Abstract: A double lumen-type catheter design which prevents damage to a child catheter and loosening of a stud valve of the double lumen-type catheter. A child catheter is housed inside a parent catheter so that it can freely slide, with the back end of the parent catheter joining with a front end of a Y-type connector with a branching path. The back end of the child catheter extends so that it passes through a back of the Y-type connector toward. A stud valve locks the back end of the child catheter at the back end of the Y-type connector. A cover covers the stud valve at the back end of the Y-type connector and the back end of the child catheter, and is attached so that it can be removed and replaced as needed.

Abstract: A speaking valve for a tracheostomy tube which is disposed in the first end of the tube protruding from the throat of the patient. The valve has guiding ribs and a retainer to retain a ball within the end of the tube. The flow of air around the ball is unrestricted to reduce the force required to move the ball when the patient inhales and exhales. A spherical chamber is formed in which the ball is disposed. The tracheostomy tube with the valve in the first end presents a low profile.

Abstract: A medical device which includes tubing which is partially reinforced and partially unreinforced. The device is formed by first providing tubing which is reinforced over its entire length, severing or weakening the reinforcing element, and removing an end portion of the reinforcing element. The reinforcing element can be severed or weakened using, for example, a laser. Any damage caused by the severing/weakening and/or removal of the reinforcing element can then be repaired by inserting the tubing into a heated die. An apparatus for performing the severing/weakening, removal and repair operations is also provided. The tube may be used to supply oxygen as a tracheal tube.

Abstract: A connector which includes a female part having a barrel-shaped body, with a socket extending into the female part from one end of the barrel-shaped body. The socket includes first, second, and third step portions which respectively receive a flange, a shoulder, and a stem of a male part. A lip extends radially inwardly from the barrel-shaped body of the female part, with the lip having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flange of the male part. The male part can be inserted into the female part by inserting the flange of the male part past the lip of the female part, such that the male and female parts are snapped together. In a presently preferred embodiment, a seal ring is disposed between the male and female parts, and the seal ring is compressed in an axial direction, thereby providing the connector with a fluid tight seal.

Abstract: The invention is a hemostasis valve having a main body, a proximal end cap, a register member, and a reinforcing member. The main body has a proximal end, a distal end, and a first bore having a proximal end at the proximal end of the main body and a distal end at the distal end of the main body. The first bore has a first flexure-receiving enlargement at its proximal end. The proximal end cap is joined to the proximal end of the main body and forms therewith a valve chamber. The proximal end cap has a second bore formed therethrough that is at least approximately an extension of the first bore. The register member is received in the valve chamber adjacent the proximal end cap. The register member has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the register member has a third bore formed therethrough that is at least approximately an extension of the first and second bores.

Abstract: The invention is a hemostasis valve having a main body, a proximal end cap, a register member, and a reinforcing member. The main body has a proximal end, a distal end, and a first bore having a proximal end at the proximal end of the main body and a distal end at the distal end of the main body. The first bore has a first flexure-receiving enlargement at its proximal end. The proximal end cap is joined to the proximal end of the main body and forms therewith a valve chamber. The proximal end cap has a second bore formed therethrough that is at least approximately an extension of the first bore. The register member is received in the valve chamber adjacent the proximal end cap. The register member has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the register member has a third bore formed therethrough that is at least approximately an extension of the first and second bores.