Abstract: The pessary 22, which will alleviate the common female problems of stress incontinence and prolapse, includes an annular hollow body 24 and an air tube 26. The hollow body is ring shaped and is made deflatable. While the body 24 is being inserted into the vagina it is evacuated which diminishes its size and thereby reduces the discomfort associated with insertion. Once in place in the vagina, air is given free access to the hollow device 24 whereby elasticity of the device causes it to expand to its normal shape. When the device 24 is to be removed from the vagina the tube 26, which is preferable coiled and stowed at the center of the ring shaped device 24, is extracted and connected to the hollow needle of a syringe. When the syringe sucks out air, the hollow body 24 diminished in size, which reduces the discomfort associated with its removal.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing broncho-alveolar lavage and method of using the apparatus using relatively low known pressures which may avoid damage, such as overexpansion and rupture of airways and alveoli, when too high a pressure is used. The apparatus includes a closed barrel device for receiving a predetermined quantity of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, apparatus for applying a predetermined pneumatic pressure upon the upper surface of the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, and a catheter, the distal end of which may be properly positioned in the portion of a patient's lung to be lavaged. The pressure applying apparatus includes a closed compartment forming an air chamber, and a fluid containing first bladder mounted within the air chamber, the air chamber being in communication with the closed air space in the barrel device above the lavage fluid. The hydraulic pressure applying device is a second bladder in an open container in fluid connection with the first bladder.

Abstract: A vaginal pessary (10 or 34) used to control urinary incontinence or a prolapse, which pessary has a hollow annular body (12 or 36) and an elongated fluid conveying flexible elongated tube (16) which may be stored between the upper and lower surfaces of the annular body when the pessary has been properly inserted into the vagina. The annular body is provided with a diaphragm (20) attached to the inner surface (12.2 or 36.2) of the body, the diaphragm having a central aperture (22). The tube (16) has a coiled shape by making the tube from an elastic material having a memory, by having the tube carry a spring wire (18) forming into a coiled shape, or both. In the illustrated embodiments, a one way valve (24) is provided in an end portion (16.2) of the tube. The valve may be opened by inserting a hypodermic needle carried by a syringe to either cause the body (16) to assume its normal operational volume or to have its volume reduced for insertion or removal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining if a surfactant will keep a narrow passageway open. The apparatus includes a glass tube having first and second end portions and an intermediate necked-down portion including a relatively narrow center and tapered first and second sections to either side of the relatively narrow center. In accordance with the method, a small quantity of fluid, for example one microliter, is placed within the necked-down portion to form a column of fluid. A pressure transducer is associated with a closed portion of the tube to one side of the column. The column of fluid is then slowly forced through the necked-down portion and the pressure is recorded. By continuing the process even after the column of fluid has passed the necked-down portion, it is possible to determine whether or not the fluid will adhere to the surface of the glass tube or re-form into a column of liquid. If the later happens, it is also possible to determine the surface tension of the fluid.