Abstract: A patient ventilating (23) and aspirating system (8) is disclosed that has a suction tube (9) and connector (6) for connecting to a catheter mount that has a scaled passageway (15). The catheter mount passageway (15) is sealed with an elastomeric seal (16) including a perforation or slit (17). A connector (12) with a piercing member is associated with the suction tube (9). When the connector is attached to the catheter mount the piercing member (20) pierces the seal (16) such that the suction tube (9) can pass through the connector (6) and catheter mount.

Abstract: A cervical plate system (1) and method for use in the fixation of a spine comprising a fixation plate (2) having a aperture (3) extending from a bone fixation plate (2) top surface (5) to a bottom surface (12), dimensioned for admitting a bone fixation element (4) shank (15) therethrough and smaller than a bone fixation element (4) head (16) for retaining the head (16) within the aperture (3); and a locking plate (11) positioned adjacent to a surface of the fixation plate (2) and dimensioned for slidable movement along a lateral axis (13) of the fixation plate surface, from a first position wherein the locking plate (11) disengages at least a portion of the bone fixation element (4) to a second position wherein the locking plate (11) engages at least a portion of the bone fixation element (4).

Abstract: An air flow device includes a flow passage having opposite ends. The flow passage (30) is divided into a plurality of sequential portions between the ends including an inlet portion (42) extending into the flow passage (30) from an inlet end (34) an outlet portion (36) disposed at the opposite end of the flow passage (30) from the inlet portion (34), and at least one intermediate passage portion (44) between the inlet passage portion and the outlet passage portion. Each of a plurality of divider sets are positioned in a different sequential portion of the passage to divide that passage portion into a predetermined number of additional passages. At least one of the additional passages is smaller than at least one of the preceding passages.

Abstract: A cerclage device includes a base member, a cerclage member, and a drive member. The base member has a length sufficient to allow for manual holding by a user, an interior space extending from a distal end toward a proximal end, and a slot extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. The cerclage member has a long side with a proximal end and a distal end and a curvature in one direction about its long side at least at the distal end. The cerclage member allows for attaching a suture and fits within and is straightened by the base member within the interior space when in a retracted position. When the drive member is attached to the cerclage member movement of the engagement portion in the slot pushes and pulls the cerclage member to/from the straightened position from/to the extended curved position.

Abstract: A patient resuscitation/respiratory system includes a system control unit with a timer module controlling a plurality of air pressure modules. In an exemplary embodiment, the air pressure modules include a first air pressure module for controlling a first flow of pressurized gas from a first pressurized gas supply to an inflatable abdominal cuff, a second air pressure module for controlling a second flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable chest cuff, and a third air pressure module for controlling a third flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable leg cuff. The control unit in this embodiment includes a ventilator supply module for controlling a flow of breathable gas from a second pressurized gas supply to a patient ventilator module to periodically connect the patient ventilator module and the patient's lungs to the breathable gas supply.

Abstract: A device for inserting a tracheal tube into a tracheostomy has as insertion aid with a shaft (6, 6?, 14) which can be inserted through the tracheal tube, and a conical tip (2, 13) which is or can be joined to the tracheal tube. In order to provide a device for inserting a tracheal tube which considerably reduces the risk of injury when inserting the tracheal tube, which makes the insertion process easier, the inserted tube being highly comfortable even with a long-term use, keeping low the danger of injuries or sore points in the trachea, the insertion aid according to the invention has a conical tip (2, 13) which can have a small base diameter in a first state and a large base diameter in a second state.