Abstract: Provided herein is an endotracheal tube, and an intubation system comprising said endotracheal tube and a stylet for guiding an endotracheal tube during intubation. The endotracheal tube has a body comprising a flexible hollow tube with a distal end for insertion into a patient's trachea during intubation, and an opposite proximal end. The endotracheal tube comprises one or more internal projections, said internal projections projecting radially inwardly from an internal wall surface of a distal tip portion of the endotracheal tube, wherein the internal projections are tapered in at least one direction.

Abstract: Provided herein is an endotracheal tube, and an intubation system comprising said endotracheal tube and a stylet for guiding an endotracheal tube during intubation. The endotracheal tube has a body comprising a flexible hollow tube with a distal end for insertion into a patient's trachea during intubation, and an opposite proximal end. The endotracheal tube body comprises a polymeric material comprising a helically wound, meshed or braided reinforcement structure embedded therein, the helically wound, meshed or braided reinforcement structure being formed from one or more filaments. One or more properties of the reinforcement structure vary along the length of the endotracheal tube such that the bending flexibility and/or the mechanical strength of the endotracheal tube varies along the length of the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a microwave ablation applicator which includes a shaft assembly and an antenna assembly located within the shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an elongate shaft which extends from a first end to a second end thereof, and which defines therein a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the antenna assembly, and an applicator tip mounted on the second end of the elongate shaft. The shaft assembly further includes a coolant delivery tube having a side wall which defines an elongate hollow interior.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a microwave tissue ablation process, particularly the determination of an ablation size estimate during microwave ablation of such tissue. The method includes applying a correction value to the determined temperature value, so as to provide a corrected temperature value.

Abstract: A microwave ablation antenna assembly includes an elongate body that extends from a first end to a second end thereof, and which defines therein a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the antenna. The ablation antenna assembly includes an applicator tip portion mounted on the second end of the elongate body, an elongate coaxial conductor assembly for connection to a source of microwave energy, a dipole tip portion that extends from the feed point of the coaxial conductor assembly towards the applicator tip, and a choke assembly with first and second choke conductors.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a microwave ablation applicator which includes a shaft assembly and an antenna assembly located within the shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an elongate shaft which extends from a first end to a second end thereof, and which defines therein a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the antenna assembly, and an applicator tip mounted on the second end of the elongate shaft. The applicator tip defines an annular slot with which the second end of the elongate shaft engages. At least part a portion of the second end of the shaft is of a fibre reinforced plastics material having a plurality of elongate fibres bound in a plastics material, at least some of the fibres extending at least partially circumferentially around the annular slot of the applicator tip.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a microwave ablation applicator having a shaft assembly and an antenna assembly located within the shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an elongate shaft which extends from a first end to a second end thereof and an applicator tip mounted on the second end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a microwave ablation applicator which includes a shaft assembly and an antenna assembly located within the shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an elongate shaft (22) which extends from a first end to a second end thereof, and which defines therein a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the antenna assembly; and an applicator tip (24) mounted on the second end of the elongate body. The elongate shaft (22) comprises a first shaft portion (44) which extends longitudinally from the first end of the shaft (22) to an engagement region between the first and second ends of the shaft (22), and a second portion (46) which extends longitudinally from the engagement region to the second end of the shaft (22). The first shaft portion (44) is of a carbon reinforced plastics material, and the second shaft portion (46) is of a fibre reinforced plastics material having fibres which are non-electrically conductive.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a microwave ablation applicator which includes a shaft assembly and an antenna assembly located within the shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an elongate shaft (22) which extends from a first end (201) to a second end (202) thereof, and which defines therein a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the antenna assembly, and an applicator tip (24) mounted on the second end (202) of the elongate shaft (22). The applicator tip (24) defines an annular slot (70) with which the second end of the elongate shaft (22) engages. At least part a portion of the second end of the shaft (22) is of a fibre reinforced plastics material having a plurality of elongate fibres (52,56) bound in a plastics material (54), at least some of the fibres (56) extending at least partially circumferentially around the annular slot (70) of the applicator tip (24).

Abstract: A shaft assembly (20) for a microwave ablation applicator which includes a shaft assembly (20) and an antenna assembly (26) located within the shaft assembly (20) is disclosed. The shaft assembly (20) comprises an elongate shaft (22) which extends from a first end (201) to a second end (202) thereof, and which defines therein a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the antenna assembly, and an applicator tip (24) mounted on the second end (202) of the elongate shaft. The shaft assembly (20) further includes a coolant delivery (80) tube having a side wall which defines an elongate hollow interior (82).

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a microwave tissue ablation process, particularly the determination of an ablation size estimate during microwave ablation of such tissue.

Abstract: A microwave ablation antenna assembly (20) incorporates an improved choke assembly (40) which provides the antenna assembly (20) with both a largely spherical ablation pattern and an improved impedance matching characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a camera. In one embodiment, although not limited thereto, an illuminator illuminates an area of interest. A camera then takes multiple pictures of the illuminated area and an algorithm is then used to compare the pictures and locate and pirate cameras based on the reflection characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention enable the transmission and receipt of information packets to and from at least one automotive data bus that enables connectivity between automotive devices on at least one automotive data bus and external devices not originally coupled with an automotive data bus or between an automotive device residing on one automotive data bus and another automotive device residing on a different automotive bus. Devices that may be coupled with an automotive data bus that were not originally coupled with the bus include but are not limited to cell phones, garage door openers, radar detectors, digital music players, alarms, stereos, GPS receivers, PCs, PDAs, digital cameras, video cameras or any other electronic device. These external devices may be controlled by the switches on a steering wheel or radio buttons for example when coupled with embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: There is provided a method of dechucking from an electrostatic chuck a substrate held by one or more residual forces to the chuck, the method comprising the steps of: (a) reducing a residual chucking force due to the electrostatic chuck polarisation; (b) contracting the chuck with the substrate attached thereto with a plasma for a time sufficient substantially to remove any residual charge from the surface of the substrate and the chuck; and (c) subsequently to, or simultaneously with, step (b) removing the substrate from the chuck. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the method.