Abstract: A hand held device for regulating and monitoring air pressure. The device comprises an elongate barrel having a crown end and an opposite end attachment structure for connecting the device to a point of use such as an inflatable endotracheal cuff. A plunger pump in the barrel is digitally operable at the crown end for generating air pressure within a chamber the in barrel. A pressure monitoring gauge is carried by the barrel. Air pressure generated by the plunger pump communicates from the chamber through the attachment structure with the point of use, and through a mercury reservoir with the pressure monitoring gauge. A second digitally operable plunger carried by the barrel and engageable at the crown end is adapted for selectively releasing the air pressure from the chamber.

Abstract: A midstream urine collection device (10, 110) includes a urine receiving cup (12) into which a sample of urine is deposited. A barrel (28) is attached to the receiving cup (12) and has a receiving bore (44) therein. A needle assembly (23) is mounted in the barrel (28) in flow communication with the inside of the receiving cup (12). An evacuated container (46) is adapted to be inserted into the receiving bore (44) of the barrel (28) so that a cannula (24) of the needle assembly (23) pierces a plug (50) on the container (46), whereby urine is drawn from the cup (12) into the evacuated container (46). The needle assembly may have a valve (25) closing off the flow through the needle cannula. The valve may be a valve sleeve (26) which also shrouds the end of the needle cannula.

Abstract: An endometrial sampling device (10) for collecting body material for diagnostic testing includes a handle (12), a generally cylindrical sample collecting member (14, 14a) connected to the handle (12) and having a longitudinal chamber (22, 70), slot (24, 72), and a transverse slot (26) for scraping the walls of the uterus and moving sample material into chamber (22, 70). The handle (12) has a passage (24, 72) connected with the chamber (22, 70) to which a suction force may be applied. A stop member (16) has a slide (36) for gathering collected sample material. The collecting member (14, 14a) is made of a plastic material which can be severed from the handle (12) if desired to convey the sample therein. If desired, the stop member (16) and slide member (36) can be removed from the device (10) after it has gathered the sample.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated shaft, an inflatable balloon secured to the shaft, and an inflation lumen extending along the shaft and communicating with the balloon. The catheter has valve means communicating with the inflation lumen, with the valve means being normally closed and being openable to pump fluid into the inflation lumen for inflating the balloon. The catheter also has vent means communicating with the inflation lumen, with the vent means being normally closed and opening responsive to closure of the valve means and a pressure in the balloon above a predetermined amount, such that the vent means relieves pressure in the balloon above the predetermined amount after inflation of the balloon.

Abstract: A device for collecting aseptic liquid specimens comprising, a container having wall means defining a chamber and an opening communicating with the chamber. The device has liquid sampling means comprising, compressible liquid absorption means for receiving the liquid specimen, and handle means for supporting the absorption means while receiving the specimen and placing the specimen containing absorption means in the chamber through the container opening. The device has means for compressing the absorption means in the container chamber to release the specimen into the chamber.