Abstract: A cuffed tracheal tube for use in intubation of a trachea of a patient during laser surgery involving the head or neck of the patient, includes a flexible aluminum conduit, and an expandable cuff carried at one end of the conduit and including a body of sponge-like material enclosed within a cover filled with water which saturates the sponge-like body while expanding the cuff to provide a seal between the tracheal tube and the trachea of the patient. The flexible aluminum conduit and the water saturated cuff define a heat dispersion medium for absorbing laser energy engaging the tracheal tube.

Abstract: The present invention includes a tracheal tube in which a cuff is mounted on an elongated tube. The cuff includes an inner inflatable balloon member and an outer inflatable balloon member. The inner inflatable member is disposed on the elongated tube in surrounding relationship and the outer inflatable member is disposed on the elongated tube and over the inner member in surrounding relationship. The inner balloon member is operatively connected to a source to receive gases for inflation to a diameter corresponding to the smallest diameter of the trachea. The outer balloon is operatively connected either to a positive ventilation device or to the airway pressure corresponding to the pressure in the respiratory tract to seal the respiratory tract during high pressure phases of mechanical ventilation.

Abstract: A reduced size waveguide directional coupler assembly includes a first rectangular waveguide which is adapted to receive signal at an input port. A conductive septum parallel with a broad wall of the rectangular waveguide divides the signal into two portions flowing in first and second channels within the first waveguide. The septum may be centered between the broad walls, in which case the two signal portions and channel dimensions are the same, or the septum may be off-center, resulting in dissimilar amplitudes of the two signal portions. The coupler also includes a second waveguide. Branch waveguides or other coupling apertures open from the first channel into the second waveguide. That energy not flowing to the second waveguide from the first channel may be routed to an independent output port, or may be recombined with the energy flowing in the second channel and routed to a combined output port.

Abstract: An improved device for use in exercising vaginal muscles, embodying a cuffed rod for insertion into the vagina, the cuff being normally yieldingly inflated for affording a yielding resistive force, while being collapsible to the diameter of the rod.

Abstract: Device for use in exercising the vaginal muscles, embodying a cuffed rod for insertion into the vagina, the cuff being normally yieldingly inflated for affording a yielding resistive force, but being collapsible for insertion into the vagina. A volume displacement indicator is operatively connected to the cuff for measuring the amount of air flow from within the cuff resulting from the collapse of the cuff due to the contraction of the vaginal muscles.

Abstract: A tracheal tube for use in intubation of a trachea, and embodying a resilient yieldable cuff for effecting a seal between the tube and the trachea. The cuff contains a resilient member, which normally resiliently maintains the cuff in an expanded position away from the tube. The tube also embodies a secondary tube mounted on the tracheal tube in communication with the interior of the cuff for applying a vacuum to the cuff for contracting the latter. The tracheal tube also embodies a connector in communication with the interior thereof for connecting the secondary tube to the interior of the tracheal tube during mechanical ventilation and thereby increasing and decreasing the pressure within the cuff in accordance with the pressure variation in the tracheal tube during such an operation.