Abstract: A catheter has a distal end which is to be positioned through potentially contaminated tissue within a patient to a desired site, and a proximal end. The catheter has at least one fluid lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The fluid lumen provides fluid communication between the desired site and the proximal end. A removable protective barrier is positioned within the fluid lumen at its distal end. The protective barrier is made from a biocompatible material and selectively occludes the distal end of the fluid lumen so that entry of the contaminated tissue, prior to the distal end of the catheter reaching the desired site, is prevented.

Abstract: A balloon tipped catheter and process for making the same is provided for the insertion into the suction channel of a bronchoscope. The balloon material is stretched across a recess formed in the catheter tubing. The stretched balloon forms an hour glass shape, thereby preventing the balloon material from becoming damaged while the catheter is being pushed through a curved bronchoscope.

Abstract: A catheter for use in simultaneous tracheal oxygenating and aspirating a patient. The catheter includes an elongated flexible tube arrangement adapted to have at least one end portion extended into the tracheal passage of a patient. The tube arrangement has two separate lumens therethrough. One lumen has at least one opening in the one end portion and is adapted to be connected at the other end of the tube arrangement to a source of suction to permit aspiration of material from the patient through the one lumen. The other lumen has at least one opening at the other end and is adapted to be connected at the other end to a source of oxygen to permit simultaneous oxygenating of the patient through the other lumen while the patient is aspirated through the one lumen.

Abstract: Sterilant package comprised of first and second sheets of a gas barrier material and an intermediate sheet of paper having a material capable of releasing gaseous formaldehyde on heating, the sheets being sealed together to define the package, with the paper sheet being in the interior of the package. The paper sheet divides the package into two compartments.