Abstract: A nasal cannula comprising: a body portion, having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being spaced apart from one another by the body portion; a body fluid inlet port formed at the first end, and a body fluid outlet port formed at the second end; and a first nasal inlet port and a first nasal output port each extending from the body portion of the cannula, the first nasal inlet port being in fluid communication with the body fluid outlet port, and the first nasal outlet port being in fluid communication with the body fluid inlet port, wherein the nasal cannula comprises first and second end caps at the first and second ends respectively, which first and second end caps are attachable to the body portion, and wherein the body fluid inlet port is formed in the first end cap, and the body fluid outlet port is formed in the second end cap.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, the inner and the outer sleeves being longitudinally displaceable relative to one another to enable the catheter to move from an open state to a closed state, each sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the catheter further comprising a retainer which is open in the open state, and closed in the closed state, the catheter further comprising a lock mechanism comprising lock formed in a lock portion of the catheter for locking the catheter in the open state, and a releaser for releasing the lock, the releaser being adapted to remove at least a part of the lock portion from the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire for facilitating introduction of a flexible catheter into the human body (e.g., into the bladder) has a proximal end having a first stiffness which is sufficient to facilitate guidance of a stiff plastic expansion sheath through the tissue. A distal end of the guide wire has a second stiffness, substantially less than the first stiffness, to avoid damage to internal walls of the bladder. Preferably, the guide wire incorporates an intermediate portion having a stiffness between the first stiffness value and the second stiffness value.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire for facilitating introduction of a flexible catheter into the human body (e.g., into the bladder) has a proximal end having a first stiffness which is sufficient to facilitate guidance of a stiff plastic expansion sheath through the tissue. A distal end of the guide wire has a second stiffness, substantially less than the first stiffness, to avoid damage to internal walls of the bladder. Preferably, the guide wire incorporates an intermediate portion having a stiffness between the first stiffness value and the second stiffness value.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, the inner and the outer sleeves being longitudinally displaceable relative to one another to enable the catheter to move from an open state to a closed state, each sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the catheter further comprising a retainer which is open in the open state, and closed in the closed state, the catheter further comprising a lock mechanism comprising lock formed in a lock portion of the catheter for locking the catheter in the open state, and a releaser for releasing the lock, the releaser being adapted to remove at least a part of the lock portion from the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire for facilitating introduction of a flexible catheter into the human body (e.g., into the bladder) has a proximal end having a first stiffness which is sufficient to facilitate guidance of a stiff plastic expansion sheath through the tissue. A distal end of the guide wire has a second stiffness, substantially less than the first stiffness, to avoid damage to internal walls of the bladder. Preferably, the guide wire incorporates an intermediate portion having a stiffness between the first stiffness value and the second stiffness value.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of tissue comprises a wound dressing (10) which has a porous layer (11) for contacting a wound site and a lumen tube (20) which includes at least first and second conduits (22,23). A proximal end (21) of the lumen tube is installed into the porous layer of the wound dressing and at least one distal end (40) of the tube provides a first coupling means (35) for coupling the first conduit to a source of vacuum supply and a second coupling means (43) which couples the second conduit to a source of treatment fluid which is beneficial to wound healing. The first and second conduits provide fluid communication between the porous layer (11) and the first and second coupling means.