Abstract: A device and system for monitoring a load or applied force includes a body having first and second ends, a plate, a force-providing member connected to the plate, a first biasing member, and a first sensor. In embodiments the first biasing member is disposed between a portion of the body at or about the first end and a portion of the plate, and is configured to substantially retain the plate in an initial position during normal operation of the device; the first sensor is configured to sense a displacement (e.g., displacement position) with respect to the plate; and the body includes a portion configured to connect to or apply a force to another component. A controller may selectively instruct and/or operate a component, such as a motor, in response to an output generated or provided by the sensor. If an excessive force is sensed, the device may mitigate resulting damage.

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 5.0 mu. to 10.0 mu. 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. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters.

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 .mu. to 10 .mu. 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 while still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle having an echogenic feature proximate to its distal sharp tip mounted to an echogenic cannula, with the echogenic tip of the needle extending beyond the distal end of the cannula. The echogenic tip provides guidance for the movement of the needle assembly under ultrasound observation so that the needle assembly may be more readily maneuvered inside a body. Once correctly positioned, the needle is removed and further confirmation may be made under ultrasound observation that the cannula has been correctly positioned inside the body. The echogenic feature of the needle may be at least one spiral groove that is tilted at an angle relative to the tip of the needle to effect a substantially 180° reflection of the ultrasound. An alternative echogenic feature to improve reflected echogeneity has crisscrossing grooves each having a predetermined pitch density formed at a neutral position on the needle.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (20, 120, 220 51, 61) inserted into and removable from the tube. The inner cannula has a constant internal diameter along its length and has at its patient end (22, 122, 222) a seal member (23, 123, 223) extending around the cannula. The seal member may be a separate ring 23 of resilient material attached to the outside of the shaft of the cannula or it may be formed of the material of the shaft (121, 221) itself. Alternatively, the seal member (50, 60) may be of a kind that expands when exposed to an elevated temperature or humidity, and may include a shape memory effect material.

Abstract: An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube is made by extruding tubing (41) and cutting into separate lengths or preforms (42). Each preform (42) is placed in a mould (50, 51, 52) and blow moulded to expand the preform into contact with an inner surface (53, 54) of the mould which is shaped to produce a pattern on the outside of the preform of two intersecting diagonal corrugations (211, 212) that act to strengthen the blow moulded preform against lateral forces. The inner surface of the mould may also be textured so that the blow moulded preform is given a texture (213) to reduce friction with the outer tube (1).

Abstract: A coupling (2) for a tracheostomy tube (1) has first component (21) with a short sleeve (23) at its patient end that it fitted on the patient end of the machine end coupling (17) on the tube so that the machine end of the coupling extends within a part-spherical formation (24) at the opposite end of the first component. The coupling (2) includes a second component (22) with a male tapered fitting (27) at its machine end and a part-spherical formation (28) at its patient end that is a close sliding fit inside the part-spherical formation (24) on the first component (21).

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 flame arrestor including a flame arrestor collar and a flame arrestor plug. The flame arrestor collar includes a flame path that may be defined by one or more modules. The flame arrestor plug may be configured for connection to the flame arrestor collar. Various embodiments of a flame arrestor, including those having venting and/or draining elements or capabilities are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) is made from a first component (20) of a relatively hard plastics material that is overmoul - ded with a second component (29) of a softer plastics material (26). The first component (20) provides a machine end coupling (6) and a helical reinforcement member (23, 23?) extending along the region (3) that will, in use, extend through the tracheal tissue. The second component (29) extends along the reinforcement member (23, 23?) and beyond it to form the patient end (2) of the tube (1).

Abstract: A needle assembly of a metal shaft (10, 10?) and an outer plastics sleeve (12) is made by extruding the sleeve onto the outside of the shaft. The sleeve contains gas bubbles (13), preferably with a size in the range 5 ? to 10 ?, to increase the ultrasound visibility of the assembly. A sharp, penetrating tip (18) may be formed on the shaft either before or after the sleeve is extruded on the shaft. The metal shaft (10) may be supplied to the extruder 1 to 5 in a continuous length and cut to the size of the needle assemblies after extrusion of the sleeve (12). Alternatively, pre-cut lengths of metal shafts (10?) could be supplied to the extruder 1? to 5?, the sleeve being cut between the shafts after extrusion.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic bail posting service is used to create a network of bail-posting agents and companies. The method also allows companies to hire bounty hunters to retrieve clients. A server is used manage a plurality of company accounts, agent accounts, and bounty hunter accounts. Each of these accounts is used by companies, posting agents, and bounty hunters to network with each other. An employer computing device displays a plurality of feature options to be selected. The desired feature that is selected corresponds with a job request that is to be sent to a plurality of desired recipients which are designated by the server. A job request is sent to the desired recipients and a job acceptance confirmation is generated when a work-willing recipient accepts the job request. A job completion receipt is sent to the employer computing device once the job request has been fulfilled.

Abstract: A video introducer (2) is inserted in an endotracheal tube (1) and is retained by engagement of a connector (28) at the rear end of the introducer with a connector (16) inserted in the rear end (13) of the tube. The introducer (2) includes a shaft (21) integral with the connector (28) and having a channel (22) along its length. A cable (34) connected to a video camera (33) at the patient end of the shaft extends along the channel (22) to an electrical connector (35). The forward end (25) of the shaft (21) projects from the forward end (10) of the tube to provide a leading extension for inserting the tube in the trachea.

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: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tracheal tube (1) and a removable inner cannula (20). The inner cannula (20) has a corrugated outer surface (23) but a smooth inner surface (22). At its patient end the inner cannula (20) has an integral tip (26) with a smooth outer surface that forms a close sliding fit with the inside of the outer tube (1). At its rear, machine end the inner cannula has an integral hub (30) that fits in a hub (18) on the outer tube. The smooth inner surface (22) of the inner cannula (20) allows non-turbulent gas flow along the assembly and facilitates insertion of devices along the cannula.

Abstract: A video viewing device 10, such as for use in inserting medical tubes 3, has an outer bendable sleeve 80 and an inner assembly comprising an electrical assembly 20 of a camera 11, cable 13 and connector 14 secured in a channel-shape support member 40. The inner assembly 20, 40 is threaded along the outer sleeve 80 so that the camera 11 is positioned at one end 12 and the connector 14 at its opposite end. The support member 40 is preferably made of two lengths 40A and 40B of different stiffness joined end to end with an angled butt join 42, the length towards the patient end 12 being more flexible so that the rear end of the viewing device 10 is stiffer than its patient end.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has an inner skeletal frame (40) of a relatively stiff plastics material having a longitudinal spine (45) and several annular ribs (42) extending around the frame. A thin, flexible plastics sheath (41) is bonded to the outside of the frame (40). The construction enables a maximum internal diameter with a minimum external diameter.

Abstract: A method for printing a security document on a substrate is disclosed. Firstly, a first reference image of a reference region of the substrate is generated, the image being indicative of an inherent characteristic of the substrate in the reference region. This is followed by generating encoded data indicative of the inherent characteristic of the substrate. Finally, the encoded data is printed over the reference region of the substrate, thus effecting the print of the security document.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing comprehensive pharmaceutical consultations are disclosed, including generating a consultation recording block corresponding to a filling of a prescription order for a patient. The consultation recording block may include multiple consultation entries, where each consultation entry corresponds to a particular pharmaceutical consultation that is desired or required to occur in conjunction with the prescription fill. Input corresponding to various fields of various consultation entries may be received and stored. Different fields of different consultation entries corresponding to a particular patient and to a particular prescription order may be displayed, populated, viewed, resolved and authorized by different pharmaceutical personnel at different work flow stages of the filling, and in some cases, one or more consultation entries may be automatically generated and at least partially automatically populated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining pharmaceutical consultation compliance are disclosed, including generating and storing a plurality of consultation recording blocks corresponding to fillings of prescription orders for patients. The consultation recording blocks may include multiple consultation entries, where each consultation entry corresponds to a particular pharmaceutical consultation that is desired or required to occur in conjunction with a prescription fill for a particular patient. The consultation entries may be populated in conjunction with respective filling of prescription orders and work flow stages therein, or on demand. A request for pharmaceutical consultation compliance may be received, and a response to the request may be determined based on information from at least some portions of the consultation entries, such as a status portion, an authorization portion and/or other portions.