Abstract: A tool for running a casing string assembly into a wellbore includes a degradable plug assembly that temporarily isolates light fluid trapped in a lower portion of the casing string from heavier fluid in the upper portion of the casing string, thereby reducing the horizontal weight of the casing string by an amount sufficient to overcome a drag force. After the casing string is landed at a final location in the wellbore, fluid is introduced to the degradable plug assembly to degrade the plug and clear the axial passageway of the casing string so that tools or other equipment can pass therethrough.

Abstract: A tool for running a casing string assembly into a wellbore includes a degradable plug assembly that temporarily isolates light fluid trapped in a lower portion of the casing string from heavier fluid in the upper portion of the casing string, thereby reducing the horizontal weight of the casing string by an amount sufficient to overcome a drag force. After the casing string is landed at a final location in the wellbore, fluid is introduced to the degradable plug assembly to degrade the plug and clear the axial passageway of the casing string so that tools or other equipment can pass therethrough.

Abstract: An introducer for an endotracheal tube (50) has a bendable rod (10) with a video camera (15) and light source (16) mounted at its patient end (12) and connected by a cable (17) to an electrical connector (2) fixed at the machine end of the rod. The connector (2) has a narrow profile to allow the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid over it. In use, the camera (15) is connected to a video display (4) via a cable (5) and a mating connector (6), the rod (10) is bent to the desired shape and inserted into the trachea. The mating connector (6) is then disconnected to enable the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid to the correct position in the trachea along the rod (10) and over the connector (2) mounted at the machine end of the rod. The rod (10) is then removed to leave the tube (50) in position.

Abstract: A cuffed tracheostomy tube has a sealing cuff 10, 10?, 100, 100? attached to a shaft 1, 1, 1? of the tube towards its patient end by a rear end collar 30, 55, 103 bonded with the outside of the shaft. In one embodiment the patient end collar 31, 31? is folded unattached around the patient end face 60, 60? of the shaft and is attached to the inside of the tube. When inflated, the cuff inflates slightly away from the patient end face to cushion the tip of the tube. In another embodiment the cuff 100 is formed integrally with the shaft 51. In a further embodiment the cuff 100? has an integral portion 102 of a soft material that forms a patient end extension of the shaft 1?.

Abstract: An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube is made by extruding tubing (41) and cutting into separate lengths or preforms (42). Each preform (42) is placed in a mould (50, 51, 52) and blow moulded to expand the preform into contact with an inner surface (53, 54) of the mould which is shaped to produce a pattern on the outside of the preform of two intersecting diagonal corrugations (211, 212) that act to strengthen the blow moulded preform against lateral forces. The inner surface of the mould may also be textured so that the blow moulded preform is given a texture (213) to reduce friction with the outer tube (1).

Abstract: A liner flotation system comprises a liner, a first valve, and a second valve configured to form a gas filled chamber within the liner. The first valve is operable to allow fluid flow into the chamber, and the second valve operable to allow fluid flow out of the chamber. A sleeve is disposed in the chamber, and the first valve is movable into engagement with the sleeve to provide an indication of a position of the first valve. A method of securing a liner in a well comprises lowering a liner having a gas filled chamber in the well, actuating a valve to open fluid flow into the chamber, removing the gas from the chamber, and moving the valve into engagement with a sleeve coupled to the liner to provide an indication of a position of the valve.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tracheal tube (1) and a removable inner cannula (20). The inner cannula (20) has a corrugated outer surface (23) but a smooth inner surface (22). At its patient end the inner cannula (20) has an integral tip (26) with a smooth outer surface that forms a close sliding fit with the inside of the outer tube (1). At its rear, machine end the inner cannula has an integral hub (30) that fits in a hub (18) on the outer tube. The smooth inner surface (22) of the inner cannula (20) allows non-turbulent gas flow along the assembly and facilitates insertion of devices along the cannula.

Abstract: A liner flotation system comprises a liner, a first valve, and a second valve configured to form a gas filled chamber within the liner. The first valve is operable to allow fluid flow into the chamber, and the second valve operable to allow fluid flow out of the chamber. A sleeve is disposed in the chamber, and the first valve is movable into engagement with the sleeve to provide an indication of a position of the first valve. A method of securing a liner in a well comprises lowering a liner having a gas filled chamber in the well, actuating a valve to open fluid flow into the chamber, removing the gas from the chamber, and moving the valve into engagement with a sleeve coupled to the liner to provide an indication of a position of the valve.

Abstract: An introducer for an endotracheal tube (50) has a bendable rod (10) with a video camera (15) and light source (16) mounted at its patient end (12) and connected by a cable (17) to an electrical connector (2) fixed at the machine end of the rod. The connector (2) has a narrow profile to allow the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid over it. In use, the camera (15) is connected to a video display (4) via a cable (5) and a mating connector (6), the rod (10) is bent to the desired shape and inserted into the trachea. The mating connector (6) is then disconnected to enable the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid to the correct position in the trachea along the rod (10) and over the connector (2) mounted at the machine end of the rod. The rod (10) is then removed to leave the tube (50) in position.

Abstract: A plurality of peer network devices are configured to load-balance data transmitted between them on a point-by-point basis. Each peer device has a team of network resources coupling it to a local area network. A peer device transmitting data to one of the other peer devices load-balances the data over the team of resources of the receiving one of the peer devices. Each peer device multicasts to the other peer devices a data frame from that includes peer data defining attributes of the team of the multicasting peer device. The multicast data frame is updated with new peer data whenever one or more of the attributes of the team of the multicasting peer device are changed.

Abstract: The invention concerns benzodiazepine derivatives of Formula I: wherein W, X, L1, L2, L3, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined in the description. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment or prophylaxis of hepatitis C virus infection.

Abstract: A system comprising a computer including a plurality of network interface controllers (NICs), the plurality of NICs associated with an address. The system further comprises a switching apparatus coupled to the computer and an echo device coupled to the switching apparatus. The echo device is adapted to send a packet to the switching apparatus to verify connectivity with the plurality of NICs. The packet comprises the address. The switching apparatus compares the address with a data structure to locate a matching address. If no matching address is located, the switching apparatus sends copies of the packet to each of the plurality of NICs coupled to the switching apparatus.

Abstract: A method for monitoring network connectivity. The method may include the act of transmitting a respective request packet from a network interface card (NIC) of a plurality of NICs in a NIC team to an external network device. The method may also include the act of receiving a respective response packet from the external network device at each respective NIC from which a respective request packet was received by the external network device.

Abstract: A one and two-way disc mailer for mailing DVDs, CDs, video game discs, or other discs from a sender to a recipient via first class mail. The disc mailer provides improved protection to the disc during mail processing while weighing less than or equal to 1 ounce, including the weight of the disc, for first-class compatibility.

Abstract: A percutaneous tracheostomy assembly has a hollow needle carrying a cannula with a hub at its rear end abutting a hub on the needle. A channel-shape stop is clipped onto the cannula and needle so that its rear end abuts the hub of the cannula. The stop has a laterally-extending flange at its forward end. The length of the stop is such that the tip of the needle and the forward end of the cannula are positioned within the trachea when the flange abuts the skin of the neck, without the risk of the needle contacting the posterior wall of the trachea.

Abstract: A percutaneous tracheostomy assembly has a hollow needle carrying a cannula with a hub at its rear end abutting a hub on the needle. A channel-shape stop is clipped onto the cannula and needle so that its rear end abuts the hub of the cannula. The stop has a laterally-extending flange at its forward end. The length of the stop is such that the tip of the needle and the forward end of the cannula are positioned within the trachea when the flange abuts the skin of the neck, without the risk of the needle contacting the posterior wall of the trachea.

Abstract: A percutaneous tracheostomy assembly comprises a dilator mounted on a needle. The needle has a hollow metal shaft with a pointed tip at one end and a hub at its opposite end. The dilator is of plastics with a narrow, flexible patient end portion, a tapering intermediate portion and a substantially rigid, wider rear portion. The tip of the needle projects from the patient end of the dilator when the needle hub abuts the rear end of the dilator so that the patient end of the assembly can be pushed into the trachea. The length of the patient end portion of the dilator is such that the tip of the needle is spaced from the posterior wall of the trachea when the tapered portion of the dilator abuts the surface of the skin. After insertion, the needle is replaced with a guidewire so that the dilator can be pushed in further to expand the opening.

Abstract: A wc-disposable ostomy bag is made from an alkali-disposable sheet comprising an outer layer of a non-woven material, an inner, thin layer of an alkali-resistant material and an intermediate layer of an alkali-soluble material such as carboxylated acrylic polymer. The alkali-resistant material has a high odor barrier and may be of polyvinylidene chloride. The non-woven material comprises fibers retained with one another by a colored alkali-soluble binder sprayed onto the fibers to form discontinuous regions of binder.

Abstract: A tracheal assembly comprises an endotracheal tube and a tracheal shield. The tracheal shield has a stiff rod extending along the endotracheal tube, and a stop at the machine end of the shield which limits the extent of insertion of the shield into the tube. At its patient end, the shield has a plate or similar shield member that expands when the shield member is inserted beyond the patient end of the tube, to protect the posterior wall of the trachea during a tracheostomy procedure. The shield member can be rolled up or otherwise contracted for insertion and removal along the tube.

Abstract: An epidural filter has a planar housing with a flat lower surface taped to the patient's skin. An outlet at one end of the housing is connected to the epidural catheter and opens onto the lower surface of the filter element. The inlet at the other end of the housing is shaped to receive the nose of a syringe and opens onto the upper surface of the filter element. The inlet is either fixed at an angle of about 30.degree. to the lower surface of the housing, or can be displaced upwardly to such an angle by means of a resilient portion, to facilitate connection to the inlet.