Showing papers on "Tube (fluid conveyance) published in 1995"

Wound drainage equipment

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus is disclosed for stimulating healing of a wound in mammals. The apparatus comprises a porous foamed pad (36) connected by a tube (37, 38) to a canister (19). A vacuum pump is located within a housing having a recess (18) for receiving the canister. A bacterial filter (46) positioned over the outlet of the canister protects the vacuum pump from contamination by wound drainage fluids sucked into the canister.

The ζ-Potential of Gas Bubbles

Abstract: A technique for measuring the ζ-potential of a gas-liquid interface that overcomes the valid criticisms of previous attempts is proposed and demonstrated for the case of an air bubble in deionized water. The ζ-potential is found to be -65 mV with a reliability exceeding any previously reported results. The apparatus used is a horizontal tube that is rapidly rotating about its axis. The tube contains the liquid and small gas bubbles. An electric field imposed along the tube axis causes the bubble to move and the ζ-potential is related to the electrophoretic mobility.

Performance of New Sandwich Tube under Axial Loading: Experiment

Abstract: The strength of steel tubes used in offshore construction is often limited by local and global stability considerations. We propose a new composite tube, which consists of two concentric steel tube...

Drug delivery guidewire

Abstract: This invention relates to a drug delivery device (10) having a hollow tube (20) which is configured to serve as a guide wire for intraluminal procedures. The distal portion of the tube (20) has at least one opening (32) which has a diameter suitable for the infusion of a drug formulation therethrough. The tube (20) is preferably formed from a superelastic material such as nickel-titanium alloy. This invention also relates to various methods of using this drug delivery device (10) in thrombolytic and other intraluminal procedures.

Tube fitting anchoring system

Abstract: A tube fitting anchoring device is provided to securely anchor a catheter and fluid supply tube interconnection to a patient's skin. The anchoring device comprises a retainer which is configured to receive a tube fitting in a variety of positions. The tube fitting interconnects the catheter and the fluid supply tube. The anchoring system additionally includes a flexible, adhesive anchor pad which supports the retainer. In one embodiment, the tube fitting includes two parallel generally tubular segments interconnected by a transverse member. The retainer also includes at least two parallel channels interconnected by a transverse channel. The channels are sized to receive the generally tubular segments of the tube fitting in a snap-fit manner, with the transverse channel also receiving the transverse member of the tube fitting in a snap-fit fashion. In this manner, the retainer holds the generally tubular segments of the tube fitting within the channel and prevents longitudinal, transverse and vertical movement of the tube fitting tubular segments.

Composite fiber optic and electrical cable and associated fabrication method

Abstract: A composite fiber optic and electrical cable having a core which loosely contains at least one optical fiber, a pair of copper clad steel electrical conductors having an outer polymer insulating layer, and a polymer jacket. The jacket is made of a polymer material having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the insulating material of the electrical conductors. As a result, the polymer jacket does not bond with the insulating material during production of the cable. The jacket can thus be easily stripped from the electrical conductors during installation of the cable to facilitate the attachment of the electrical conductors to a signal repeater, or power source, or other electrical device. The cable is manufactured by advancing the core and electrical conductors through an extruder which forms the jacket around the core and electrical conductors. The core may be supplied from a storage reel or may be fabricated just prior to extruding the jacket around the buffer tube and electrical conductors, by extruding a buffer tube loosely around the optic fibers and then surrounding the buffer tube with a reinforcing layer.

Balloon dilation catheter with improved pushability, trackability and crossability

Abstract: A medical system is disclosed which includes an over-the-wire type balloon catheter and a guide wire wherein the catheter includes a polymer outer tube, and an inner tube having a metallic proximal portion and a polymer distal portion. An inflatable balloon is connected to the distal ends of the inner tube and the outer tube. The guide wire may be removed from and inserted into the guide wire lumen at either end of the catheter. The catheter may further include a transition member traversing the junction between the proximal and distal portions of the inner tube. The transition member may be in the form of a wire, a coil or a tube, and may be made of cold drawn stainless steel or a superelastic alloy. The metallic proximal portion of the inner tube may have a wall thickness greater than or equal to 0.0020 inches and an outside diameter less than or equal to 0.0255 inches. The catheter may also include a radiopaque marker band swaged onto the inner tube. A method of manufacturing a balloon catheter is also disclosed which includes the steps of: (1) placing a support member inside a tubular member; (2) sliding a balloon over the tubular member such that the bonding region on the tubular member is aligned with a bonding region on the balloon; (3) placing a heat shrinkable tube over the balloon aligned with the bonding regions; (4) exposing the heat shrinkable tube and the bonding regions to heat (e.g. infrared) such that the heat shrinkable tube exerts a compressive force onto the balloon, the bonding regions flow, the balloon bonding region is radially compressed onto the tubular member bonding region, and the bonding regions form a tip which is tapered in a distal direction. A heat shield may be used to expose only the bonding regions and the heat shrinkable tube. An adhesive (e.g. urethane) or a tie polymer may be applied to either of the bonding regions.

Method of extracting a hollow unit laid in the ground

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of extracting a hollow unit laid in the ground, such as a lead pipe (2) which is accessible at both its open ends. For this purpose, a flexible tube (14) which can be pressurised from inside is introduced in its unpressurised state into the pipe, then pressurised from inside to force the flexible tube against the inner wall of the pipe, and the pipe is then pulled along its longitudinal axis out of the ground, using the flexible tube, during which procedure the internal flexible tube pressure is maintained and there is no axial movement between flexible tube and pipe. Rupture of the pipe during extraction is thus avoided. A new pipe, which is laid in the ground as the old one is being removed, can be connected to the flexible tube or to the lead pipe being extracted behind the rear end (in relation to the direction of pull) of the lead pipe. An additional traction element (12) can be introduced into the pipe together with the flexible tube; this element is forced against the inner wall of the pipe by the inner pressure of the pressurised flexible tube and used either on its own or with the flexible tube to pull out the pipe.

Synthetic vascular prosthesis

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic vascular prosthesis which is formed by a first tube member and a second tube member. Both tube members have inner flow paths for blood. An end of the second tube member is connected with an outer surface of the first tube member, and the inner flow path of the second tube member is communicated with the inner flow path of the first tube member.

Cleaning tube apparatus for endoscope

Abstract: A cleaning tube apparatus for an endoscope, comprises the endoscope having an observation optical system for observing a subject part at a forward-end portion, a cleaning tube detachable with respect to said endoscope, said cleaning tube being provided with a plurality of fluid jetting openings in a peripheral direction at one end of said cleaning tube, said fluid jetting openings being provided for leading cleaning fluid at least to said observation optical system, and a fluid supply unit connected to said cleaning tube, for supplying the cleaning fluid to said cleaning tube.

Hollow fiber cartridge

Abstract: A cartridge containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes is disclosed. The cartridge comprises a plurality of fibers (20) arranged in a bundle and at least one end of the bundle embedded in a tubesheet (30). The tubesheets (30) are fitted with end caps (28) to provide a chamber for the permeate. A feed tube (36) extends longitudinally through the bundle and a permeate discharge tube (40) is housed, preferably concentrically, within a feed tube (36). The cartridge does not required a high pressure seal, such as an O-ring seal, against the inner wall of the pressure vessel (10). The cartridge is configured as a single unit adapted for simple drop-in installation into a pressure vessel (10). Multiple cartridges may readily be inserted into a pressure vessel (10), and arranged so as to operate in series or in parallel. The hollow fiber membrane cartridge is adapted for industrial performance with high volumetric efficiency and high solute rejection.

Method and apparatus for in vivo examination of subcutaneous tissues inside an organ of a body using optical spectroscopy

Abstract: Method and apparatus for examining subcutaneous tissues inside organs of the body. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing an optic probe positioning assembly comprising a solid needle and a hollow tube, the solid needle being sheathed inside the hollow tube; (b) subcutaneously inserting the positioning assembly into a tissue sample to be examined; (c) removing the solid needle from the tissue sample, leaving the hollow tube in place in the tissue; (d) then, inserting an optic probe through the hollow tube into proximity with the tissue sample; (e) optically determining the condition of the tissue sample using the optic probe; (f) after the optically determining step, removing the optic probe from the hollow tube; (g) then, inserting a biopsy needle into the hollow tube; (h) then, excising at least a portion of the tissue sample; and (i) then, removing the biopsy needle and the excised tissue sample from the hollow tube.

Apparatus for removing tumours from hollow organs of the body

Abstract: Disclosed is an endoscope for use in the removal of tumours from hollow body organs such as the bladder. The endoscope consists of sheath (49) through which extends a telescope (46) and a suction diathermy tube (2, 31, 60) the non-operation end (3, 33) of which communicates with a suction device. Provision (51, 52) is made for an irrigation fluid to be passed through the endoscope. The diathermy tube (2, 31 60) may be a flexible plastics tube (2, 61) and the diathermy electrode tip (7, 8) may be formed from electrically conducting resistance wire connected (5, 39, 63) to a diathermy machine. The electrode tip is found adjacent an aperture (4, 9, 41) at the operative of the tube whereby tissue can be immediately removed by suction after severance by the electrode tip. The degree of suction applied to the tube (2, 31 61) being controlled by a finger hole (38a55, 66) located at or near the end (3, 33) of the tube (2, 31, 61). Alternatively the tube (31) may be formed of a metal tube (34) coated with an insulating plastics material (35) and having a cutting or coagulating tip (34a), provision (37, 38, 43 45, 53, 54) being made for reciprocating the tube up and down the endoscope.

Sleeved surgical instrument

Abstract: In order to facilitate the provision of electrical insulation in the region of the tool holder in a sleeved surgical instrument, consisting of a tube on the end of which is releasably fitted a tool holder and incorporating an actuating component fitted so as to be longitudinally movable in the tube to move the tool, electrical insulation being provided for the tube and the holder, it is proposed that the holder consist entirely of an electrically insulating material.

Oxy-fuel burner having coaxial fuel and oxidant outlets

Abstract: An oxy-fuel burner according to the present invention includes an outer oxidant tube, an intermediate fuel tube and an inner oxidant tube which are coaxially arranged with the fuel tube disposed between the inner and outer oxidant tubes. Characteristics of the flame produced by the burner may be controlled by varying the relative flow rates of the inner and outer oxidant flows. An increase in the percentage of the total oxidant which is provided to the inner oxidant tube causes the length and luminosity of the flame to decrease and the flame momentum to increase. According to the present invention, the characteristics of a burner flame can be tailored to a particular application without requiring mechanical modification of the burner.

Methods and apparatus for intrapulmonary therapy and drug administration

Abstract: An endotracheal catheter assembly and method for deep intrapulmonary, aerosol delivery of liquid drugs and other liquid therapeutic agents. The invention can deliver a bolus dose of liquid drugs into the lungs of a patient which is at least bioequivalent in terms of physiological effect to a similar drug dose delivered intravenously. The catheter assembly includes a first, gas-bearing tube and a second, liquid bearing tube, preferably concentrically nested within the gas-bearing tube. The tubes are inserted in an airway of the patient, preferably by threading the tubes into a lumen of an endotracheal tube, to position a terminal nozzle formed by distal tips of the tubes near a carina of the patient. At the nozzle, the lumen of the first tube has a comparative cross-sectional area relative to that of the second tube's lumen of between about 0.4:1.0 and 4.0:1.0. In operation, high velocity gas is forced from the first tube and impacts liquid expelled from the second tube at a high velocity gas/liquid interface, deforming the liquid into an aerosol and propelling it deep within the lungs of the patient.

Apparatus and method for making flexible tubing with helically wound heating conductor

Abstract: A helically wound and helically ribbed plastic tubing (18) incorporating an electrically conductive wire (38) and an apparatus (10) and method for making the tubing (18) are disclosed. A plastic ribbon (28) is wound about an axis into a tube with one edge of each lap overlapping and heat-bonded to an edge of the preceding lap as the tubing is rotated; a conductive wire (38) is embedded in the ribbon; and a bead (32) is applied and heat-sealed onto the tubing, encapsulating the conductive wire (38) during rotation of the tubing (18), providing a unitary structure including a conductive wire (38) integral to a flexible tubing (18) having a corrugated crevice-free outside and a smooth inside. Coolant is applied to the tubing (18) for cooling the unitary ribbon, wire and bead tubing and to assist in advancing the tubing (18) along the axis.

Surgical resection tool having an irrigation, lighting, suction and vision attachment

Abstract: A surgical tool for resecting bone includes a pneumatic motor to which a bearing tube is secured for rotatably supporting a resecting tool. The bearing tube is eccentrically disposed within an attachment tube, with a flow channel defined between an interior of the attachment tube and an exterior of the bearing tube. Irrigation fluid is passed through the flow channel to maintain a constant flow of irrigation fluid about a cutting end of the resecting tool. Optical fibers extend within the attachment tube for passing light to lenses disposed at the specimen end of the attachment tube for providing illumination. At least one optical fiber extends from a lens at the specimen end, through the attachment tube, and to an optical viewer for providing a means for inspecting the bone being resected. The attachment tube is slidably adjustable along the bearing tube for selecting a distance between the specimen end of the attachment tube and the cutting end of the resecting tool.

Steerable open lumen catheter

Abstract: A steerable catheter includes a handle and a catheter tube, the distal region of which may be selectively curved by the operator. A fluid transport tube extends the entire length of the catheter to enable a user to supply or extract fluids from a patient through the catheter. Within the distal tip portion of the catheter tube, two support members are affixed to opposite sides of the fluid transport tube. The distal end of the tip portion of the catheter tube is attached to at least one and preferably two pull cables. When a pull cable is tightened, the catheter's tip portion assumes a curve defined by the orientation in which the support members are affixed to the fluid transport tube. The two support members allow the tip portion of the catheter tube to assume a curvature only in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the two support members.

Double walled insulated tubing and method of installing same

Abstract: A double walled insulated tubing string (46) adapted to be hung from a well head (58) has an inner tubing string (21) formed of plural inner tubes and a radially outer tubing string (22) formed of plural outer tubes, the strings being independent of one another apart from axially fixing the strings relative to one another at the top end of the tubing string, although axial fixation may also be provided at the lower end of the tubular strings if desired. An annular insulating gap (30) between the tubing strings (21, 22) is hermetically sealed at both opposing ends and may be evacuated. The inner and outer tubing strings may be run into a well using conventional oil well drilling technology and there is no mechanical connection between the inner and outer tubing strings (21, 22), especially at the connections of the respective inner and outer lengths of tube. To maintain the inside of the outer tubing string (22) free from formation liquids before the inner tubing string (21) is run into the well and sealed against the outer string at its lower end, a temporary plug (31) initially closes the lower end of the outer string and is de-activated before liquid can flow through the thermally insulated dual tubing string (46).

Endoscope utilizing a fiber optic holding tube with a jacket slit for lateral placement of the fiber optic

Abstract: An endoscope, in particular for applications in urology, has a hollow shaft (10), an optical viewing system (12) which can be inserted in the hollow shaft (10) and has a fiber-optic illumination system, an optical fiber (16) which can be introduced with the optical system (12) into the hollow shaft (10) and connected at its proximal end to an external laser source and is bent at its distal end away from the shaft axis. In order to allow irradiation of tissue lying closely packed around the hollow shaft, an indeformable holding tube (14) which is parallel to the optical system (12) and passes through the hollow shaft (10) is provided; this tube accommodates the optical fiber (16) and its distal end is bent at a fixed angle in relation to the shaft axis and accommodated entirely within the shaft cross-section. A spacer (36) with a radiation window (32) ensures that the tissue to be irradiated cannot lie next to the point (18) at which light emerges from the optical fiber (16).

Safeguarded method and apparatus for fluid communication using coiled tubing, with application to drill stem testing

Abstract: A safeguarded method and apparatus for providing fluid communication with coiled tubing (20), said coiled tubing (20) comprising more particularly coiled-in-coiled tubing, having an inner tube (102) and an outer tube (100), and including multicentric coiled-in-coiled tubing (21) and its method of assembly, the safeguarded method having particular applicability to drill stem testing.

Bone graft delivery system and method

Abstract: A surgical technique for the delivery of bone graft to a medullary canal and implantation of a prosthetic device includes placing bone graft into an elongate hollow tube and arranging a plunger having an elongate rod portion into the hollow tube. The hollow tube, bone graft and plunger assembly are inserted into the medullary canal which has been prepared for the assembly by reaming the medullary canal with a reamer corresponding in size to the hollow tube. The hollow tube is withdrawn from the medullary canal while the plunger is pushed into the canal, resulting in bone graft exiting the hollow tube and being packed by the plunger. A trial prosthesis is used to shape the bone graft within the canal for the prosthesis. Space for a cement mantle can be left through the use of an appropriately sized trial prosthesis.

Extruded multiple plastic layer coating bonded to the outer surface of a metal tube having an optional non-reactive inner layer and process for making the same

Abstract: A multi-layer tube having a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface. The zinc layer being selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. The tube also has a continuous interior layer made of non-reactive material which is preferably made of a polymeric material which is substantially non-reactive in the presence of short chain alcohols. The process for manufacturing the multi-layer tubing of the present invention also includes the steps of positioning a length of non-reactive tubing into the interior of unsealed metal tube, sealing the metal tube with the non-reactive tubing contained within and extruding multiple layers of a melt-processible thermoplastic onto the external surface metal tube the external surface can be pretreated with at least a zinc based coating and a sealant coating on top of the zinc based coating.

Air bag device

Abstract: An air bag unit is provided to protect a vehicle passenger from impacting a member of the interior of a vehicle. The air bag unit includes one or more air bags attached as an integral unit to a clamping device for attachment to a portion of the interior vehicle frame. Since the air bag is intended to protect passengers from impact with an interior member of the vehicle frame, the air bag is adapted to the shape of such member. The clamping device includes an attachment part which slidably engages the interior of the vehicle frame. In addition, the air bag unit is inflated by a tube housed therein. The tube exerts a restraining action on the inflating gas and includes one or more breakage locations which are intended to rupture within the air bag at a predetermined pressure for inflation of the air bag.

Water purification apparatus

Abstract: Water purification apparatus provides an elongate ultraviolet lamp extending into a surrounding hollow tube capable of passing ultraviolet light. The lamp and tube are surrounded by a housing, with water inlet and outlet, which provides an annular flow path around the hollow tube through which water may pass for exposure to ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet reflective surface in the annular flow path reflects ultraviolet rays through the water. A unique seal is provided around an open end of the hollow tube to seal the lamp from water in the housing.

Flexible, multilayered tube

Abstract: A flexible, multilayered tube with superior chemical resistance, heat resistance, and airtightness, as well as superior flexibility and resistance of the inner surface to staining. The tube comprises a flexible, multilayered tube having a first layer comprised of a non-porous polytetrafluoroethylene structure and a second layer comprised of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene structure laminated onto the outer peripheral surface of said first layer. The tube is useful as a medical tubing and in particular useful as an endoscope tube.

Performance of New Sandwich Tube under Axial Loading: Analysis

Abstract: A new composite tube consisting of two concentric steel tubes with polymer concrete sandwiched in between them was studied for its behavior under axial compressive loading Twenty-six small-scale models of short composite tubes were tested and the findings were reported in a companion paper Test results showed that the new composite tubes generally had a compressive strength 10–30% higher than the sum of the individual components The ductility of the composite tube was much improved In this paper, an analytical model is presented to predict the response of the sandwich tube under an axial load up to its peak strength The tracing of the load-deformation curve was accomplished through an iterative procedure An empirical formula for the peak strength of the sandwich tube is also presented Both the analytical model and the empirical formula predict the peak strength of the sandwich tube well