Abstract: A suction catheter apparatus for extracting secretions from a patient's airway including a suction collection tube, a catheter attached to the suction collection tube, and a control valve disposed between the catheter and the suction collection tube, the control valve set to an open position as the catheter is being inserted into the patient's airway while the suction is active so that the catheter extracts secretions as the catheter travels into the patient's airway to a predetermined depth. The suction catheter apparatus can be an open suction catheter apparatus or a closed suction catheter apparatus. This design feature provides a clear pathway for air flow from the atmosphere to reach a tip of the catheter instead of the air flow being extracted from the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: A portable suction pump for aspirating secretions from a patient's artificial airway includes a peristaltic pump head, a suction tube extending from a patient through the peristaltic pump head, the suction tube having a tee-fitting conduit, and a collection container having a plurality of ports for collecting patient media. A clinician has an ability to increase or decrease vacuum levels without increasing or decreasing flowrate and/or an ability to increase or decrease the flow rate without increasing or decreasing the vacuum levels. The tee-fitting conduit extends to a vacuum sensor port connecting to a vacuum sensor in communication with a processor, the processor controlling a proportional valve employed to regulate the vacuum levels.

Abstract: A scalpel shield system for a scalpel that has a handle and a blade with a sharp cutting edge. The system is mountable on the scalpel and provided with a blade guard member having a pivot component engagable with a pivot component on the blade or the handle. The blade guard member is manually pivotable relative to the scalpel between a guard position for preventing injury by the sharp cutting edge and a retracted position for exposing the sharp cutting edge.

Abstract: A high flow therapy system including a microprocessor, a heating element a non-sealing respiratory interface and a sensor is disclosed. The heating element is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is capable of heating a liquid to create a gas. The non-sealing respiratory interface is configured to deliver the gas to a patient. The sensor is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is configured to measure pressure in an upper airway of the patient.

Abstract: A nasal cannula comprising: a base portion defining a gas passageway and one or more nozzles defining a second gas passageway in gaseous communication with the first gas passageway for directing a therapeutic flow of gas to a user's nares. The nasal cannula may include one or more sensors for measuring the properties of gas within a user's nares. The nozzle may be a nasal insert that is inserted into the user's nares; recesses or grooves are provided for preventing sealing of the nasal insert with the nare. The nozzle may be shaped to avoid insertion into the user's nares, thus preventing sealing with the nares. A stop may be positioned between two nozzles to engage a user's columella and prevent the nozzles from inserting into the user's nares. Elongate extensions are provided for inserting into the user's nares and supporting sensors for measuring gas properties therein.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of tasks associated with at least one job position. The method also includes grouping the plurality of tasks into one or more groups. Each group includes at least one of the identified tasks. The method further includes identifying, for each of the one or more groups, at least one additional characteristic associated with the group. In addition, the method includes storing, for each of the one or more groups, information identifying the at least one task associated with the group and the at least one additional characteristic associated with the group in a data object.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of tasks associated with at least one type of work. The method also includes grouping the plurality of tasks into one or more groups. Each group includes at least one of the identified tasks. The method further includes identifying, for each of the one or more groups, at least one additional characteristic associated with the group. In addition, the method includes storing, for each of the one or more groups, information identifying the at least one task associated with the group and the at least one additional characteristic associated with the group in a data object.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program provide a plurality of questions to a job applicant. The questions represent standardized questions. The method, system, and computer program receive answers to the plurality of questions from the job applicant. The method, system, and computer program determine one or more employability characteristics of the job applicant using the answers to the plurality of questions. The one or more employability characteristics identify how employable the job applicant is based on qualifications of the job applicant.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program receive an identification of one or more skills associated with a job. The method, system, and computer program also receive a selection of one or more questions associated with the one or more skills. In addition, the method, system, and computer program provide an interview form, which includes the selected questions for use during an employment interview.

Abstract: At least one work activity associated with an employee's job is identified. The employee identifies at least one additional work activity. At least one task for each of the identified work activities is identified. The employee identifies at least one additional task for one or more of the identified work activities. The employee assigns a rating to each of the identified tasks. The ratings are associated with the employee's performance of the identified tasks.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of tasks associated with at least one job position. The method also includes grouping the plurality of tasks into one or more groups. Each group includes at least one of the identified tasks. The method further includes identifying, for each of the one or more groups, at least one additional characteristic associated with the group. In addition, the method includes storing, for each of the one or more groups, information identifying the at least one task associated with the group and the at least one additional characteristic associated with the group in a data object.

Abstract: A scalpel shield system for a scalpel that has a handle and a blade with a sharp cutting edge. The system is mountable on the scalpel and provided with a blade guard member having a pivot component engagable with a pivot component on the blade or the handle. The blade guard member is manually pivotable relative to the scalpel between a guard position for preventing injury by the sharp cutting edge and a retracted position for exposing the sharp cutting edge.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to tube apparatuses and more particularly to tube apparatuses that are connected to a source of pressurized air that forces air into the lungs of a recipient. The invention comprises an elongated flexible tube connected to a pair of nasal tubes positioned in the nares of the nose of the recipient. The ends of the elongated tube are connected to an air pressure control device. The nasal tubes include bulbous portions that seat and seal the nasal tubes in the nares. The invention also includes a yoke that adjustably connects the elongated tube to a headband on the head of the recipient. An alternate embodiment uses an endotracheal tube apparatus that is connected to the source of pressurized air for forcing pressurized air into the lungs of the recipient.

Abstract: A package is described for use with hypodermic needles that assures sterility of the needle prior to use and prevents inadvertent access to the needle after use. In a preferred embodiment a needle housing is hingedly attached to a base so that the housing may be moved from a first position covering the sterile needle to a second position exposing the needle for use to a third position covering the used needle. A hook like protrusion projects from the inside wall of the housing and is biased, in a non-engaging relationship, against the needle prior to use of the needle. When the housing is moved from the second to the third housing position the hook like protrusion engages the needle to prevent movement of the housing and further use of the needle.

Abstract: An inhalation device for dispensing a medicament from a metered dosage cartridge that includes a hand-held housing having a mouthpiece and a passageway for ambient air, a triggering mechanism mounted in the housing, a biasing device for moving the cartridge to operative relationship with the passageway upon activation by the triggering mechanism, and a battery-powered circuit in the housing including a switch associated with the passageway and a solenoid operated mechanism secured to the housing for activating the trigger mechanism, with the switch acting to close the circuit and so activate the solenoid so as to activate the trigger mechanism and the biasing device so that the cartridge positions an activated outlet pin into the passageway. The switch is activated by the pressure of the passage of air drawn through the passageway by the inhaling action of the patient.