Abstract: There is provided a medicament cartridge for use in an inhalation device comprising a carrier having a plurality of medicament retainers in a concentric circular path arrangement. Typically, the carrier is substantially planar. There is also provided an inhalation device comprising a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, an airway therebetween and a medicament carrier having a plurality of medicament retainers in a concentric circular path arrangement. A mover is provided for moving the medicament carrier relative to the housing so as to bring successive medicament retainers individually into communication with the airway.

Abstract: A device (8) for improving a user's breathing includes an oral appliance (10) and a venting seal (18) detachably coupled to the oral appliance (10). The venting seal (18) has a perimeter adapted to be placed behind the user's lips such that venting seal (18) is operable to reduce venting of a gas from the user's mouth in response to the gas being supplied to the user's nose.

Abstract: A piezoelectric gas lighter in which gas is ignited by means of a spark generated by a piezoelectric device comprises a nozzle assembly including a nozzle and a nozzle cap and a lighter body. The lighter body includes a gas tank, a gas ejection lever and a piezoelectric device. The nozzle has one or more auxiliary ejection holes on the side thereof as well as a main gas ejection path so that the fuel gas flows through two paths, i.e., the main gas ejection path and the auxiliary ejection hole(s). The nozzle assembly of the present invention has a gap between the nozzle and the nozzle cap, so that a small amount of fuel gas flows through the gap to be easily ignited by a spark.

Abstract: An improved process for heating furnaces using a burner design that produces very low level of undesirable nitrogen oxides is provided. The process recirculates a large volume of furnaces gases back to the burner where it is mixed with fuel gas in a plurality of recirculation ports prior to combusting with air in a primary combustion zone. Dispersion of the fuel gas in the recirculated furnace gases is believed to result in lower peak flame temperatures and therefore minimizing the formation of the pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: The invention is a technique for dynamic measurements of the heat transfer coefficient to the outer layer of the skin surface using a high thermal conductivity metal in an insulating block as the standardized target. The coefficient is dependent on the specific design of the cryogen valve and nozzle, and values up to 11 500 W/m2K values were measured for a 100 ms long spurts. The values for longer spurts are dependent on air humidity, as ice/snow formation then tends to form a thermally insulating layer. The average value of the heat transfer coefficient for a 200 ms long spurt was determined to 8000 W/m2K for conditions of normal room humidity and temperature. The technique enables an improved prediction of the temperature profile and cooling efficiency during therapy, and may thereby contribute to an improved therapeutic outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods for focussing an ultrasound energy beam transmitted from an array of transducer elements located outside the body through a non-uniform tissue medium, such as a skull, to a location (e.g., a tumor) located inside the body by monitoring a signal representing reflected portions of the beam at a desired focal point or zone through a portion of the medium that does not significantly distort the reflected signal. In one embodiment, a focussed ultrasound system includes a plurality of transmitting transducer elements configured to deliver respective energy waves from locations outside the skull to a focal zone within the skull, the energy waves collectively comprising an energy beam. The system further includes an ultrasound detector having a fixed position relative to the transmitting elements, the detector configured to receive a signal comprising a reflected portion of the beam along a line-of-sight axis through a portion of the skull.

Abstract: A removable protective cannula is disclosed for use in surgery to prevent damage to a portal cannula or tissue during insertion of a shaft instrument.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivering an intra-bodily medical device to an internal bodily site. The delivery catheter includes an elongated shaft defining a proximal section and a distal section. A delivery lumen is formed by the shaft, extending from the proximal section and terminating at an opening formed proximal the distal section. Finally, a locator is formed by the distal section, and is configured to locate a target site. In one preferred embodiment, the locator is elongated, having a diameter less than that of a remainder of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the delivery catheter includes a steering device capable of effectuating a bend both proximal and distal the opening for steering the locator to a target site.

Abstract: A new and improved grill assembly for cooking over an open fire at a campsite comprising a stake from which a grill is cantilevered outwardly and suspended over an open fire. The stake is driven into the ground or guide wire supported as desired. The grill is rotatable about the stake and adjustable along the vertical length of the stake and securable at any height above the fire by a frictional engagement with the stake. The frictional engagement comprises a binding ring disposed about the stake that binds to the stake as a result of the center of gravity being radially outward from the stake. The grill also comprises accessory pieces such as a hook for hanging a cooking pot, a secondary grill platform for more grilling space, for warming, or for support for a cutting board, and a rotisserie attachment for slow roasting food. The accessories are each secured to the stake above the grill or below the grill, as desired, by frictional engagement with the stake.

Abstract: A guidewire having a proximal hypotube portion with an insert to increase pushability and torqueability. The insert may comprise metals such as stainless steel, shape memory/super elastic materials such as nickel titanium alloys, composite materials or polymeric materials. The proximal end of the insert may be configured to dock with an extension guidewire. Preferably, the proximal end of the solid core distal portion of the guidewire is configured to fit within the hypotube and the two are secured by adhesive, solder or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of biologically active materials comprises a catheter and balloon having micro-needles or pores. In the apparatus, the balloon can have a polymer oating containing the biologically active material, and the apparatus can include a sheath surrounding the balloon. In one embodiment the biologically active material is delivered through lumens in the micro-needles. Another embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for delivery of biologically active materials comprising a catheter with a balloon disposed thereon and a shockwave generator for producing a shockwave for delivering the biologically active material to a body lumen. Methods for delivery of biologically active materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: An infusion apparatus including an indwelling venous cannula with a catheter holder, a plastic catheter and a steel cannula holder with a steel cannula extending through the plastic catheter and the catheter holder, a tubular valve body made of elastomeric plastic with certain length L being disposed in a channel extending centrally through the housing of the catheter holder, and the walls of the valve body lying on and directly touching each other over certain length L, whereby certain length L, the wall thickness and the Shore hardness of the valve body are coordinated with each other so that an infusion solution can pass the valve under the effect of gravity but a reflux of the patient's blood is reliably prevented. The valve body is preferably a tubular film.

Abstract: A single-path lead for an active implantable medical device of the implantable defibrillator/cardioverter type. The lead includes a lead body (10) carrying first (14) and second (16) atrial electrodes for sensing an atrial cardiac signal, first (18) and second (20) ventricular electrodes for sensing a ventricular cardiac signal, one (18) of these ventricular electrodes also being an electrode for use in the application of defibrillation or cardioversion energy (shock pulses), and a supra-ventricular electrode (12) for use in the application of the aforementioned shock energy for the defibrillation or cardioversion.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a needle nozzle that accepts a needle cam. A needle hub assembly includes a needle hub and a needle cannula, and when registration ribs of the needle hub are fitted between respective registration ribs of the needle cam, the needle is thereby fitted onto the medical instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assessing the applied air pressure during automatic respiration through positive airway pressure. The air pressure applied is varied by the device according to the invention so that at least three different pressure values can be adjusted. The corresponding respiratory gas flow is measured. On the basis of the relation of the measured respiratory gas flows to each other it is determined whether the applied air pressure is below or above an optimal air pressure or whether the applied air pressure is the optimal air pressure. The device according to the invention can be applied for adjusting the optimal air pressure in respirators used in the CPAP therapy. The device according to the invention provides the advantage of enabling an easy and reliable control of the applied air pressure.

Abstract: A drug delivery system for administering preset doses of a substance such as a drug, vaccine or the like is provided. The drug delivery system includes a holder and a pre-filled drug container such as a syringe which is securely retained in the holder. The drug container includes a barrel for containing the substance, a movable stopper situated within the barrel, and a blunt end having an opening through which the substance within the barrel can be expelled. The holder includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, each configured to accommodate the drug container, with the distal portion being able to be assembled to the proximal portion, which acts as a plunger rod during activation of the delivery system.

Abstract: An impeller, a pressure generator using such an impeller, and a pressure support system and method using such a pressure generator to deliver a flow of breathing gas to a patient is disclosed. The impeller enables a pressure of a flow of breathing gas delivered by a pressure support system to a patient to remain substantially constant despite variations of the output flow rate. The impeller includes a plurality of impeller blades disposed on a face of the impeller body with an inlet area between each pair of adjacent blades being substantially equal a corresponding outlet area for each pair of adjacent blades.

Abstract: A moisture sump integrated into a carbon dioxide absorber canister provides a collection reservoir for condensate from a patient ventilator system when the carbon dioxide absorber canister is attached to the ventilator system. The volume of the moisture sump is appropriately sized so that the time interval required to collect a maximum amount of condensate interval is not more than the life expectancy of the carbon dioxide absorbing material contained within the canister. The moisture sump allows condensate management of difficult to drain areas such as the inlet to the expiratory check valve of a ventilator system. The removal of the carbon dioxide absorber canister by a patient attendee to replace the carbon dioxide absorbing material ensures that the condensate collected by the integral moisture sump is eliminated from the patient ventilator system.

Abstract: Device for performing a test supplementary to neurological examination, which determines whether a cervical acceleration injury has occurred, which device comprises a platform connected non-movably to a fixed ground for supporting a person, a visually manipulable environment in which the person is placed, in addition to sensors connected to the platform and/or to the person for measuring postural corrections of the person, and computing means connected to the sensors, wherein means are arranged for comparing the values generated by the sensors with standard values in order to obtain a measure for the visual dependency of the person; and a method of determining a cervical acceleration injury. With the invention measurements can be performed in objective manner with which an objective judgment in respect of the presence of a cervical acceleration injury in the person in question can be obtained.

Abstract: A regenerative post-combustion apparatus (1) in a housing (2) in a known manner comprises from top to bottom a combustion chamber (8), a heat exchanger area (7) subdivided into a plurality of segments filled with heat exchanger material, and a rotating distributor (5). The latter depending on its rotational position establishes a connection, on the one hand, between an inlet (3) for waste gas to be cleaned and at least one first segment of the heat exchanger area (7), as well as between at least one second segment of the heat exchanger area (7) and an outlet (10) for cleaned gas. Disposed above the rotating distributor (5) is a burn-out rotary slide valve (31). The latter is subdivided by dividing walls into segments, of which one is closed in the direction of the rotating distributor (5) and communicates with an outlet (68). The other segments of the burn-out rotary slide valve (31) are open in a downward and an upward direction.