, then, in its isolated state from external atmosphere for perfect sterilization, the liquid material is frozen with uniform thickness onto inner wall surface of the tubes, with further possibility of uniform heating of the freeze-dried layer. The main body of this apparatus is constructed with upright cylindrical tubes for freezing liquid material onto inner surface of tubes and jackets to surround the outer periphery of each of the tubes in a substantially concentric cylindrical shape, within which to circulate heat medium; then, a duct communicating to the vacuum exhaust system is connected to the upper end side of these tubes, while, a recovery chamber provided with valve is connected to the lower end side of tubes; and an inlet port is defined for feeding liquid material into inner cavity of tubes.

Abstract: A device for manipulating intrathoracic pressures comprises a compressible bag structure, and an interface member coupled to the bag structure. A one way forward valve is coupled to the bag structure to permit respiratory gas to flow to the patient when the bag structure is compressed. A one way exit valve is employed to allow respiratory gases to be pulled from the person's airway upon decompression of the bag structure to produce a negative intrathoracic pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas includes (a) at least one humidifier part configured to retain a body of liquid therein and defining at least one chamber therein, (b) an inlet communicated with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a blower outlet, and (c) an oulet communicated with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a patient supply conduit. The at least one chamber is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the at least one humidifier part through the inlet thereof when the at least one humidifier part is rotated from a working, upright orientation.

Abstract: There is provided a housing for a dispenser suitable for dispensing medicament, particularly for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The housing comprises a body; said body including a support for receipt of said aerosol container; a first outlet port connectable to a first pressure recorder for recording change of pressure on firing of said aerosol container; and a second outlet port connectable to a second pressure recorder for recording air pressure within the body; wherein said first outlet port and said second outlet port are separate such that the change of pressure on firing and the air pressure within the body are individually recordable.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotatable chuck for supporting a substrate and a splash guard. The splash guard surrounds the chuck and surrounds a substrate mounted on the chuck. The splash guard has a portion that deflects fluid being flung off the substrate by centrifugal action in a manner so as to not splash back onto the substrate. The splash guard is moveable between a process position in which the upper annular edge of the splash guard extends above the chuck and a substrate on the chuck, and a load/unload position in which the splash guard is tilted so that one side of the upper annular edge is below an upper edge of the chuck. The movement of the splash guard facilitates loading and unloading of a substrate.

Abstract: A system for enabling the insertion and removal of an embolic protection device, for capturing and retaining embolic debris which may be created during the performance of a therapeutic interventional procedure in a stenosed or occluded region of a blood vessel. The system, in an embodiment thereof, is capable of enabling at least one operator to control the delivery and removal of an embolic protection device to a position in a patient's vasculature distal to an interventional procedure site, to enable the exchange of the delivery and recovery system. The system, in another embodiment thereof, includes a delivery system and a recovery system which are capable of enabling the delivery and recovery of an embolic protection device so as to maintain a clinically acceptable profile and flexibility through the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A combination tumble and cabinet dryer appliance includes a housing with a tumble dryer and a cabinet dryer therein. The tumble dryer and cabinet dryer are operable independently of one another. Separate sources of hot air are provided to each of the tumble and cabinet dryers. The cabinet dryer extends over and along one side of the tumble dryer. A portion of the cabinet dryer extends substantially along the height of the housing so as to receive long hanging clothes, such as a dress. Removable shelves are provided in the cabinet dryer for drying sweaters and the like.

Abstract: A grooming device having a first unit and upper hand-held unit connected to the first unit is disclosed. A vacuum unit in the first unit creates a vacuum air flow in a vacuum chamber in the hand-held unit, while a heating unit in the first unit generates a heated air flow to a heat chamber in the hand-held unit. The heat chamber and vacuum chamber are contained within a vessel in the hand-held unit. The heat chamber is separated from the vacuum chamber by a wall having regularly spaced pores. When both the vacuum unit and heating unit of the device are switched on, the vacuum flow in the vacuum chamber pulls heated air from the heat chamber through pores in the wall so that dry, heated air flows along the length of the vessel. Thus, hair placed in the vacuum chamber of the hand-held unit is exposed to the combined effect of the vacuum and flow of heated air. In a further embodiment, the wall of the vacuum chamber is heated by a heating element thereby causing the vacuum flow to be heated.

Abstract: A medical device for vessel occlusion, the medical device including an elongated body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a lumen disposed therethrough, an balloon disposed at the distal end portion of the elongated body, the balloon in fluid communication with the lumen. An opening defined at the proximal end portion of the elongated body, the opening being in fluid communication with the balloon via the lumen, and a valve body moveably disposed at the proximal end portion of the elongated body, the valve body movable between a closed position and an open position, the valve body configured to engage a surface of the elongated body, distal to the opening, to seal the opening when the valve body is in the closed position.

Abstract: A filtering face mask that includes a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a person and a harness that is attached to the mask body. The mask body comprises i) a first shaping layer that has been molded; ii) a second shaping layer that has been molded; iii) a filtration layer that is disposed between the first and second shaping layers; iv) a first adhesive layer that adheres the first shaping layer to the filtration layer; and v) a second adhesive layer that adheres the second shaping layer to the filtration layer.