Abstract: A tracheal tube has a cuff surrounding its exterior for being filled with liquid or air to expand the cuff against a patient's trachea to provide a sealed air passage through the tube into the patient's lungs. The cuff, in its expanded configuration, has a bulbed anterior portion which seals against the trachea, and a narrow, elongated posterior portion extending distally away from the bulb. The cuff configuration allows the cuff to stay in a fixed position in the trachea during use, which reduces trauma and irritation to the patient.

Abstract: Respiration apparatus, for anaesthetist's use, to minimize gas consumption by providing for a patient to rebreath deadspace gas (i.e. the gas previously present in the trachea, mouth and bronchial tree and which has not previously undergone change) comprises a housing enclosing an expansible container to which fresh gas is supplied by a fresh gas supply duct and also to the housing outside the container by way of a non-return valve which permits flow only from the respiration tube into the housing, adjustment means being provided to permit adjustment of the extent by which the container may expand.