Abstract: An endotracheal intubation device has a flexible main tube having an outer end and a patient end for permitting passage of air from an environment outside a patient into a trachea of the patient when the patient is intubated with the device. An inflatable and deflatable balloon is attached to the main tube at a position closer to the patient end than the outer end of the main tube. The balloon is inflatable in the trachea to immobilize the main tube in the trachea. The balloon has a wall and the wall has a recess in a top surface thereof for collecting fluid secretions of the patient intubated with the device to prevent the fluid secretions from passing down the trachea into lungs when the balloon is deflated in the trachea. Preventing fluid from reaching the lungs when the device is removed reduces risk of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).

Abstract: A protective device for use with a helmet, for example a sporting helmet, has a plurality of removable and replaceable resilient deformable sacrificial bubble structures adapted to be installed on a helmet to absorb an impact force when the impact force impacts the bubble structures. The bubble structures can also provide an indication of location and severity of the impact force on the helmet. In one embodiment, a helmet cover for wearing over an outer surface of a helmet has a base layer capable of being fitted over the outer surface of the helmet and a plurality of removeable and replaceable bubble structures contained in the base layer.

Abstract: A curling broom includes an elongate shaft having opposed first and second ends, the first end being graspable by a sweeper and being attached to a broom head attachment plate located at the second end. A curling broom head is attached to the broom head receptacle for sweeping an ice surface. The broom head includes a base section, a reflective constituent selected to reflect infrared radiation which can be a layer secured to a bottom surface of the base section, or the top of the woven fabric or both or a reflective powder incorporated into a foam pad attached to the base section, (or the foam pad being metalized), or an outer surface of an outer fabric layer being metalized and secured to the base section. Infrared radiation generated by sweeping the ice is reflected by the reflective layer back towards the ice surface for further heating the ice surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curling broom head for improved ice surface heating and curling performance. The curling broom includes an elongate shaft having opposed first and second ends, the first end being graspable by a sweeper and being attached to a broom head attachment plate located at the second end. A curling broom head is attached to the broom head receptacle for sweeping an ice surface. The broom head includes a base section, a reflective constituent selected to reflect infrared radiation which can be a layer secured to a bottom surface of the base section, or the top of the woven fabric or both or a reflective powder incorporated into a foam pad attached to the base section, (or the foam pad being metalized), or an outer surface of an outer fabric layer located below the pad being metalized and secured to the base section. The outer surface of the outer fabric layer contacts the ice during sweeping motion by the user sweeping the ice surface with the broom.