Abstract: A vacuum assisted drain connector (“VAD connector”) may be used to connect a surgical drain to a portable electronic vacuum device. The VAD connector may have an elongate body with a nipple connector at one end and a twist lock feature at the other end. A through passage may extend between an inlet opening provided in the nipple connector and an outlet opening provided in the twist lock feature. The nipple connector may be connected to the proximal end of a surgical drain, which is to be implanted in a patient's body. The twist lock feature may be connected to a cooperating twist lock feature provided on a native vacuum tube of portable electronic vacuum pump.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted drain connector (“VAD connector”) may be used to connect a surgical drain to a portable electronic vacuum device. The VAD connector may have an elongate body with a nipple connector at one end and a twist lock feature at the other end. A through passage may extend between an inlet opening provided in the nipple connector and an outlet opening provided in the twist lock feature. The nipple connector may be connected to the proximal end of a surgical drain, which is to be implanted in a patient's body. The twist lock feature may be connected to a cooperating twist lock feature provided on a native vacuum tube of portable electronic vacuum pump.

Abstract: An electrically adjustable phase-shifting device is arranged on a substrate comprising at least a first waveguide designed for guiding optical signals and a thermoelectric element arranged adjacent to the first waveguide in order to shift the phase of an optical signal in the first waveguide by means of a thermo-optic effect according to a control voltage applied to the thermoelectric element. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric element is a Peitier element which comprises at least first and second electrically conducting segments which are serially connected, the first and second elements alternating consecutively.