Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has an inflatable sealing cuff (11) towards its patient end (6) and a fluid-permeable cuff (31) mounted on the shaft (1) above the inflatable cuff. The fluid-permeable cuff (31) contains hydrogel granules (32) that absorb moisture in the trachea (T) and help reduces the amount of secretions leaking past the sealing cuff (11). When the tube is to be withdrawn from the trachea (T) the lower, inflatable cuff (11) is deflated allowing the upper, fluid-permeable cuff (31) to be flattened against the outside of the lower cuff.

Abstract: A transfer device includes an elongate tube defining a lumen configured to support an organism and an obstruction positioned along the elongate tube. The obstruction is configured to prevent the organism from moving proximally past the obstruction, such that the obstruction defines a distal end region of the elongate tube in which the organism can move along the lumen of the elongate tube.

Abstract: An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80.

Abstract: An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5.0 mu. to 10.0 mu. are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters.

Abstract: An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5 .mu. to 10 .mu. are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging while still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle having an echogenic feature proximate to its distal sharp tip mounted to an echogenic cannula, with the echogenic tip of the needle extending beyond the distal end of the cannula. The echogenic tip provides guidance for the movement of the needle assembly under ultrasound observation so that the needle assembly may be more readily maneuvered inside a body. Once correctly positioned, the needle is removed and further confirmation may be made under ultrasound observation that the cannula has been correctly positioned inside the body. The echogenic feature of the needle may be at least one spiral groove that is tilted at an angle relative to the tip of the needle to effect a substantially 180° reflection of the ultrasound. An alternative echogenic feature to improve reflected echogeneity has crisscrossing grooves each having a predetermined pitch density formed at a neutral position on the needle.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (20, 120, 220 51, 61) inserted into and removable from the tube. The inner cannula has a constant internal diameter along its length and has at its patient end (22, 122, 222) a seal member (23, 123, 223) extending around the cannula. The seal member may be a separate ring 23 of resilient material attached to the outside of the shaft of the cannula or it may be formed of the material of the shaft (121, 221) itself. Alternatively, the seal member (50, 60) may be of a kind that expands when exposed to an elevated temperature or humidity, and may include a shape memory effect material.

Abstract: An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube is made by extruding tubing (41) and cutting into separate lengths or preforms (42). Each preform (42) is placed in a mould (50, 51, 52) and blow moulded to expand the preform into contact with an inner surface (53, 54) of the mould which is shaped to produce a pattern on the outside of the preform of two intersecting diagonal corrugations (211, 212) that act to strengthen the blow moulded preform against lateral forces. The inner surface of the mould may also be textured so that the blow moulded preform is given a texture (213) to reduce friction with the outer tube (1).

Abstract: A coupling (2) for a tracheostomy tube (1) has first component (21) with a short sleeve (23) at its patient end that it fitted on the patient end of the machine end coupling (17) on the tube so that the machine end of the coupling extends within a part-spherical formation (24) at the opposite end of the first component. The coupling (2) includes a second component (22) with a male tapered fitting (27) at its machine end and a part-spherical formation (28) at its patient end that is a close sliding fit inside the part-spherical formation (24) on the first component (21).

Abstract: An embryo transfer syringe has a roller (30) coupled with the rear end of its plunger (15). The roller (30) is displaceable along an elongate housing (20) extending from the rear of the barrel (10) of the syringe. The roller (30) can be manually engaged through a slot (23) along the housing (20) to rotate it and roll it along the housing thereby smoothly and controllably displacing the plunger (15).

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) is made from a first component (20) of a relatively hard plastics material that is overmoul - ded with a second component (29) of a softer plastics material (26). The first component (20) provides a machine end coupling (6) and a helical reinforcement member (23, 23?) extending along the region (3) that will, in use, extend through the tracheal tissue. The second component (29) extends along the reinforcement member (23, 23?) and beyond it to form the patient end (2) of the tube (1).

Abstract: A needle assembly of a metal shaft (10, 10?) and an outer plastics sleeve (12) is made by extruding the sleeve onto the outside of the shaft. The sleeve contains gas bubbles (13), preferably with a size in the range 5 ? to 10 ?, to increase the ultrasound visibility of the assembly. A sharp, penetrating tip (18) may be formed on the shaft either before or after the sleeve is extruded on the shaft. The metal shaft (10) may be supplied to the extruder 1 to 5 in a continuous length and cut to the size of the needle assemblies after extrusion of the sleeve (12). Alternatively, pre-cut lengths of metal shafts (10?) could be supplied to the extruder 1? to 5?, the sleeve being cut between the shafts after extrusion.

Abstract: A video introducer (2) is inserted in an endotracheal tube (1) and is retained by engagement of a connector (28) at the rear end of the introducer with a connector (16) inserted in the rear end (13) of the tube. The introducer (2) includes a shaft (21) integral with the connector (28) and having a channel (22) along its length. A cable (34) connected to a video camera (33) at the patient end of the shaft extends along the channel (22) to an electrical connector (35). The forward end (25) of the shaft (21) projects from the forward end (10) of the tube to provide a leading extension for inserting the tube in the trachea.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tracheal tube (1) and a removable inner cannula (20). The inner cannula (20) has a corrugated outer surface (23) but a smooth inner surface (22). At its patient end the inner cannula (20) has an integral tip (26) with a smooth outer surface that forms a close sliding fit with the inside of the outer tube (1). At its rear, machine end the inner cannula has an integral hub (30) that fits in a hub (18) on the outer tube. The smooth inner surface (22) of the inner cannula (20) allows non-turbulent gas flow along the assembly and facilitates insertion of devices along the cannula.

Abstract: A video viewing device 10, such as for use in inserting medical tubes 3, has an outer bendable sleeve 80 and an inner assembly comprising an electrical assembly 20 of a camera 11, cable 13 and connector 14 secured in a channel-shape support member 40. The inner assembly 20, 40 is threaded along the outer sleeve 80 so that the camera 11 is positioned at one end 12 and the connector 14 at its opposite end. The support member 40 is preferably made of two lengths 40A and 40B of different stiffness joined end to end with an angled butt join 42, the length towards the patient end 12 being more flexible so that the rear end of the viewing device 10 is stiffer than its patient end.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has an inner skeletal frame (40) of a relatively stiff plastics material having a longitudinal spine (45) and several annular ribs (42) extending around the frame. A thin, flexible plastics sheath (41) is bonded to the outside of the frame (40). The construction enables a maximum internal diameter with a minimum external diameter.

Abstract: A tracheal tube (40) or laryngeal mask has a sealing cuff (41, 2) with a surface covered by a brush-like material (44, 24) provided by closely-packed fibers (25) between 1 mm and 5 mm in length. The brush-like surface (44, 24) may be provided by coating the surface with an adhesive and using an electrostatic charge to draw fibers (25) to adhere to the adhesive.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter or other medical device has a shaft extruded with two layers. The outer layer is relatively thick and contains gas bubbles sufficient to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound observation but with a density that allows material within the catheter to be viewed by the eye. The inner layer is relatively thin and is free of bubbles so that it provides a smooth bore to the catheter.

Abstract: A needle assembly comprises a metal needle (1) with a hub (13) and a marker in the form of a bubble-filled plastics rod (2) inserted within the needle. The rod (2) makes the assembly more visible under ultrasound observation when confirming correct placement of the needle (1) and is subsequently removed when correct placement has been confirmed.

Abstract: An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5? to 10? are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen.