Tube introducers and assemblies

A tube introducer adapted for insertion within the bore of a medico-surgical tube, characterised in that the introducer is selectively configurable from a first state where it is removable from the machine end of the tube to a second state where it supports the tube during insertion into the body.

A tube introducer adapted for insertion within the bore of a medico-surgical tube from the machine end of the tube, characterised in that the introducer has at least a region along its length towards its patient end with an external dimension that can be selectively changed from a first dimension where it enables the introducer to be slid into and out of the tube to a second, larger dimension where the outside of a part at least of the region can grip the inside of the tube to resist relative movement between the introducer and the tube.

A tube introducer having a patient end adapted for insertion in the bore of a medico-surgical tube to extend substantially to the patient end of the tube and a machine end adapted to project externally beyond the machine end of the tube, characterised in that the introducer is arranged selectively to grip the inside of the tube close to the patient end of the tube such that the tube and introducer can be inserted into a body cavity by pushing the machine end of the introducer so as to pull the tube into the body cavity from its patient end.

An assembly of a medico-surgical tube and a tube introducer adapted to be selectively configurable from a first state where it is removable from the machine end of the tube to a second state where it supports the tube during insertion into a body, wherein the introducer is inserted within the tube with the patient end of the introducer protruding at the patient end of the tube and the machine end of the introducer accessible at the machine end of the tube.