Abstract: A power supply unit for a direct-current galvanic electrolysis device has a housing configured to be held in a hand of a patient and having a conductive outer surface forming a first electrode that is adapted to make electrical contact with the hand of the patient while the housing is being held. In addition, the power supply unit has an electrical power source, an electrical connector supported for detachably coupling to a second electrode in the form of a needle handpiece, a regulating circuit coupled to the power source and having positive and negative output nodes. The regulating circuit positive output node is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the negative output node is electrically coupled to the connector and thereby, in use, to the second electrode of the needle handpiece.

Abstract: A system and method for mitigating potential for injurious effects through hip traction forces during a hip arthroscopy procedure or the like utilises a traction force measuring device arranged to measure traction force applied to a patient during the procedure. A digital processor is configured to periodically receive data signals indicative of the measured traction force during the procedure and provide visual indications of applied force and recommended force limits. The processor is configured to generate an alert signal in the event that the measured traction force exceeds a maximum force threshold level that is least partially based on a predetermined body mass (weight) of the patient.

Abstract: An artificial airway including: an airway tube including at least one airway conduit; an inflatable cuff mounted on a distal end of the tube; a support member extending into the cuff, the cuff having inner side walls, anterior walls and a posterior wall, the inner side walls being joined to the support member to define a recess which communicates with the airway conduit, the anterior walls and posterior wall, sealingly engaging, in use, about the glottic opening and posterior pharyngeal wall respectively of a patient.

Abstract: An artificial airway including an airway tube having proximal and distal ends and a mask mounted at the distal end of the airway tube characterized in that the airway tube includes a curved portion adjacent to its distal end and a straight portion extending from the curved portion to the proximal end of the airway tube and the curved portion is more rigid than the straight portion.

Abstract: A vernier calliper for measuring the thickness of a disc brake rotor fitted to a vehicle, the vernier calliper including: (i) first and second members which are mounted for sliding movement relative to one another along an axis; (ii) first and second abutments located on the first and second members respectively and being adapted, in use, to engage first and second sides of a disc brake rotor, the first abutment including an abutment surface; (iii) retaining means for retaining the calliper in an operative position in which: (iv) the first abutment surface engages the first side of the disc and is parallel thereof; (v) the second abutment engages the second side of the disc; and (vi) said axis is orthogonal to said first and second sides of the disc.

Abstract: A bougie for insertion in a patient, the bougie including: (i) a main shaft having proximal and distal ends and a bore extending axially therein; (ii) a movable tip having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the movable tip being connected to the distal end of the main shaft; (iii) a control member having proximal and distal ends, the control member being mounted for sliding movement in the bore of the main shaft; and (iv) the distal end of the control member being coupled to the distal end of the movable tip, the arrangement being such that an operator can slide the control member relative to the main shaft so as to cause displacement of the tip relative to the axial direction of the main shaft.

Abstract: A pressure indicator: a body having a pressure chamber which has an inlet for communication with a fluid; a resilient diaphragm having a periphery sealed against the body and having one side thereof exposed to the fluid within the chamber; an indicating arm having an inner end which is integrally formed with the other side of the diaphragm and an outer end arm which is adjacent to a scale, the arrangement being such that pressure of the fluid within the chamber causes resilient deformation of the diaphragm which in turn causes the outer end of the arm to move relative to the scale thereby indicating the pressure of the fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: A portable suction device comprising: a gas inlet for receiving pressurized gas from an enclosed source; a gas flow path that extends from the gas inlet to an exhaust; a suction generator that has a suction inlet, the gas flow path extending through the suction generator, such that gas flow through the flow path generates a low pressure at the suction inlet; a collection container with a collection inlet and an outlet that is coupled to the suction inlet; a suction tube that has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being connected to the collection inlet of the collection container; a valve for controlling gas flow through the flow path, the valve having a stem that is configured to pierce the source with movement of the valve from a closed position.

Abstract: A portable vacuum device including: a source of liquefied gas; a gas operated vacuum generator having a vacuum inlet; a valve for controlling flow of gas from the source to the vacuum generator; a suction tube having proximal and distal ends; a collection container having an outlet coupled to the vacuum inlet of the vacuum generator and an inlet coupled to the proximal end of the suction tube, the arrangement being such that when said valve is opened the vacuum generator creates a vacuum in the container and at the distal end of the suction tube.

Abstract: A pressure indicator: a body having a pressure chamber which has an inlet for communication with a fluid; a resilient diaphragm having a periphery sealed against the body and having one side thereof exposed to the fluid within the chamber; an indicating arm having an inner end which is integrally formed with the other side of the diaphragm and an outer end arm which is adjacent to a scale, the arrangement being such that pressure of the fluid within the chamber causes resilient deformation of the diaphragm which in turn causes the outer end of the arm to move relative to the scale thereby indicating the pressure of the fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: A pressure indicator: a body having a pressure chamber which has an inlet for communication with a fluid; a resilient diaphragm having a periphery sealed against the body and having one side thereof exposed to the fluid within the chamber; an indicating arm having an inner end which is integrally formed with the other side of the diaphragm and an outer end arm which is adjacent to a scale, the arrangement being such that pressure of the fluid within the chamber causes resilient deformation of the diaphragm which in turn causes the outer end of the arm to move relative to the scale thereby indicating the pressure of the fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: A bougie for insertion in a patient, the bougie including: (i) a main shaft having proximal and distal ends and a bore extending axially therein; (ii) a movable tip having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the movable tip being connected to the distal end of the main shaft; (iii) a control member having proximal and distal ends, the control member being mounted for sliding movement in the bore of the main shaft; and (iv) the distal end of the control member being coupled to the distal end of the movable tip, the arrangement being such that an operator can slide the control member relative to the main shaft so as to cause displacement of the tip relative to the axial direction of the main shaft.

Abstract: A portable suction device comprising: a gas inlet for receiving pressurized gas from an enclosed source; a gas flow path that extends from the gas inlet to an exhaust; a suction generator that has a suction inlet, the gas flow path extending through the suction generator, such that gas flow through the flow path generates a low pressure at the suction inlet; a collection container with a collection inlet and an outlet that is coupled to the suction inlet; a suction tube that has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being connected to the collection inlet of the collection container; a valve for controlling gas flow through the flow path, the valve having a stem that is configured to pierce the source with movement of the valve from a closed position.

Abstract: A vernier calliper for measuring the thickness of a disc brake rotor fitted to a vehicle, the vernier calliper including: (i) first and second members which are mounted for sliding movement relative to one another along an axis; (ii) first and second abutments located on the first and second members respectively and being adapted, in use, to engage first and second sides of a disc brake rotor, the first abutment including an abutment surface; (iii) retaining means for retaining the calliper in an operative position in which: (iv) the first abutment surface engages the first side of the disc and is parallel thereof; (v) the second abutment engages the second side of the disc; and (vi) said axis is orthogonal to said first and second sides of the disc.

Abstract: An artificial airway including: an airway tube including at least one airway conduit; an inflatable cuff mounted on a distal end of the tube; a support member extending into the cuff, the cuff having inner side walls, anterior walls and a posterior wall, the inner side walls being joined to the support member to define a recess which communicates with the airway conduit, the anterior walls and posterior wall, sealingly engaging, in use, about the glottic opening and posterior pharyngeal wall respectively of a patient.

Abstract: An artificial airway including: an airway tube including at least one airway conduit; an inflatable cuff mounted on a distal end of the tube; a support member extending into the cuff, the cuff having inner side walls, anterior walls and a posterior wall, the inner side walls being joined to the support member to define a recess which communicates with the airway conduit, the anterior walls and posterior wall, sealingly engaging, in use, about the glottic opening and posterior pharyngeal wall respectively of a patient.

Abstract: An artificial airway including an airway tube having proximal and distal ends and a mask mounted at the distal end of the airway tube characterized in that the airway tube includes a curved portion adjacent to its distal end and a straight portion extending from the curved portion to the proximal end of the airway tube and the curved portion is more rigid than the straight portion.

Abstract: A valve for use with a container having intravenous liquid therein, the valve including: a valve body including a valve chamber formed therein; an inlet in fluid communication with the valve chamber; means for connecting the inlet, in use, to the container so that liquid can flow through the inlet to said valve chamber; an outlet having means for connection, in use, to a catheter for intravenous delivery of the liquid; the outlet including an outlet port which opens to said chamber, the port being surrounded by a valve seat; a diaphragm; mounting means for mounting the diaphragm to the body so that a peripheral edge or edge region sealingly engages the body and closes said chamber and such that the diaphragm sealingly engages the valve seat; the arrangement being such that, in use, the head of liquid within the container unseats the diaphragm from the valve seat so that the liquid flows to said outlet but when the level of liquid in the container falls to a predetermined level the diaphragm sealingly engages

Abstract: A portable vacuum device including: a source of liquefied gas; a gas operated vacuum generator having a vacuum inlet; a valve for controlling flow of gas from the source to the vacuum generator; a suction tube having proximal and distal ends; a collection container having an outlet coupled to the vacuum inlet of the vacuum generator and an inlet coupled to the proximal end of the suction tube, the arrangement being such that when said valve is opened the vacuum generator creates a vacuum in the container and at the distal end of the suction tube.

Abstract: A pressure indicator: a body having a pressure chamber which has an inlet for communication with a fluid; a resilient diaphragm having a periphery sealed against the body and having one side thereof exposed to the fluid within the chamber; an indicating arm having an inner end which is integrally formed with the other side of the diaphragm and an outer end arm which is adjacent to a scale, the arrangement being such that pressure of the fluid within the chamber causes resilient deformation of the diaphragm which in turn causes the outer end of the arm to move relative to the scale thereby indicating the pressure of the fluid in the chamber.