Abstract: A stent retractor/distractor includes a radially flexibly enlargeable, pipe-shaped sheath which is divided up in the circumferential direction in at least two sections, namely one stiffening section and one enlarging section with differing radial flexibilities, which are connected with each other in one piece of material. The stent retractor/distractor defined in that way is made on the whole by a laser or water jet cutting procedure, preferably from a pipe blank.

Abstract: A hot air extraction vaporizer that is provided with a heat exchanger, a filling chamber for accommodating a substance generating an aerosol when subjected to heat, and a vaporizer outlet for inhaling the aerosol/air mixture. The heat exchanger is in a thermally conductive connection with the filling chamber that when heated up subjects the substance to radiant heat. The heat exchanger is provided with at least one airflow channel generating a hot airflow. The filling chamber comprises at least one of airflow passages and a mesh allowing the hot airflow to pass through the filling chamber and the substance provided therein.

Abstract: The manual filling of vaporizable substances into the filling chamber of an inhaler by the user is suitable, in particular, for the requirements of a medical application only in limited circumstances. As a rule, there is the risk of an incorrect dosage. Moreover, many patients are not at all capable of carrying out such a difficult task owing to their motor skills ailments or other conditions that render them disabled. Medical application therefore requires an economical form that has already been pre-dosed with the desired substance (medicament) by the pharmacist or the pharmaceutical company and that is a standardized single-use component. A dosage pad that has already been pre-dosed by the manufacturer ensures that the proper amount of medication is used. In particular, a dosage pad containing a medicament that is vaporizable by heat in an inhaler and that is effectual upon inhalation avoids the problems associated attempting to fill an inhaler manually with the correct dosage.

Abstract: The valve mechanism previously used for inhalation from a valve balloon is expensive, heavy and sensitive, and requires a lot of maintenance. With the new valve mechanism, which is principally composed of an elastic, slotted membrane, the membrane can be pushed open with a tube, and the valve balloon can be filled and then emptied again by a tube. The membrane closes automatically and, in cooperation with a mouthpiece, can push the latter back into its starting position. The balloon is secured within the valve housing by means of a clamping ring. This design permits inexpensive production of a complete valve balloon, including mouthpiece, which is suitable for one-off use, as is required, for hygiene reasons, in medical applications. Moreover, the new valve balloon is lighter and more robust than the previous models.