Abstract: An apparatus for continuously winding a length of material into a helical form includes a frame structure and a plurality of rollers mounted on the frame structure. Each roller has a non-grooved surface with portions of a different diameter, a longitudinal axis and oppositely positioned first and second ends, and the plurality of rollers are arranged about a winder axis in a substantially circular fashion. The rollers are individually rotatably driven and the first and second ends of each roller are offset with respect to one another as viewed from one end of the respective roller along a line parallel to the winder axis and passing through the longitudinal axis of the respective roller at the one end of the respective roller. The method includes continuously feeding a length material onto a plurality of rollers that are arranged in a substantially cylindrical manner about a winder axis so that the outer surfaces of the rollers define a cylindrical winder surface about which the material is to be wound.

Abstract: A laser resistant endotracheal tube having a laser resistant layer surrounding the tube for at least a portion of the tube length. The laser resistant layer has a plurality of surface irregularities that are spaced from one another in a plurality of directions and which reflectively scatter laser energy. The laser resistant layer can be applied as an adhesive backed tape which has adhesive on only a portion of the width so that when the tape is spirally wrapped around the tube, the adhesive substantially avoids contact with previously wrapped tape. The tube can be provided with an inflatable cuff that is protected from degradation by an adjacent protective collar and the collar and a portion of the laser resistant layer can be covered with a laser resistant collar. The laser resistant layer can be covered by a cut resistant textile. A laser resistant tape, material and article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical-surgical tube having a major lumen defined by an inner periphery of a wall of the tube, an injection lumen within the wall of the tube, and at least one one-way valve in the wall. The valve allows fluid to flow from the injection lumen through an outer or inner periphery of the wall of the tube and prevents return of the fluid back into the injection lumen. The tube can include a plurality of spaced-apart valves. The valve can be a piercing in the wall of the tube which is defined by opposed surfaces resiliently biased against each other and extending from the injection lumen to the outer or inner periphery of the wall of the tube.

Abstract: Proximal end connector units, by which medico-surgical tubes may be attached to breathing circuits or like fluid flow devices in a manner that mitigates interference with operations being performed on patients intubated with the MS tubes, comprising a straight, rigid, cylindrical distal end portion, a straight, rigid, cylindrical proximal end portion, a central tubular portion joining the distal end portion to the proximal end portion, the central tubular portion being bendable in an arc of at least 180.degree. without diminution of its effective lumen, such proximal end portion, distal end portion and central tubular portion all being integral and formed of the same thin, plastic material, the central tubular portion comprising a plurality of circumferential, angular segments each consisting of a pair of sides that are of unequal length, the central tubular portion being compressed lengthwise by having the shorter side in each segment folded back under its longer side.

Abstract: Closed system, combined suction and ventilation medico-surgical tube devices include (1) a suction catheter, (2) a suction control valve positioned at the distal end of the system, (3) a multi-port coupling unit through which the catheter is fed for aspiration of a patient, (4) a flexible tubular sheath providing a sterility protective enclosure for the catheter fixed at its distal end to the proximal end of the coupling unit and (5) a sheath relief valve. The coupling units (4) have two separate members, one of which is fitted axially into the other so they may rotate relative to each other about their longitudinal axes to close and open access of the catheter from the sheath through the coupling unit into the patient. The suction control valves (2) have first and second substantially identical parts positioned together along a longitudinal side in sliding engagement with each other for movement between an open and a closed position of the valves.

Abstract: Thoracic catheters to be implanted in the chest or other body portion of a patient by withdrawal of the proximal end through a secondary incision at a suitable site are improved by having a tapered proximal end portion thereon which has a smoothly contoured nose through which a small lumen extends that permits the surgeon to securely grasp the catheter with a Kelly clamp by having one jaw of the clamp inside the nose lumen and the other jaw on the outside of the nose.