A machine includes an inflation arrangement, a sealing arrangement, and a tensioning device. The inflation arrangement provides air at a first pressure to inflate a first web of a first type of inflatable material, provides air at a second pressure to inflate a second web of a second type of inflatable material, receives the first and second webs, and aligns the first and second webs on the machine. The first pressure is different from the second pressure. The sealing arrangement seals the first and second types of inflatable material. The tensioning device provides a first tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation and sealing arrangements and provides a second tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation and sealing arrangements. The first tensioning force is different from the second tensioning force.

An inflatable web includes an inflation zone, a first inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone, and a second inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone. The first inflatable panel includes a first sheet juxtaposed on a second sheet. The first and second sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The second inflatable panel include a third sheet juxtaposed on a fourth sheet. The third and fourth sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The inflatable film is configured to be inflated by an inflation and sealing machine configured to direct gas into the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels via the inflation zone and to individually seal the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels.

Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses for mitigating the pressure applied to a human body by the support surface of an object. The pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers that can be individually controlled to vary the pressure therein. By varying the chamber pressure, the main point of pressure applied by the support surface to the human body may be moved across the surface of the human body. An attachment apparatus may be used to securely adhere the pressure-mitigation apparatus to the support surface.

Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses for mitigating the pressure applied to a human body by the support surface of an object. The pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers that can be individually controlled to vary the pressure therein. By varying the chamber pressure, the main point of pressure applied by the support surface to the human body may be moved across the surface of the human body. An attachment apparatus may be used to securely adhere the pressure-mitigation apparatus to the support surface.

Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses for mitigating the pressure applied to a human body by the support surface of an object. The pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers that can be individually controlled to vary the pressure therein. By varying the chamber pressure, the main point of pressure applied by the support surface to the human body may be moved across the surface of the human body. An attachment apparatus may be used to securely adhere the pressure-mitigation apparatus to the support surface.

Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses for mitigating the pressure applied to a human body by the support surface of an object. The pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers that can be individually controlled to vary the pressure therein. By varying the chamber pressure, the main point of pressure applied by the support surface to the human body may be moved across the surface of the human body. An attachment apparatus may be used to securely adhere the pressure-mitigation apparatus to the support surface.

A machine for converting two different types of webs of inflatable material to two different types of inflated cushioning material includes an inflation arrangement, a sealing arrangement, and a tensioning device. The inflation arrangement is configured to provide air at a lower pressure to a first web of a first type of inflatable material to inflate the first type of inflatable material, and to provide air at a higher pressure to a second type of inflatable material to inflate the second type of inflatable material. The inflation arrangement includes a guide pin configured to the first and second webs and align the first and second webs on the machine. The sealing arrangement is configured to seal the first type of inflatable material and the second type of inflatable material to create the two different types of inflated cushioning material. The tensioning device is configured to provide a lower tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement, and to provide a higher tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement.

A machine for converting two different types of webs of inflatable material to two different types of inflated cushioning material includes an inflation arrangement, a sealing arrangement, and a tensioning device. The inflation arrangement is configured to provide air at a lower pressure to a first web of a first type of inflatable material to inflate the first type of inflatable material, and to provide air at a higher pressure to a second type of inflatable material to inflate the second type of inflatable material. The inflation arrangement includes a guide pin configured to the first and second webs and align the first and second webs on the machine. The sealing arrangement is configured to seal the first type of inflatable material and the second type of inflatable material to create the two different types of inflated cushioning material. The tensioning device is configured to provide a lower tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement, and to provide a higher tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement.

A medical device includes an elongate body and an inflatable balloon attached to and partially surrounding at least a section of the elongate body. The inflatable balloon is selectively inflatable between a deflated state and an inflated state. Engagement between the balloon and a physiological lumen is provided, in part, by multiple protrusions extending from the inflatable balloon and having various physical and functional characteristics. In certain implementations, the balloon may be configured to exhibit various separation forces by applying different strains to the balloon, such as by varying the degree to which the balloon is inflated or deflated.

A ventilator conduit for a reversible airway device (RAD) is provided. The RAD can include a supra-glottic support member connected to a tubular guide (TG) having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and TG lumen, which extends between the ends and is defined by an inner surface. The RAD can be physically free of an endotracheal tube. The ventilator conduit can include a hollow tube having first and second ends, and a ventilator conduit lumen extending between the ends. The first and second ends can be adapted for connection to a ventilator circuit and insertion into the TG lumen, respectively. At least the second end of the hollow tube can be sized and dimensioned so that, upon insertion into the TG, an outer surface of the second end is brought into direct contact with a portion of the inner surface to form an air-tight seal therebetween.