Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes a flexible tube (1, 1?) and a flexible introducer (2, 2?) within the tube, the introducer having a passage (22) along its length for receiving a guidewire (9) inserted into the trachea (7) through a tracheostomy (6). The tube (1) has an inwardly-projecting collar (17, 17?) at its patient end (11), which engages an outwardly-projecting shoulder (24, 24?) on the introducer (2, 2?) so that the tube does not ride rearwardly along the introducer during insertion. The flexibility of the assembly is such that it can be inserted through the tracheostomy (6) while straight and then curves to follow the guidewire (9) as its patient end enters the trachea (7).

Abstract: An HME has exchange elements (4) at opposite ends of a tubular housing (1, 101) and a central port (2) for connection to a tracheal tube (3). An oxygen port (5, 105, 105?) is located centrally with the major part of it being contained within a recess (40, 140, 140?) on the exterior of the housing and extending at right angles to the length of the housing. The oxygen port (5, 105, 105?) opens into a wider passage (32, 32?) extending within the housing, which opens on the external face (30) of the two exchange elements (4). A large suction aperture (60) aligns with the port (2) opening to the tracheal tube (3) and is covered by a hinged flap (61) when not in use.

Abstract: An HME has exchange elements (4) at opposite ends of a tubular housing (1, 101) and a central port (2) for connection to a tracheal tube (3). An oxygen port (5, 105, 105) is located centrally with the major part of it being contained within a recess (40, 140, 140?) on the exterior of the housing and extending at right angles to the length of the housing. The oxygen port (5, 105, 105?) opens into a wider passage (32, 32?) extending within the housing, which opens on the external face (30) of the two exchange elements (4). A large suction aperture (60) aligns with the port (2) opening to the tracheal tube (3) and is covered by a hinged flap (61) when not in use.

Abstract: A tracheostomy instrument (1) used for inserting a tracheostomy tube has a needle (10) with colored bands (13) along its length and connected with a syringe (14) at its machine end. The syringe (14) is used to detect when the trachea (3) has been penetrated; the depth of penetration is indicated by observing which colored band (13) aligns with the skin surface (5). The machine end of the tracheostomy tube shaft (20) has a number of colored bands (26) corresponding to the bands (13) on the needle (10). A flange (24) is movable along the tube (2) and is locked in position against the colored band (26) corresponding to the band (13) on the needle (10) aligned with the skin surface (5).

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly has a flange arrangement (2) movable along the shaft (1) of the assembly and lockable at different positions. The flange arrangement has a gel-filled member (22) with a flexible conformable surface (26) providing substantially the entire surface contacting the skin. The flange has aperture (28) through which a tape can be extended for use in securing the assembly with the patient's neck. The gel-filled member (122) may be provided separately for use on existing tube assemblies.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly comprises an outer tube and an inner cannula. The machine end fitting of the outer tube has a bore of circular section interrupted by two flats. The machine end fitting of the inner cannula has an external surface shaped to fit within the fitting on the outer tube and also has two flats aligned with the flats on the outer tube fitting. Tubes of different sizes or other characteristics have flats with different orientations such that only inner cannulae suited for a particular outer tube can be inserted in the correct tube.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly has a flange arrangement (2) movable along the shaft (1) of the assembly and lockable at different positions. The flange arrangement has a gel-filled member (22) with a flexible conformable surface (26) providing substantially the entire surface contacting the skin. The flange has aperture (28) through which a tape can be extended for use in securing the assembly with the patient's neck. The gel-filled member (122) may be provided separately for use on existing tube assemblies.

Abstract: A cuffed silicone tracheostomy tube has two tapered recesses on its outer surface in which opposite ends of a resilient cuff are bonded using an adhesive or solvent. Two shallow ribs extend around the tube on the inner edge of each recess, projecting outwardly to prevent the adhesive or solvent spreading onto the inflatable portion of the cuff. The cuff has several shallow ribs extending around the cuff and spaced along its inflatable portion to promote even inflation.

Abstract: An IMS or other analytical instrument has a corona discharge needle (20) to ionize sample gases or vapours. A gate (3) is opened or closed to admit or prevent entry of the ions produced by the corona discharge to a drift chamber (4). The operation of the corona discharge needle (20) and the gate (3) are controlled such that the gate is open during at least two discharges, to admit faster ions produced by the most recent discharge together with slower ions produced by an earlier discharge.

Abstract: A resuscitator has two separate, spaced controls (23) and (30) both of which can be actuated manually to open a valve (100) and deliver a breathing cycle of a maximum timed duration to a patient. One control (23) has a button (24) on the top (13) of the unit (1), which is pushed in to actuate. A ring (25) surrounds the button (24) and has cam profiles (122) that engage with cam pins (120) on the button to push and hold it down when rotated. The other control (30) is on the underside surface (14), facing the patient and adjacent the gas outlet (5). This control includes a toggle lever (31), which can be displaced laterally in two different planes to open the valve (100).

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: A respiratory valve assembly (1), such as in a manual resuscitator, has a carbon dioxide color change indicator element (52) in a disc shape housing (50) arranged to clip onto a grove (59) on the valve assembly. Expiratory and inspiratory gas is supplied to the housing via two flexible tubes (60) and (61) extending side-by-side from the valve assembly (1) to the indicator housing (50) so that the indicator can be undipped from the valve and repositioned if desired.

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 whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters.

Abstract: An end fitting (31) is formed at the patient end of an inner cannula (3) for a tracheostomy tube (1) by punching small holes (33) close to one end (34) of an ePTFE shaft (30). The end is then swaged to form an expanded region (30?) and a preformed tubular insert (40) of a thermoplastic material is inserted to cover the holes (33) on the inside. An outer part (46) of the same thermoplastic material is then overmolded on the outside of the shaft 30 so that its material (47) flows through the holes (33) and bonds with the inner insert (40), thereby securing the inner and outer parts together around the end of the shaft.

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 whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters.

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 cuffed silicone tracheostomy tube has two tapered recesses on its outer surface in which opposite ends of a resilient cuff are bonded using an adhesive or solvent. Two shallow ribs extend around the tube on the inner edge of each recess, projecting outwardly to prevent the adhesive or solvent spreading onto the inflatable portion of the cuff. The cuff has several shallow ribs extending around the cuff and spaced along its inflatable portion to promote even inflation.

Abstract: A tracheostomy dilator is curved along its length having a tapering patient end region (5) at one end and an oppositely curved handle region (7) at its opposite end. A passage (10) extends rearwardly along the dilator from its patient end (4) and opens on a side of the dilator at an opening (12) in the handle region (7). The passage (10) is blocked rearwardly of the opening (12) by an insert (2) with a forward ramp surface (23), which directs a guidewire (30). In use, one end of the guidewire (30) projects from the patient end (4) of the dilator and its opposite end extends along the outside of the handle region (7).

Abstract: A cuffed silicone tracheostomy tube has two tapered recesses (17) and (18) on its outer surface in which opposite ends (7) and (8) of a resilient cuff 6 are bonded using an adhesive or solvent. Two shallow ribs (22) and (23) extend around the tube on the inner edge of each recess (17) and (18), projecting outwardly to prevent the adhesive or solvent spreading onto the inflatable portion (10) of the cuff (6). The cuff (6) has several shallow ribs (9) extending around the cuff and spaced along its inflatable portion (10) to promote even inflation.