Abstract: A balloon type catheter or endotracheal tube is provided that can be inflated with a high pressure along part of its length so that it may be stiffened for easy insertion into the body. When in place in the body the air pressure can be released making the tube much more flexible but resistant to kinking due to a spiral wound plastic tube in the wall.

Abstract: A device consisting of an adjustable volume bellows made of inexpensive materials to be used as a visual indicator and volume measurement to encourage a patient to breath deeply as an exercise is provided. Means for adding calibrated weight to vary resistance is also provided.

Abstract: The automatic check valve is proposed to be used with male luer fittings which are the standard on many medical applications. The valve body is a piece of resilient tubing into which a stopper having an oval sealing ring is placed. Inserting the round male luer fitting causes the tube to be made round releasing the seal of the stopper at two points on the minor axis of the oval shape.

Abstract: A pressure indicating device for use with medical cannulae having balloon type sealing cuffs such as tracheal tubes. The device would be added to a normal pilot balloon to indicate having exceeded a preset pressure by having a long tubular structure that could be folded inside itself telescopically at low pressure and would pop-out at the preset pressure. When elongated or popped-out, a visual indicator would be exposed until the overpressure was corrected and the tube again tucked into itself.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder made in one simple piece that slips over the tube from one side and locks in place by a snap action. The use of plastic material provides a hinge for opening and closing the holder with the resiliency of the plastic providing a snap action for locking and unlocking the device. The lock is a positive one resulting from the abutting of two flat members and guards against further closure as well as opening. The portion in the patient's mouth is reinforced to provide a bite block. A flange against the lips and face allow fastening to the patient with tape, straps or adhesive means. Openings are provided to allow access for probes or catheters alongside the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A simple device intended to register the number of cycles performed by a patient using a lung exerciser. A means for easily resetting to zero is provided. The device is adaptive to various sizes, scales, and maximum number of cycles.

Abstract: A volume type lung exerciser consisting of a light bellows made of a stack of flat sheets of plastic film welded together and having an inner support skeleton of semi-rigid sheets. The bellows is hung from a collapsible leg stand which slides into a movable platform to limit the bellows extension. The platform is in the form of a shallow box which can accept the folded assembly for storage.

Abstract: A flexible plastic bag is suspended from the lid of a rigid cylindrical vessel. In the side wall of the bag, near its top, is an aperture covered by a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane. Suction is applied to space between the vessel and the bag so as to draw liquid into the bag. The membrane shuts off fluid flow therethrough when the liquid drawn into the bag covers the membrane. The lower portion of the vessel closely surrounds and supports the lower portion of the bag, whereas the upper portion of the vessel side wall is enlarged so as to provide clearance outwardly of the membrane.