Abstract: A tracheal tube (40) or laryngeal mask has a sealing cuff (41, 2) with a surface covered by a brush-like material (44, 24) provided by closely-packed fibers (25) between 1 mm and 5 mm in length. The brush-like surface (44, 24) may be provided by coating the surface with an adhesive and using an electrostatic charge to draw fibers (25) to adhere to the adhesive.

Abstract: A tracheal tube (40) or laryngeal mask has a sealing cuff (41, 2) with a surface covered by a brush-like material (44, 24) provided by closely-packed (25) between 1 mm and 5 mm in length. The brush-like surface (44, 24) may be provided by coating the surface with an adhesive and using an electrostatic charge to draw (25) to adhere to the adhesive.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask has an inflatable annular sealing cuff extending around a mount at the patient end of a tube. The mask also has an annular collar on the cuff extending around its opening. The collar is triangular in section with an inflated height of about 10 mm and is soft and floppy when not inflated. The cuff and collar are separately inflatable via separate inflation lines.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter or the like has electrical resistance heating elements extending along its shaft and connected to a battery in the catheter hub or to a separate power source via a cable. Alternatively, the shaft may be extruded with two channels in its wall connected with inlet and outlet connectors on the hub. Pipes connected with the connectors supply warmed fluid from a heat exchanger to one channel and return fluid to the exchanger from the other channel.

Abstract: A ventilation device has a flexible adhesive sheet that can be sealed around the patient's nose and mouth. A fitting extending through the sheet in the region of the mouth enables the patient to be ventilated by means of a vent tube inserted through the fitting.

Abstract: Oocyte extraction apparatus or embryo replacement apparatus has a flexible tube along which the oocyte or embryo passes. The tube extends along an outer jacket which maintains the temperature within the tube. The jacket may be thermally insulating or it may be heated such as with warmed liquid.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has a sealing cuff inflated by an inflation tube extending in a channel along one side of the tracheostomy tube. A suction tube extends in a channel along the opposite side of the tracheostomy tube. The suction tube extends to the upper end of the sealing cuff and opens into a recess on the outside of the tracheostomy tube through a side opening oriented at right angles to the radius of the tracheostomy tube. The recess extends around about 90° of the tube towards its outer curve so that secretions collecting in this region can be removed.

Abstract: Oocyte extraction apparatus or embryo replacement apparatus has a flexible tube along which the oocyte or embryo passes. The tube extends along an outer jacket which maintains the temperature within the tube. The jacket may be thermally insulating or it may be heated such as with warmed liquid.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter or the like has electrical resistance heating elements extending along its shaft and connected to a battery in the catheter hub or to a separate power source via a cable. Alternatively, the shaft may be extruded with two channels in its wall connected with inlet and outlet connectors on the hub. Pipes connected with the connectors supply warmed fluid from a heat exchanger to one channel and return fluid to the exchanger from the other channel.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has a sealing cuff inflated by an inflation tube extending in a channel along one side of the tracheostomy tube. A suction tube extends in a channel along the opposite side of the tracheostomy tube. The suction tube extends to the upper end of the sealing cuff and opens into a recess on the outside of the tracheostomy tube through a side opening oriented at right angles to the radius of the tracheostomy tube. The recess extends around about 90° of the tube towards its outer curve so that secretions collecting in this region can be removed.

Abstract: A ventilation device has a flexible adhesive sheet that can be sealed around the patient's nose and mouth. A fitting extending through the sheet in the region of the mouth enables the patient to be ventilated by means of a vent tube inserted through the fitting.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube obturator has a patient end nose protruding from the patient end of the tube. A passage for a guide wire extends through the nose of the obturator at an angle to its axis. The aperture through which the passage opens at the patient end of the obturator lies on a plane extending at right angles to the passage and inclined away from the normal to the axis of the nose by about 8°.