Abstract: A locking mechanism for a steerable catheter, the catheter comprising a resilient body member having a restoring force that tends to maintain the body member at a predetermined orientation, and a manipulation handle including a control element and a second element movable in relation to one another and adapted for controlling the orientation of the body member. The locking mechanism maintains the selected deflection of the body member against the restoring force but permits a physician to overcome the locking force by moving the control element. The locking mechanism does not interfere with the other control movement of the handle. The locking device has a biasing member and a contact member mounted between the control element and the second element. The biasing member urges the contact member into frictional contact with one of the elements for holding the control element at the selected longitudinal position.

Abstract: A passive humidifier for use with positive airway pressure devices including a chamber having an inlet and an outlet for holding a supply of water. Pressurized air is forced over a series of baffles arrayed within parallel channels inside the chamber for creating localized turbulence at the free water surface to maximize humidification efficiency. An accumulation chamber in communication with the outlet reduces the likelihood of water droplets escaping from the outlet.