Abstract: A fenestrated tracheostomy tube has two rows of openings extending along the outside of the curve of the tube where they will be located in the trachea. The shaft of the tube is made of a soft material, such as silicone, and is reinforced along the fenestrated region by a frame of a stiffer material. The frame has a longitudinal spine extending between the two rows and has several ribs extending from the spine circumferentially on opposite sides of the openings.

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.

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.

Abstract: A tracheostomy dilator moulded from a plastics material is formed with an S shape having a flexible, tapered patient end region for insertion to the trachea. A handle region at the opposite end has a substantially constant diameter along its length. A passage along the dilator receives a guide member, the tip of the patient end of the dilator making a stepless transition with the surface of the guide member.

Abstract: A vapor generator system (1, 101) for an IMS (4, 104) or other apparatus has a chamber (9, 109) in which vapor is produced. A fan or other flow generator (6, 106) is connected to an inlet (8, 108) of the vapor chamber (9, 109) and its outlet (13, 113) is connected to an adsorbent passage (14, 114), such as formed by a bore through a block (15) of carbon. When the fan (6, 106) is on gas flows through the vapor chamber (9, 109) and the adsorbent passage (14, 114) to the IMS (4, 104) or other outlet, with little vapor being adsorbed in the passage. When the fan (6, 106) is off, any vapor molecules that escape to the adsorbent passage (14, 114) do so at a low rate such that substantially all is adsorbed and no vapor escapes.

Abstract: An adjustable flange for a tracheostomy tube has a locking assembly (25) with two C shape clamp arms (26) and (27) hinged together at one end (28). A lever (50) with a threaded stem (51) extends through the opposite end of one arm (27) and into a threaded aperture (32) in the other arm (26). When the handle (55) of the lever (50) is inclined out of the plane of the locking assembly (25) it can be slid freely along the tracheostomy tube (1) for positioning. The locking assembly (25) is locked in position by rotating the handle (55) down to lie in the plane of the locking assembly. The flange (20) has two wings (22) and (23) connected with a central plate (20) by webs (42) and (43) of reduced width so that the webs flex to allow the wings to be lifted readily.

Abstract: A tracheostomy assembly has an outer tube and an inner cannula, the outer tube having a lip at its patient end to limit insertion of the inner cannula. The lip is formed with a recess or gap on the outside of the curve of the tube. This enables a suction catheter or similar device to be slid along the tube, after removal of the inner cannula, without the risk of catching on the lip.

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? to 10? 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.

Abstract: A microwave circulator having an outer metal housing with a cavity containing at least one magnet and an annular centring arrangement interposed between the outside of the magnet and the cavity. The centring arrangement includes first and second solid metal rings, the two rings having cooperating inclined faces arranged such that when a force is applied to urge the centring arrangement along the cavity, one ring is displaced outwardly into intimate contact with the inside of the cavity.

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? to 10? 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.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for aircraft landing gear has a hook (3) displaceable into and out of engagement with the landing gear capture pin (1). A roller (45) on a latch arm (40) engages a part (36) of the hook (3) to prevent it moving from a position where the pin (1) is retained. A linear solenoid (50) and a motor-driven rotatable cam (63) can both be operated independently to move the roller (45) out of engagement with the hook (3) and thereby allow a spring (35) to rotate the hook and release the capture pin (1).

Abstract: An electrical connector including a first and second assembly that are matable with one another by a sliding push fit to establish electrical interconnection between the two assemblies is disclosed. The first assembly includes a contact pin with a collar extending concentrically around the pin to define a recess therebetween, with the collar supporting on its inner surface a first resilient contact element. The second assembly includes a sleeve open at one end thereof such that the sleeve can be received in the recess of the first assembly, with the sleeve supporting on its inner surface a second resilient contact element. The two assemblies may be arranged such that, when the second assembly is inserted into the first assembly, the first resilient contact element makes sliding electrical contact with an external surface of the sleeve of the second assembly, and the second resilient contact element makes sliding electrical contact with the external surface of the pin of the first assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel-gauging system has multiple gauging sensors in each tank divided into two groups. Each group of sensors connects with a respective processor. The processors are linked to provide a display in the cockpit to give an indication of fuel quantity derived from all the sensors. The two processors also provide separate, nominally-identical display indications of fuel quantity on a refuel panel on the exterior of the aircraft. The refueller can compare these two separate quantity indications with the flow meter in the fuel dispenser to confirm that the correct quantity has been dispensed.

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: 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 overmoulded 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: Packaging for an ICSI pipette (50) has a base (10) and a slider (20) on which the pipette is retained by clips (29) and (36). The base (10) has a transparent rod (16) projecting above the thin end (52) of the pipette (50), acting as a lens to enable the tip of the pipette to be viewed. A grip portion (26) on the slider (20) projects above the pipette (50) and the rod (16) to enable the slider to be moved relative to the base such that the thick end (52) of the pipette projects beyond the end of the base for access and removal.

Abstract: A drive assembly for providing two outputs from a motor to actuators or the like has a first drive shaft connected with the motor via a torque limiter and a reduction gear. A high efficiency spur gear also connects the motor with a second, parallel drive shaft via a second torque limiter and a reduction gear. The two drive shafts are also interconnected by a low efficiency gear provided by worm pinions on the shafts and a worm gear wheel engaging both pinions, which only transfers load between the drive outputs if there is uneven torsional loading in excess of the settings of the torque limiters.

Abstract: A closed system suction catheter has a catheter enclosed within a flexible envelope secured between a patient end fitting and a machine end fitting. The patient end fitting has a cleaning chamber with a valve at its patient side and is normally closed so that the cleaning chamber is isolated from the patient. The valve has an outer rigid housing enclosing a one-piece elastomeric moulding of tubular shape. The elastomeric moulding has two pads projecting externally through openings in the outer housing. The elastomeric moulding also has a web extending internally across its diameter with a diametrically-extending slit aligned with the pads. A collar mounted on the housing is slidable along the housing to engage the pads so as to apply pressure across the web and open the slit, thereby allowing the catheter to be advanced to the patient.

Abstract: A tracheostomy assembly has an outer tube and an inner cannula, the outer tube having a lip at its patient end to limit insertion of the inner cannula. The lip is formed with a recess or gap on the outside of the curve of the tube. This enables a suction catheter or similar device to be slid along the tube, after removal of the inner cannula, without the risk of catching on the lip.

Abstract: A respiratory valve assembly (1), such as in a manual resuscitator, has a carbon dioxide colour 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.