A modular production system including a plurality of production modules connected in a linear series to form a production tunnel, and collectively defining a production channel, and wherein at least one fluid inlet port defined along the production tunnel, said inlet port is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, whereby influx of fluid from said fluid source through said fluid inlet port acts to maintain the fluid pressure within the production channel at a higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure outside of the production tunnel; and wherein one of said production modules positioned between said proximal-most and distal-most production modules comprises a depyrogenator and/or sterilization module, comprising a transparent tubular body, and an irradiation source positioned external to said transparent tubular body, said irradiation source capable of heating the internal environment of the depyrogenation and/or sterilization module to a temperature sufficient to depyrogenate or sterilize articles passing therethrough, and associated processes.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a warming system. The warming system includes a light device having a light source configured to be positioned proximate to a patient support having a patient support surface. The light source can also be configured to generate infrared radiation. The warming system can also include a flexible sheet having a first side configured to reflect at least some of the generated infrared radiation from the light device toward a portion of the patient support surface.

A catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures in a vascular lesion within or adjacent a vessel wall, includes a catheter and a superheating system. The catheter can advance to the vascular lesion. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon coupled to the elongate shaft. The balloon includes a balloon wall. The balloon moves between a collapsed configuration and a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site. The superheating system can heat a balloon fluid within the balloon rapidly enough to achieve spontaneous vaporization of the balloon fluid and to generate inertial bubbles and acoustic pressure waves. The superheating system can include a first light guide extending along the elongate shaft. The first light guide is in optical communication with a light source at a proximal portion of the first light guide.

A far infrared electrically and thermally conductive electrode device includes an electrode set and a connection assembly, through which the electrode set is connected to the case of a host in a wireless way. The electrode set is both electrically and thermally conductive. The method for making the electrode of the electrode device includes steps of disposing an electrode protecting layer on a first side of a far infrared heating layer; disposing an electrode insulating layer on a second side of the far infrared heating layer; disposing an electrode layer on the surface of the electrode insulating layer; and covering the electrode layer with a conducting gel layer. Through the above-mentioned structure, the electrode set emits far infrared rays and generates heat when the host supplies power. The electrode set becomes conductive to simulate nerves of different layers of tissue under a person's skin.

A modular production system including a plurality of production modules connected in a linear series to form a production tunnel, and collectively defining a production channel, and wherein at least one fluid inlet port defined along the production tunnel, said inlet port is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, whereby influx of fluid from said fluid source through said fluid inlet port acts to maintain the fluid pressure within the production channel at a higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure outside of the production tunnel; and wherein one of said production modules positioned between said proximal-most and distal-most production modules comprises a depyrogenator and/or sterilization module, comprising a transparent tubular body, and an irradiation source positioned external to said transparent tubular body, said irradiation source capable of heating the internal environment of the depyrogenation and/or sterilization module to a temperature sufficient to depyrogenate or sterilize articles passing therethrough.

A modular production system including a plurality of production modules connected in a linear series to form a production tunnel, and collectively defining a production channel, and wherein at least one fluid inlet port defined along the production tunnel, said inlet port is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, whereby influx of fluid from said fluid source through said fluid inlet port acts to maintain the fluid pressure within the production channel at a higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure outside of the production tunnel; and wherein one of said production modules positioned between said proximal-most and distal-most production modules comprises a depyrogenator and/or sterilization module, comprising a transparent tubular body, and an irradiation source positioned external to said transparent tubular body, said irradiation source capable of heating the internal environment of the depyrogenation and/or sterilization module to a temperature sufficient to depyrogenate or sterilize articles passing therethrough.

This invention relates to a humidifier for a respiratory assistance device, a respiratory assistance device comprising a humidifier and related methods and apparatus. The invention particularly provides arrangements for generating vapour by impinging light on metallic and/or carbon based material, particularly in the form of nanoparticles.

A catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures in a vascular lesion within or adjacent a vessel wall, includes a catheter and a superheating system. The catheter can advance to the vascular lesion. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon coupled to the elongate shaft. The balloon includes a balloon wall. The balloon moves between a collapsed configuration and a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site. The superheating system can heat a balloon fluid within the balloon rapidly enough to achieve spontaneous vaporization of the balloon fluid and to generate inertial bubbles and acoustic pressure waves. The superheating system can include a first light guide extending along the elongate shaft. The first light guide is in optical communication with a light source at a proximal portion of the first light guide. The first light guide can include a first light window at a distal portion of the first light guide. The first light guide can be an optical fiber and the light source can be a laser.

An apparatus for a sauna includes a first and second heating element. The first heating element has a first conductive path and is coupled to pass a current. The second heating element has a second conductive path that runs adjacent to the first conductive path. The second heating element substantially blocks an electric field produced within the first heating element. The first conductive path is coupled to redirect the current to the second conductive path and set up complementary magnetic fields between the first and second heating elements.

A humidification apparatus for a respiratory assistance device is provided wherein the humidification apparatus is configured such that, in use, light impinges on a humidification material to generate localised heating of liquid molecules around the humidification material to generate vapour. A respiratory assistance device comprising a humidifier and related methods and apparatus are also provided. Arrangements are provided for generating vapour by impinging light on a humidification material, wherein, in some embodiments, the humidification material comprises a metallic and/or carbon based material, particularly in the form of nanoparticles.