Abstract: A body protective garment is adapted for covering a hip region of a wearer to protect the wearer against femoral fracture resulting from a sudden impact. The body protective garment includes an elastic girdle having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. A plurality of pad-receiving pockets are attached to the girdle and adapted for overlying the hip region on opposing anterior sides and a rear thereof. A plurality of removable body protective pads are carried in the pockets. Each of the pads includes a multi-layer foam composite capable of reducing a 5800 N impact force to less than 1200 N.

Abstract: An inflation control system for an endotracheal tube cuff is disclosed. The control includes a housing defining a passage connected at one end to a respirator and at the other end to an endotracheal tube. The housing also defines a diaphragm chamber divided into two portions by a flexible diaphragm. One chamber portion is connected to the passage and the other to an inflatable cuff on the endotracheal tube. During the inspiration cycle, in which the respriator supplies air to the patient's lungs, the diaphragm is displaced and inflates the endotracheal tube cuff into sealing engagement with the trachea. On expiration cycles, in which air is exhausted from the lungs, the diaphragm returns to its normal position, causing at least partial deflation of the inflatable cuff. This allows at least a portion of the air being exhausted from the lungs to pass around the endotracheal tube, allowing a tracheotomy patient to speak. The intermittent deflation of the cuff also reduces irritation of the tissue of the trachea.