Abstract: A cervical inspection device (610) for performing a cervical smear test is provided. The device (610) has a tubular body (612) having a first end (614) which is engagable by an operator and a second end (616) which is insertable into a patient's vaginal canal, the tubular body (612) having a central bore (620) which extends along its longitudinal axis for receiving a cervical sampling brush (622) therethrough. There is also an expansion element (630) at or adjacent to the second end (616) of the tubular body (612) and control means operable from the first end (614) of the tubular body (612) for selectably expanding and/or contracting the expansion element (630). The expansion element (630) forms a protective region beyond the central bore (620) in an expanded condition thereof for the said cervical sampling brush (622) to move through during a cervical smear test.

Abstract: There is provided a sealing apparatus for forming void-fill packaging which includes a longitudinal guide path along which an edge of a part-sealed plastics film material can pass, a drive means for moving the film material along the guide path, and an air blowing or injecting means for inflating the film material. There is also provided a heating element and a rigid thermally conductive member which is thermally coupled to the heating element, the thermally conductive member having an film-contacting surface for applying thermal energy to seal the film material on the longitudinal guide path.