Abstract: A suction arrangement includes a suction source (1) with a single inlet (13) and a connector (5) of caltrop shape with four interconnected ribbed ports 50 to 53, one of which (50) is connected to the suction inlet. The other three ports (51 to 53) are connected with tubing interconnections (15, 23, 33, 46) which each have a valve or the like (25, 35, 48) for blocking flow as necessary. The tubing interconnections connect with respective suction appliances including a suction outlet (41) above the cuff (42) of a tracheal tube (40), a tracheal suction catheter (3) and an oral suctioning catheter (2).

Abstract: A gas-powered resuscitator is operable either in a manual mode or an automatic mode. The resuscitator includes an oscillatory timing valve (14) having an outlet (23) connected to a bi-stable valve (25), the operation of which is piloted by a manual valve (16). The outlet (26) of the bi-stable valve (25) connects to the outlet (2) of the resuscitator via a rotatable control (32) and a patient valve (41). The outlet (26) of the bi-stable valve (25) also connects to the control inlet (34) of the timing valve (14). The manual valve (16) has a button (62) that can be pushed down manually in the manual mode or can be held down in the automatic mode by rotating a locking ring (262). The maximum duration of cycles is limited by operation of the timing valve (14), whether the resuscitator is operated manually or automatically.

Abstract: A manual squeeze bag resuscitator has an outlet (7) connected to a face mask or breathing tube via a length of flexible tubing (40) so that the resuscitator can be operated away from the face of the patient. A tube (10) within the bag (2) limits the extent by which the bag can be compressed in order to produce more repeatable operation. The tube (10) extends between the air inlet (6) and outlet (7) and has openings into the bag. The user may wear a wrist support (30), to limit flexing of the wrist, and the surface of this and the bag (2) may have a hook and loop fastener material to improve grip.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a hose assembly (10, 10?) attached at one end to the base (1, 1?) of the cleaner. The hose assembly is stowed alongside the handle (6, 6?) and is retained by the free end (19) of the assembly engaging a fixture (21) on the handle. The hose assembly (10, 10?) comprises a rigid wand (12, 12?) and a flexible hose (11, 11?) with a natural extended length. The hose can be retracted to a shorter length using the power of the vacuum cleaner by closing a valve (20, 20?) on the wand (12, 12?) to prevent air flow along the hose assembly and produce a reduced pressure. The wand (12, 12?) is stowed by sliding inside or outside the hose (11, 11?) and has a flange (18, 18?) at one end that engages and seals with a flange (15, 15?) at the free end of the hose when the wand is extended.

Abstract: An imaging infrared spectrometer system includes an ATR unit (10) having a sample window (12) above an optical system (19) that directs radiation through the window onto the sample and directs radiation from the sample via corrective optics (40) to an imaging detector (4). The corrective optics is in the form of a wedge-shape prism (40) with a reflective surface (28) and is located near a focus of the optical system (19). The wedge prism (40) is effective to correct the focal plane orientation and anamorphic magnification at the sample.

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 manual squeeze bag resuscitator has a strap assembly extending around its central portion. The length of the strap assembly is adjustable so that it can limit the diameter of the bag and hence limit its effective volume, such as for use with smaller patients.

Abstract: A thermal probe system has a Wollaston thermal sensor connected in one arm of a bridge. The other arms of the bridge are provided by resistors and a voltage is applied from a low-noise source via several op-amps. The output of the bridge is connected with a primary winding of a step-up transformer, the output of which connects with the input of an output amplifier, which, in turn, provides an output to a display.

Abstract: Small diameter plastic catheters or tubes are end formed using a glass mould with a cavity having a smoothly-rounded closed end. The end of the mould contacts a heater so that the closed end of the cavity can be heated. The tube is loaded on a hollow, metal pin so that the pin projects from the end of the tube. This assembly of tube and pin is loaded on a carriage and is gripped by spring arms. A weight and pulley arrangement moves the assembly forwardly into the cavity so that the pin initially contacts the closed end of the cavity. The grip on the assembly is set to allow the tube to slide forwardly along the pin when the pin contacts the closed end of the cavity so that the forward end of the tube comes into contact with the heated, closed end of the cavity. The material of the tube flows around the pin, which keeps the end of the tube open. A blower then blows air onto the outside of the mould to cool it and allow the flowed material to harden slightly.

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: An arrangement for automatic suctioning above the cuff of a tracheal tube has a suction lumen extending along the tube and opening at one end at an opening on the outside of the tube just above the cuff. A suction line connects with the other end of the lumen and extends to a source of suction. A timer is connected in the line, between the tube and the suction source. The timer may be clockwork and is arranged to prevent suctioning flow along the suction line except for short periods, so that secretions that collect above the cuff are suctioned periodically without the need for intervention by a nurse or clinician.

Abstract: An HME for a tracheostomy tube has a flexible outer housing of a gas-permeable material containing an HME element of discrete particles, granules or the like of a hygroscopic material. The particles are contained between the outer housing and an inner wall of a foam. The inner wall has a ciliated surface facing the end of the tube, which acts to distribute gas over the surface of the HME element. The HME is attached to a flange on an inner cannula by means of a removable adhesive. The HME may include a suction port through a self-closing aperture, which makes a wiping seal with a suction catheter inserted in the tube.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask has an inflatable annular sealing cuff extending around a mount at the patient end of a tube. The mask also has an annular collar on the cuff extending around its opening. The collar is triangular in section with an inflated height of about 10 mm and is soft and floppy when not inflated. The cuff and collar are separately inflatable via separate inflation lines.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter or the like has electrical resistance heating elements extending along its shaft and connected to a battery in the catheter hub or to a separate power source via a cable. Alternatively, the shaft may be extruded with two channels in its wall connected with inlet and outlet connectors on the hub. Pipes connected with the connectors supply warmed fluid from a heat exchanger to one channel and return fluid to the exchanger from the other channel.

Abstract: A tracheostomy device has a short tube terminating adjacent the internal end of an opening into the trachea. A flange secures the external end of the tube and a retainer secures the internal end of the tube against the surface of the trachea. The device also includes a seal, which engages the surface of the trachea above the opening, and a suction passage extending externally by which secretions can be removed.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in tracheostomy procedures has a main body region and a transparent region arranged to extend over the head of the patient. An incise aperture is formed in the body region close to the transparent head region. An adhesive border around the patient side of the aperture enables the drape to be secured to the skin around the tracheostomy. A perforated tear line extends laterally from the aperture to the edge of the drape to enable the drape to be torn easily so that it can be removed from around any tubing projecting through the aperture.

Abstract: An electrical connector for high current applications has a mating plug and socket assembly. The socket assembly has two sockets arranged coaxially of one another and electrically interconnected. The central socket receives and contacts a pin on the plug assembly; the other socket contacts the external surface of a tubular sleeve surrounding and integrally electrically connected with the pin. The socket assembly also has a third socket electrically insulated from and arranged coaxially outwardly of the other two sockets. The third socket makes electrical contact with the outer surface of a tubular contact extending coaxially of the pin and electrically insulated from it. The sockets each have a hyperboloid configuration of multiple resilient wires to make contact with the pin, sleeve and outer contact.

Abstract: An instrument for providing ventilation access to the trachea has a hollow needle with a sharp tip, a tube extending within the needle and a spring urging the tube to project a short distance from the patient end of the needle. The rear end of the tube carries two colored flags one of which is visible at a time in a transparent window towards the machine end of the needle. When the patient end of the instrument is pushed through neck tissue overlying the trachea the inner tube is pushed rearwardly so that a flag of one color is visible. When the patient end of the instrument enters the trachea the spring can push the inner tube forwardly so that the other flag is visible. In one embodiment the instrument carries a dilator and tracheostomy tube that can be slid off the needle after penetration. In another embodiment, ventilation equipment is connected to the rear of the inner tube and the patient is ventilated through the instrument itself.

Abstract: An embryo-transfer catheter has an extruded shaft with a gas-filled lumen that extends helically along the catheter to provide an ultrasound marker. The catheter has a side opening close to a closed rounded patient end. The catheter could be completely transparent to x-rays or the plastics from which it is formed could incorporate an x-ray opaque filler, such as barium sulphate.