Abstract: A humidifier heater base assembly has a heater plate with a thermally conductive portion and a perimeter portion around a perimeter of the heater plate. A resilient member has an inner part attached to the perimeter portion and an outer part adapted to provide a resilient perimeter flange around at least part and preferably the whole of the perimeter portion. The resilient member fixes the heater base to the humidifier by the resilient perimeter flange such that the heater plate and the inner part can move relative to the humidifier in a direction substantially transverse to the general plane of the heater plate. At least a portion of the resilient perimeter flange remains stationary relative to the humidifier.

Abstract: Breathing tube assemblies for use with a respiratory therapy device, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, includes an elbow that permits adjustment of a position of the breathing tube assembly relative to the respiratory therapy device. In some arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes a breathing tube and a swivel elbow. The breathing tube is rotationally fixed relative to the respiratory therapy device and the swivel elbow rotatable relative to the breathing tube. In other arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes an elbow that can be coupled to the respiratory therapy device in one of several possible positions.

Abstract: A humidifier heater base assembly has a heater plate with a thermally conductive portion and a perimeter portion around a perimeter of the heater plate. A resilient member has an inner part attached to the perimeter portion and an outer part adapted to provide a resilient perimeter flange around at least part and preferably the whole of the perimeter portion. The resilient member fixes the heater base to the humidifier by the resilient perimeter flange such that the heater plate and the inner part can move relative to the humidifier in a direction substantially transverse to the general plane of the heater plate. At least a portion of the resilient perimeter flange remains stationary relative to the humidifier.

Abstract: Breathing tube assemblies for use with a respiratory therapy device, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, includes an elbow that permits adjustment of a position of the breathing tube assembly relative to the respiratory therapy device. In some arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes a breathing tube and a swivel elbow. The breathing tube is rotationally fixed relative to the respiratory therapy device and the swivel elbow rotatable relative to the breathing tube. In other arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes an elbow that can be coupled to the respiratory therapy device in one of several possible positions.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical tubes and methods of manufacturing medical tubes. The tube may be a composite structure made of two or more distinct components that are spirally wound to form an elongate tube. For example, one of the components may be a spirally wound elongate hollow body, and the other component may be an elongate structural component also spirally wound between turns of the spirally wound hollow body The tube need not be made from distinct components, however. For instance, an elongate hollow body formed (e.g., extruded) from a single material may be spirally wound to form an elongate tube. The elongate hollow body itself may in transverse cross-section have a thin wall portion and a relatively thicker or more rigid reinforcement portion. The tubes can be incorporated into a variety of medical circuits or may be employed for other medical uses.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical tubes and methods of manufacturing medical tubes. The tube may be a composite structure made of two or more distinct components that are spirally wound to form an elongate tube. For example, one of the components may be a spirally wound elongate hollow body, and the other component may be an elongate structural component also spirally wound between turns of the spirally wound hollow body The tube need not be made from distinct components, however. For instance, an elongate hollow body formed (e.g., extruded) from a single material may be spirally wound to form an elongate tube. The elongate hollow body itself may in transverse cross-section have a thin wall portion and a relatively thicker or more rigid reinforcement portion. The tubes can be incorporated into a variety of medical circuits or may be employed for other medical uses.

Abstract: Breathing tube assemblies for use with a respiratory therapy device, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, includes an elbow that permits adjustment of a position of the breathing tube assembly relative to the respiratory therapy device. In some arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes a breathing tube and a swivel elbow. The breathing tube is rotationally fixed relative to the respiratory therapy device and the swivel elbow rotatable relative to the breathing tube. In other arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes an elbow that can be coupled to the respiratory therapy device in one of several possible positions.

Abstract: Breathing tube assemblies for use with a respiratory therapy device, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, includes an elbow that permits adjustment of a position of the breathing tube assembly relative to the respiratory therapy device. In some arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes a breathing tube and a swivel elbow. The breathing tube is rotationally fixed relative to the respiratory therapy device and the swivel elbow rotatable relative to the breathing tube. In other arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes an elbow that can be coupled to the respiratory therapy device in one of several possible positions.

Abstract: A humidifier heater base assembly has a heater plate with a thermally conductive portion and a perimeter portion around a perimeter of the heater plate. A resilient member has an inner part attached to the perimeter portion and an outer part adapted to provide a resilient perimeter flange around at least part and preferably the whole of the perimeter portion. The resilient member fixes the heater base to the humidifier by the resilient perimeter flange such that the heater plate and the inner part can move relative to the humidifier in a direction substantially transverse to the general plane of the heater plate. At least a portion of the resilient perimeter flange remains stationary relative to the humidifier.

Abstract: A humidifier heater base assembly has a heater plate with a thermally conductive portion and a perimeter portion around a perimeter of the heater plate. A resilient member has an inner part attached to the perimeter portion and an outer part adapted to provide a resilient perimeter flange around at least part and preferably the whole of the perimeter portion. The resilient member fixes the heater base to the humidifier by the resilient perimeter flange such that the heater plate and the inner part can move relative to the humidifier in a direction substantially transverse to the general plane of the heater plate. At least a portion of the resilient perimeter flange remains stationary relative to the humidifier.

Abstract: A humidifier heater base assembly is disclosed for use in a humidifier which is used for heating and humidifying a flow of respiratory gases supplied to a user. The assembly preferably includes a heater plate having a thermally conductive portion and a perimeter portion around the perimeter of the heater plate, and a resilient member having an inner part attached to the perimeter portion. An outer part of the resilient member is adapted to provide a resilient perimeter flange around at least part and preferably the whole of the perimeter portion. The resilient member is adapted to allow the heater base to be fixed to the humidifier by the resilient perimeter flange in such a manner that the heater plate and the inner part can move relative to the humidifier in a direction substantially transverse to the general plane of the heater plate. At least a portion of the resilient perimeter flange remains stationary relative to the humidifier.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical tubes and methods of manufacturing medical tubes. The tube may be a composite structure made of two or more distinct components that are spirally wound to form an elongate tube. For example, one of the components may be a spirally wound elongate hollow body, and the other component may be an elongate structural component also spirally wound between turns of the spirally wound hollow body The tube need not be made from distinct components, however. For instance, an elongate hollow body formed (e.g., extruded) from a single material may be spirally wound to form an elongate tube. The elongate hollow body itself may in transverse cross-section have a thin wall portion and a relatively thicker or more rigid reinforcement portion. The tubes can be incorporated into a variety of medical circuits or may be employed for other medical uses.

Abstract: Breathing tube assemblies for use with a respiratory therapy device, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, includes an elbow that permits adjustment of a position of the breathing tube assembly relative to the respiratory therapy device. In some arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes a breathing tube and a swivel elbow. The breathing tube is rotationally fixed relative to the respiratory therapy device and the swivel elbow rotatable relative to the breathing tube. In other arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes an elbow that can be coupled to the respiratory therapy device in one of several possible positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a sphingosine kinase variant and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof exhibiting reduced catalytic activity and, more particularly, to sphingosine kinase variants which exhibit a reduced capacity to phosphorylate sphingosine to sphingosine-1-phosphate. The present invention also contemplates genetic sequences encoding said sphingosine kinase variants and derivatives, analogues and mimetics thereof. The variants of the present invention are useful in a range of therapeutic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: A method of isolating a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting any one of IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 binding to the common receptor ?c, or a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting the cytokines binding to a receptor analogous to ?c. The method includes the steps of immunizing an animal with a cytokine receptor or portion of a cytokine containing the critical binding site which portion includes the extracellular domain 4 or analogous domain in the analogous common receptor or part thereof. Antibodies producing cells from the animal are then isolated and fused with a myeloma cell line and then screened for a cell line that produces an antibody of the desired type. A monoclonal antibody, or fragments thereof capable of inhibiting the binding of the cytokines IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 to the ?c receptor, and a hybridoma cell line producing the antibody are also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel protein molecules and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof capable of modulating cellular activity and, in particular, modulating cellular activity via the modulation of signal transduction. More particularly, the present invention relates to human sphingosine kinase and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The present invention also contemplates genetic sequences encoding said protein molecules and derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The molecules of the present invention are useful in a range of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A light-directing assembly is coupled to a light-emitting lamp. The assembly includes an opaque light shield having a top wall with a first opening. The light shield further includes a side wall coupled to the top wall and defines a second opening at a bottom edge. A light-directing assembly also includes a resilient washer having a central aperture and an outer dimension smaller than an inner dimension of the side wall. The central aperture of the washer is coupled to and receives a portion of the light-emitting lamp through an interference fit. The first opening of the light shield receives a second portion of the light-emitting lamp. A top wall of the light shield is supported by the washer and surrounds the light-emitting lamp. Thus, light from the light-emitting lamp is directed from the light-emitting lamp only out of the light shield and through the second opening.

Abstract: A method of isolating a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting any one of IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 binding to the common receptor &bgr;c, or a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting the cytokines binding to a receptor analogous to &bgr;c. The method includes the steps of immunising an animal with a cytokine receptor or portion of a cytokine containing the critical binding site which portion includes the extracellular domain 4 or analogous domain in the analogous common receptor or part thereof. Antibodies producing cells from the animal are then isolated and fused with a myeloma cell line and then screened for a cell line that produces an antibody of the desired type. A monoclonal antibody, or fragments thereof capable of inhibiting the binding of the cytokines IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 to the &bgr;c receptor, and a hybridoma cell line producing the antibody are also claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an exteriorly mounted mirror is provided. The apparatus contains a first portion having an interior portion and an exterior portion, and a second portion having an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein a portion of the first portion and the second portion is attached to define an inner volume within the apparatus, and wherein an opening is defined by a portion of the first portion and the second portion that is not attached. A first connecting means is attached to the exterior portion of the first portion and a second connecting means is attached to the exterior portion of the second portion, wherein fastening the first connecting means and the second connecting means decreases a size of the opening.

Abstract: A method of isolating a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting any one of IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 binding to the common receptor &bgr;c or a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting the cytokines binding to a receptor analogous to &bgr;c. The method includes the steps of immunizing an animal with a cytokine receptor or portion of a cytokine containing the critical binding site which portion includes the extracellular domain 4 or an analogous domain in the analogous common receptor or part thereof. Antibodies producing cells from the animal are then isolated and fused with a myeloma cell line and then screened for a cell line that produces an antibody of the desired type. A monoclonal antibody, or fragments thereof capable of inhibiting the binding of the cytokines IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 to the &bgr;c receptor, and a hybridoma cell line producing the antibody are also claimed.