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.

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: A closed system suction catheter has a catheter enclosed within a flexible envelope secured between a patient end fitting and a machine end fitting. The patient end fitting has a cleaning chamber with a valve at its patient side and is normally closed so that the cleaning chamber is isolated from the patient. The valve has an outer rigid housing enclosing a one-piece elastomeric moulding of tubular shape. The elastomeric moulding has two pads projecting externally through openings in the outer housing. The elastomeric moulding also has a web extending internally across its diameter with a diametrically-extending slit aligned with the pads. A collar mounted on the housing is slidable along the housing to engage the pads so as to apply pressure across the web and open the slit, thereby allowing the catheter to be advanced to the patient.

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 (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 (25) to adhere to the adhesive.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has an inner skeletal frame (40) of a relatively stiff plasties material comprising a longitudinal spine (45) and several annular ribs (42) extending round 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: An intubation detector for an endotracheal tube has a resilient bellows and a carbon dioxide, color-change indicator mounted at the machine end of the tube. Compressing and releasing the bellows indicates whether or not the patient end of the tube is occluded. When the patient end of the tube is not occluded, gas is drawn into the indicator by the bellows to provide an indication of carbon dioxide level. The detector may be mounted at the machine end of a stiff introducer tube extended along the endotracheal tube. Alternatively, the detector may be mounted by a stem directly into the bore at the machine end of the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A tracheal tube has a sealing cuff towards its patient end and a suction aperture just above the cuff. The suction aperture connects via a lumen with a suction line terminated by a connector. One end of the connector is tapered and has a port for connection to a suction source. The connector also has a side port in which the nose of a syringe can be inserted to inject a lavage fluid out of the suction aperture to help loosen secretions. When not in use, the side port is closed by a valve or by a closure cap with formations for sealing the two ports.

Abstract: A face mask comprises a sealing collar (1) extending around the mouth with a shelf (4) extending under the nose supporting a gel insert (7) that makes sealing contact between the nostrils and a passage (6) through the shelf. A curved, rigid window (30) is a push fit in a central opening (2) of the collar (1) and has a gas inlet (33) attached with it so that the window can be removed or connected with the sealing collar as necessary. The collar (1) supported on the head by a harness (20) having two triangular portions (21) on opposite sides encircling respective ears.

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 closed system suction catheter has a catheter enclosed within a flexible envelope secured between a patient end fitting and a machine end fitting. The patient end fitting has a cleaning chamber with a valve at its patient side and is normally closed so that the cleaning chamber is isolated from the patient. The valve has an outer rigid housing enclosing a one-piece elastomeric moulding of tubular shape. The elastomeric moulding has two pads projecting externally through openings in the outer housing. The elastomeric moulding also has a web extending internally across its diameter with a diametrically-extending slit aligned with the pads. A collar mounted on the housing is slidable along the housing to engage the pads so as to apply pressure across the web and open the slit, thereby allowing the catheter to be advanced to the patient.

Abstract: An epidural catheter with a soft tip is formed by extruding a two-layer tube where the inner layer is stiffer than the outer layer. The inner layer is then removed, such as by machining, from a short length at the tip, which is subsequently end-formed closed and a side opening cut into it.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter has a main lumen, which opens close to the patient end through a side opening. The catheter is extruded with a second, smaller lumen, which is closed at both ends. The second lumen is filled with air so that it reflects ultrasound energy and enhances the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound observation.

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 &mgr; to 10 &mgr; 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.

Abstract: An introducer, such as for an endotracheal tube, comprises a solid rod made of an aliphatic polyurethane containing about 20% barium sulphate. The hardness of the material is about 60 Shore D so that the introducer is resilient within a range of deformation and beyond this range it is bendable into a set shape that only resumes its original shape at a slower rate.

Abstract: A tracheal tube has an extruded suction lumen extending along its length on the outside of the curvature of the tube. The suction lumen opens internally to the main lumen through a series of holes, which increase in size towards the patient end of the tube. Towards the machine end of the tube, the suction lumen is connected to a suction source by which suction is applied to the suction lumen to remove secretions that collect inside the tube.