Abstract: A pneumatic vibratory diaphragm pump, having a casing (12, 14) comprising an upper chamber (17) having an inlet (59) by which air can be drawn from outside the casing and a lower chamber (16) having an outlet (N) from which air can issue from the casing, an oscillatory armature (22) within the lower chamber to actuate a diaphragm (28b) of at least one diaphragm and valve assembly (28, 30) and drive (80,20) to cause oscillatory movement of the armature. Each diaphragm and valve assembly is arranged so as to induce air to be pumped by it from the upper chamber and to discharge air into the lower chamber whereafter the discharged air is issued from said outlet. Venting means (70, 74, 76) is provided to allow air which has been discharged from the casing into a container to return therefrom and exhaust from the casing when the pump is inactive.

Abstract: A pressure control valve (10) comprises a first element (14) arranged to pivot relative to a second element (18) in response to inflation and deflation of a sac (16) interposed between the elements, the second element having a fluid passageway (32, 34) including an outlet (32a) which is controlled by said first element by virtue of its pivotal movement, said fluid passageway communicating with said inflatable sac, means (30) being provided to adjust and limit the pivotal action of the first element.

Abstract: A plug and socket value assembly including three main components is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a body or insert having an inlet and outlet, a closure element having a resilient seal which isolates the inlet from the outlet, and a connector plug having a fluid passageway which, when inserted into the body, displaces the closure element and opens the valve to allow fluid flow. The seal comprises a resiliently deformable end part which is urged against the body. This forces the body into the casing opening of the article in which the valve assembly is disposed and firmly secures the valve assembly in the casing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a skull helmet, which in use, is worn on the head of a patient and receive circulatory cooling fluid to cool the patient's scalp. The helmet is particularly useful when a patient undergoes chemotherapy in that the cooling effect has been found to minimize hair loss in some applications and the term heat transfer fluid as used herein shall apply to both coolants and heating fluids.

Abstract: An inflatable garment (12, 12', 46) for use in intermittent compression therapy includes a foot portion (36, 36', 74) formed by a plurality of inflatable sacs(s). The sacs are arranged such that when inflated pressure is applied thereby inwardly of the foot portion predominantly from above and from below a notional substantially horizontal plane (h) passing centrally through the foot portion of the garment.