Abstract: An esophageal catheter device including a catheter with a balloon pressure sensor affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter, and a stylet assembly including a stylet for providing appropriate rigidity to the catheter to aid insertion in the esophagus and a port for removably mounting a pressure transducer.

Abstract: Continuous positive airway pressure systems are provided including an interface defining a plenum chamber therein, and a pair of nasal cannulas connected to and in fluid communication with the plenum chamber of the interface. The nasal cannulas are configured and dimensioned to deliver pressurized air from the plenum chamber to the nares of a patient, wherein each nasal cannula is capable of off axis movement and/or pivoting.

Abstract: A catheter useful for non-surgical entry into the cervical canal of a uterus to dispense a diagnostic fluid therein. The catheter includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The lumen includes a first aperture at or adjacent to the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the interior of a subject uterus, and a balloon disposed marginally adjacent to the first end of the body for fluid sealing the interior of the subject uterus. The lumen further includes a second aperture in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon for inflation thereof with the diagnostic fluid. The area of the first aperture is less than the area of the second aperture to provide a backpressure that inflates the balloon when a diagnostic fluid is injected through the catheter. In most applications, the catheter can be combined with a syringe to form a catheter apparatus.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to a preformed nasal septum skin barrier device having a mounting member and a stem portion which extends outwardly from the mounting member. The device also has an adhesive means, associated with at least the mounting member, for applying the device to an area adjacent an upper lip of an individual. When so applied the stem portion covers at least a portion of a nasal septum area of the individual and prevents nasal cannulae from contacting and causing an injury to the nasal septum area. More particularly, the stem portion may extend substantially perpendicularly from the mounting member. Additionally, the adhesive means for applying the device can be a skin compatible adhesive, covered by a removable protective covering, which is disposed on the mounting member and/or the stem portion.

Abstract: A catheter device for non-surgical entry into a uterus, includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, the lumen having an external opening adjacent to or at the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the uterus. An elongated balloon is disposed distally on the tubular body for insertion into the cervical canal of the uterus, the balloon having opposing portions which occlude opposing openings of the canal.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for gaining access into the uterine cavity in order to perform minimally invasive surgery or diagnostic procedures related to a uterus and fallopian tubes, includes a single-lumen catheter; and an elongated balloon disposed distally on the single-lumen catheter for insertion into a cervical canal of the uterus. The balloon has opposing portions which occlude openings of the cervical canal when inflated. A fluid displacement sleeve is slidably disposed over the single-lumen catheter. The sleeve is moveable over the elongated balloon to inflate the portions of the balloon which are adjacent the opposite openings of the cervical canal when the balloon is inserted therein. Because there is no need for a balloon inflation lumen, the outer diameter of the catheter can be minimized and the cost of the apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: An esophageal catheter device including a catheter with a balloon pressure sensor affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter, and a stylet assembly including a stylet for providing appropriate rigidity to the catheter to aid insertion in the esophagus and a port for removably mounting a pressure transducer.

Abstract: A catheter device for non-surgical entry into a uterus, includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, the lumen having an external opening adjacent to or at the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the uterus. An elongated balloon is disposed distally on the tubular body for insertion into the cervical canal of the uterus, the balloon having opposing portions which occlude opposing openings of the canal.

Abstract: A shield is provided for a surgical scalpel having a handle and a blade secured thereto. In one embodiment, the shield is slidably engaged with the blade, and movable between a position covering the cutting edge of the blade and a position exposing the cutting edge of the blade. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the shield for moving the shield between the position covering the cutting edge and the position exposing the cutting edge. In another embodiment, the shield is pivotally and frictionally engaged to the blade while still allowing the shield to be moved between a position covering the cutting edge of the blade and a position exposing the cutting edge of the blade. An actuation mechanism is included to cause the travel of the shield between the two positions.

Abstract: A nasal positive airway pressure device is provided having a plenum chamber, a pair of nasal delivery members, and a variable orifice venting aperture member. The variable orifice venting aperture member preferably is mounted to the plenum chamber, but may be mounted at other locations in communication with the nasal delivery members. The variable orifice vent aperture member expands under increased pressure, e.g., during exhalation, and contracts to its original diameter at lower pressures, e.g., during inhalation, to provide variable venting capacity during positive airway pressure treatment.

Abstract: A shield is provided for a surgical scalpel having a handle and a blade secured thereto. In one embodiment, the shield is slidably engaged with the blade, and movable between a position covering the cutting edge of the blade and a position exposing the cutting edge of the blade. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the shield for moving the shield between the position covering the cutting edge and the position exposing the cutting edge. In another embodiment, the shield is pivotally and frictionally engaged to the blade while still allowing the shield to be moved between a position covering the cutting edge of the blade and a position exposing the cutting edge of the blade. An actuation mechanism is included to cause the travel of the shield between the two positions.

Abstract: A nasal positive airway pressure mask is provided having a variable orifice venting aperture member. The variable orifice venting aperture member preferably is mounted to the mask frame, but may be mounted at other locations. The variable orifice vent aperture member expands under increased pressure, e.g., during exhalation, and contracts to its original diameter at lower pressures, e.g., during inhalation, to provide variable venting capacity during positive airway pressure treatment.

Abstract: The invention is addressed to a medical tube holder of resilient material for the placement of endotracheal, gastrointestinal or other tubes relative to the body of a patient. The preferred embodiment includes body attachment site, a medical tube support extension projecting from the body attachment site and a frictional tube engagement structure.

Abstract: A needle protection device is disclosed having an elongate housing with a longitudinal needle entrance portion defined between two housing side walls. At least one hinged door member is provided extending across the entrance portion to enclose the needle within the housing. In one embodiment the housing has a trap door attached by a resilient living hinge to one side wall and extending across the entrance portion to engage a door stop on the opposite side wall, so that the door is able to rotate about the hinge toward the first side wall to allow the needle to enter the housing, but is limited by the door stop in the degree of rotation away from the first side wall, thereby preventing a needle within the housing from exiting through the entrance portion. In alternative embodiments the door may extend less than the entire length of the housing and/or a needle engaging member, such as a needle engaging hook, may be provided to engage and retain the needle within the housing.

Abstract: A nasal positive airway pressure device is provided having a pair of nasal members each having a cannula tip to be inserted into the nares of the patient. Each cannula is tapered from a substantially circular cross-section outside the patient's nostril to a substantially oval cross-section at the tip inserted into the nostril. An inflatable cuff surrounds each cannula with the interior space of the cuff communicating with the lumen of the cannula through at least one aperture in the side wall of the cannula. The nasal members are connected to one or more flexible hoses which, in turn, are connected to a source of positive air pressure. In use, positive air pressure is supplied to the each cannula tip through the air hoses and nasal members. The positive air pressure inflates the cuffs to hold the nasal members in place and to effect treatment, The tapered tip configuration, soft inflatable cuffs and adjustable positioning of the nasal members and tip provide a device which is more comfortable to the user.

Abstract: A braking device for small recreational vehicles, such as roller skates or skateboards, having brake pads positioned in close proximity to the wheels of the recreational vehicle. The brake shoes are brought into operative contact with the wheels to effect braking under the action of a hand squeezable bulb. The braking assembly transmits the pressure created from squeezing a bulb through a conduit to a pressure activated member, such as an inflatable bladder, to displace the brake shoes to their braking position. Braking pressure may be maintained through the use of a valve. The braking conduit may be easily disengaged from the pressure activated member so that the recreational vehicle may alternatively be used in a conventional fashion having no braking capability.

Abstract: A nasal continuous positive airway pressure apparatus includes a pair of cannula each having an inflatable cuff to position the cannulae within the nares of a patient. The cannulae are connected to a source of positive air pressure to provide continuous positive nasal airway pressure. The cuffs may be inflated by providing cuff apertures in the cannula so that the positive airway pressure during inhalation and exhalation maintain the cuffs inflated and the cannulae positioned within the nares during treatment. Alternatively, the cuffs may be separately inflated. The apparatus includes an inflatable air strap harness to position and hold the nasal cannulae device relative to the patient's head. The inflatable air strap harness is soft and flexible and comfortable for the patient to wear. The air strap is inflated and secured, such as with a hook and loop belt, surrounding the patient's head with the cannulae inserted into the patient's nares.