Abstract: An electro-stimulation device for the treatment of anterior and posterior pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is reversibly compressible and is fully self-contained. The device requires no external power sources or control and may be inserted into the vagina or anus through the use of an applicator. In the compressed state the device may be of tampon proportions and after use may easily be removed. The device utilizes a compressible electrode component.

Abstract: A delivery tube assembly for delivering a breathing gas to a patient, the delivery tube includes a first lumen having an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The lumen is configured to deliver the breathing gas from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A second lumen is configured to flow an insulating gas around the first lumen. A method of insulating a breathing gas with an insulating gas and discharging the insulating gas to atmosphere is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing breathing gas to a patient that includes a base unit to provide a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas and a humidification canister to be coupled to the base unit is described. The humidification canister includes a first gas flow path to receive and humidify the first flow of gas. A delivery tube assembly includes a first lumen configured for fluid communication with the first gas flow path to receive the humidified first flow of gas and a second lumen to receive the second flow of gas. A method of heating and humidifying the first flow of gas and insulating the first flow of gas with the second flow of gas is also described.

Abstract: A base unit for use in a breathing gas heating and humidification apparatus includes a gas source configured to generate an initial gas flow, the gas source having a gas source outlet and a flow divider in fluid communication with the gas source outlet. The flow divider is configured to divide the initial gas flow into a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas. The flow divider includes a first compartment including a first gas flow path for the first flow of gas and a second compartment including a second gas flow path for the second flow of gas. A heater is disposed in the second compartment. A method for use in generating breathing gas and insulating gas from a gas source is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (1, 51, 101) for deploying and retracting a flexible portion of material (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 502, 702), the apparatus (1, 51, 101) comprising a flexible portion of material (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 502, 702) having an arrangement (203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 703) for carrying threads (4, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) along the flexible portion of material (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 502, 702). The threads (4, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) extend along the flexible portion of material (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 502, 702) via the thread carrying arrangement (203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 703), The apparatus (1, 51, 101) has a container (6, 56, 106) for storing the flexible portion of material (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 502, 702), the container (6, 56, 106) having an arrangement (7, 111) for facilitating movement of the threads (4, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) so that the flexible portion of material (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 502, 702) is incrementally loaded into the container (6, 56, 106).

Abstract: Nebulizer assemblies and systems are disclosed. A nebulizer assembly includes a reservoir and a nebulizer for producing an aerosolized gas. An aerosolized gas outlet passes the aerosolized gas. A breathing gas mixing chamber is coupled to an outlet port of the nebulizer to entrain nebulized medication into a breathing gas. A system and method of heating medication in a reservoir and adding medication to a gas flow is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertical axis turbine 1 apparatus for converting movement of a fluid into electrical power and a method of manufacture of a turbine. The turbine can be installed on a flexible line 2, such as a cable, rope or stay. It could be used on the stay of a yacht. The main rotor 13, 14 of the turbine has least two helical blades arranged about the longitudinal axis with rotational symmetry, the blades being substantially identical in shape and having a lift-producing cross-sectional shape at least along a part of their longitudinal length. A generator 22 coupled to the main rotor 13, 14 and is contained in a generator housing 23.

Abstract: A compressible electrode for the stimulation of the musculature of the pelvic floor complex e.g. for the treatment of anterior and posterior pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, is reversibly compressible and has electro-conductive elements. The compressible electrode may be used with all the usual control units and treatment regimes for the electro-stimulation of the musculature and nerves of the vagina and/or anus. The compressible electrode may be inserted into the vagina or anus through the use of an applicator. In the compressed state the compressible electrode may be of tampon proportions and after use may easily be removed.

Abstract: An electro-stimulation device for the treatment of anterior and posterior pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is reversibly compressible and is fully self-contained. The device requires no external power sources or control and may be inserted into the vagina or anus through the use of an applicator. In the compressed state the device may be of tampon proportions and after use may easily be removed. The device utilizes a compressible electrode component.

Abstract: An electro-stimulation device for the stimulation of the musculature of the pelvic floor complex e.g. for the treatment of anterior and posterior pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is fully self-contained. The device requires no external power sources or control and may be inserted into the vagina or anus through the use of an applicator. The device uses a pre-programmed treatment cycle of stimulating pulses. The cycle comprises either a waveform with an initial phase where the current of the device is ramped from an initial level to a higher level, a second phase where the current is ramped from the higher level from the first phase to a second higher level and a third phase where the current is maintained at the second higher level, or a waveform comprising two or more components each component being a train of regularly spaced pulses or a combination of these two waveforms.

Abstract: A delivery tube assembly for delivering a breathing gas to a patient, the delivery tube includes a first lumen having an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The lumen is configured to deliver the breathing gas from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A second lumen is configured to flow an insulating gas around the first lumen. A method of insulating a breathing gas with an insulating gas and discharging the insulating gas to atmosphere is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing breathing gas to a patient that includes a base unit to provide a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas and a humidification canister to be coupled to the base unit is described. The humidification canister includes a first gas flow path to receive and humidify the first flow of gas. A delivery tube assembly includes a first lumen configured for fluid communication with the first gas flow path to receive the humidified first flow of gas and a second lumen to receive the second flow of gas. A method of heating and humidifying the first flow of gas and insulating the first flow of gas with the second flow of gas is also described.

Abstract: A base unit for use in a breathing gas heating and humidification apparatus includes a gas source configured to generate an initial gas flow, the gas source having a gas source outlet and a flow divider in fluid communication with the gas source outlet. The flow divider is configured to divide the initial gas flow into a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas. The flow divider includes a first compartment including a first gas flow path for the first flow of gas and a second compartment including a second gas flow path for the second flow of gas. A heater is disposed in the second compartment. A method for use in generating breathing gas and insulating gas from a gas source is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and system for delivering breathing gas to a patient is disclosed. The device includes a single nasal prong insertable into a nare. The single nasal prong is sized to allow gas passage between the single nasal prong and the nare. The device also includes a lumen in fluid communication with the single nasal prong. A method of delivering breathing gas to the patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the susceptibility of a human patient to gastrointestinal diseases such as IBS is disclosed. The method comprises detecting polymorphisms in genes encoding the 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter.

Abstract: A water-swung hammock is provided that requires no measure of human or mechanical effort to swing back and forth, thereby increasing a hammock's relaxation characteristics and enabling enjoyment of a hammock on the water. The water-swung hammock includes a floatable body for supporting a main body frame. The floatable body includes a generally flat central portion and raised ends so as to form a sled that is capable of supporting a user. The water-swung hammock further includes a swingable sheet for supporting the user and a support for swingable suspension of the swingable sheet relative to the main body frame. The water-swung hammock further includes a water-swinging pendular assembly coupled to the main body frame for receiving water movement and thereby imparting motive power to the swingable sheet.

Abstract: A wiring outlet assembly having a fixed wiring outlet and a moveable wiring outlet socket member adapted to seat within a cavity of the assembly and removably positionable from the cavity; the removable outlet socket member being electrically connected to an extension cord in electrical connection with the fixed wiring outlet and having a retraction system for retractably extending the wiring outlet socket member a desired distance so that a user may readily connect a connector plug of a device, such as a power plug or phone jack plug, without searching for an extension cord.

Abstract: A multi-level boom adapted for use on a sailing device such as a sailboard. The boom comprises a lower portion in a wishbone type shape having a forward end adapted to be secured to a mast and an aft end adapted for securing the clew of a sail to the boom. The boom further includes at least one elongated tubular member pivotally and slidably secured at one end to the wishbone near the midpoint of one side of the boom and having a clamp at the other end for releasably securing the elongated tubular member to a mast.