Abstract: A downhole motor may include a power section, a connecting rod assembly, and a drive shaft. The power section may include a stator and a rotor with the rotor configured to rotate eccentrically when a drilling fluid is passed through the stator. The connecting rod assembly operatively connects the rotor of the power section and the drive shaft of the bearing section. The connecting rod assembly may include a housing and a connecting rod. The housing may have a proximal end and a distal end with the proximal end connected to the stator. The connecting rod may include a proximal end including a rigid connection operatively connected to the rotor, a mid flexible rod, and a distal end terminating at or proximate an articulating joint. The drive shaft may be operatively connected to the articulating joint.

Abstract: Ballistic body armor is provided having a ballistic body armor panel disposed in a flexible carrier vest. The panel has a pair of opposing outer walls sealed to each other and defining therebetween a gas-impermeable and water-impermeable interior in which is disposed a plurality of layers of woven or non- woven ballistic material. To reduce degradation of the ballistic material, ambient air is removed from the interior of the panel and is replaced with an inert gas. A sensor is disposed in the panel configured to detect a marker indicative of a risk of ballistic panel degradation. The sensor may provide a visual and/or electronic indication (such as a microchip sensor indication). In particular embodiments the marker indicates a level of oxygen above a certain threshold level. The outer walls of the panel may be opaque to reduce penetration of ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A material transport assembly for a printer assembly can include a toothed component; a drive for rotation of the toothed component; a material guide; and a biasing component that biases the material guide in a direction toward the toothed component.

Abstract: A tracheal tube cuff inflator/indicator has a coloured pressure flag (211) slidable against the action of a spring (212) along the inside of a transparent housing (210) by change of pressure. The flag has three coloured regions along its length. A sleeve (310) with a transparent central window (311) is slidable frictionally along the outside of the housing so that the window can be aligned with a central green region (211G) when correct pressure is achieved in the cuff (10). Any change in pressure of the cuff (10) moves the flag (211) so that the green portion (211G) moves away from the window (311) in the outer sleeve, thereby indicating to the user that the cuff pressure has changed. The inflator/indicator also has an elastomeric balloon (220) acting as a pressure reservoir that can be manually compressed if it is necessary to increase pressure in the cuff.

Abstract: The inner cannula (3) of a tracheostomy tube includes a shaft (30) extruded of an ePTFE material. The axial strength of the shaft is increased by heating elongate portions (34 and 35) along the shaft such as by contact with a heated roller (205). The heating is sufficient to alter the structure of the material and make the heated portions (34 and 35) more rigid than the remainder of the shaft.

Abstract: An inner cannula (200) for a tracheostomy tube (100) has an extruded shaft (20) with a smooth bore. A helical reinforcement element (23) is moulded onto the outside of the shaft the axial strength of which is increased by multiple groups of short bridging elements (24) extending between two adjacent turns of the reinforcement element. The bridging elements (24) are spaced around and along the shaft (20).

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter or other medical device has a shaft extruded with two layers. The outer layer is relatively thick and contains gas bubbles sufficient to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound observation but with a density that allows material within the catheter to be viewed by the eye. The inner layer is relatively thin and is free of bubbles so that it provides a smooth bore to the catheter.

Abstract: An inner cannula (2) for a tracheostomy tube (1) has a resilient catch (23) at its machine end. The catch has a two angular teeth (27) and (28) projecting outwardly towards its free end. One tooth (27) is shaped and positioned to engage in a groove (40) on the inside of a hub (16) at the machine end of the tube when the inner cannula is fully inserted. The other tooth (28) is smaller and is spaced rearwardly along the catch. The hub (16) also has a shallow rounded bead (44) projecting inwardly and spaced a short distance to the rear of the groove (40). When the inner cannula (2) is pulled out of the tube (1) the smaller tooth (28) engages the bead (44) on the hub (16) causing the catch (23) to deflect inwardly. In this way, the larger tooth (27) is displaced slightly out of the groove (40) making it easier for it to ramp out of the groove and allow the cannula to be withdrawn with little additional pulling force.

Abstract: An embryo transfer syringe has a roller coupled with the rear end of its plunger. The roller is displaceable along an elongate housing extending from the rear of the barrel of the syringe. The roller can be manually engaged through a slot along the housing to rotate it and roll it along the housing thereby smoothly and controllably displacing the plunger.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (2) removably inserted in the outer tube. The connector (15) on the machine end of the outer tube is rotatable through about a quarter turn and has a screw thread (30) on its inner surface. The hub (33) on the machine end of the inner cannula (2) is also formed with a screw thread (35) arranged to engage with the screw thread (30) in the connector. The inner cannula (2) is pulled into the outer tube (1), or is pushed outwardly of the tube, by rotating the connector.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly comprises an outer tracheostomy tube (1) and an inner cannula (20) fitted in the tube. The machine end of the inner cannula has a collapsible region (22) formed by a plurality of curved or bent struts (26) extending parallel with one another between a machine end collar (28) and a patient end collar (27). The struts (26) carry outwardly-projecting catches (23) arranged to engage a rib (24) extending around the inside of a hub (16) at the machine end of the tube and thereby resist removal of the cannula from the tube. The inner cannula (20) is removed by twisting the machine end collar (28) so that the struts (26) collapse inwardly and thereby disengage the catches (23) from the rib (24).

Abstract: An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5? to 10? are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen.

Abstract: An embryo transfer syringe has a roller (30) coupled with the rear end of its plunger (15). The roller (30) is displaceable along an elongate housing (20) extending from the rear of the barrel (10) of the syringe. The roller (30) can be manually engaged through a slot (23) along the housing (20) to rotate it and roll it along the housing thereby smoothly and controllably displacing the plunger (15).

Abstract: A speaking valve assembly (2, 200) for fitting to the machine end (13) of a tracheostomy tube (1) has a one-way valve (23, 236) that allows inhalation but prevents exhalation. The assembly further includes a pressure relief arrangement that remains closed during normal respiration and vocalisation but opens when pressure in the assembly rises above a normal level. In one arrangement the pressure relief arrangement takes the form of a ball valve (30) with a ball (32) that is lifted away from an opening (31) by excess pressure but falls back to block the opening when pressure reduces. An alternative pressure arrangement has a slidable collar (226) that normally covers vent apertures (223) in a housing (220) of the assembly. When pressure in the assembly rises above a normal level the collar (226) is pushed out to expose the vent apertures (223) and allow air to escape.

Abstract: An introducer for a tracheostomy tube is formed of several articulated sections (24) that can be changed from a relatively flexible state to a more rigid state by tightening a tension member extending along the introducer using an actuator at its machine end. In its flexible state the introducer can be inserted into and removed from the tube. The introducer is put in its more rigid state for use in inserting the tube into a tracheostomy. Alternatively or additionally the introducer could have several gripping rings on its outside towards its patient end and two elongate members that can be slid relative to one another to enlarge the patient end so that the gripping rings engage and grip the inside of the tube, thereby enabling the introducer to pull the tube through the tracheostomy from its patient end.

Abstract: An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5? to 10? are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen.

Abstract: A tracheal tube has a high-volume/low-pressure sealing cuff (10, 201, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810) with an outer surface provided with surface formations (211, 311, 511, 611, 711, 811) adapted to reduce the flow of secretions past the cuff. The formations could be in the form of an array of dimples (211) or a pattern of linear ridges or channels (611 or 711). Alternatively, the surface formations, could be a pattern of intersecting linear projections (311, 312, 313) or grooves (511). Instead the surface formations could be provided by a rough texture (811) on the outer wall surface.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has an inflatable sealing cuff (11) towards its patient end (6) and a fluid-permeable cuff (31) mounted on the shaft (1) above the inflatable cuff. The fluid-permeable cuff (31) contains hydrogel granules (32) that absorb moisture in the trachea (T) and help reduces the amount of secretions leaking past the sealing cuff (11). When the tube is to be withdrawn from the trachea (T) the lower, inflatable cuff (11) is deflated allowing the upper, fluid-permeable cuff (31) to be flattened against the outside of the lower cuff.

Abstract: A transfer device includes an elongate tube defining a lumen configured to support an organism and an obstruction positioned along the elongate tube. The obstruction is configured to prevent the organism from moving proximally past the obstruction, such that the obstruction defines a distal end region of the elongate tube in which the organism can move along the lumen of the elongate tube.

Abstract: An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80.