One child and one adult Gilston Humidifier T-Piece, or, 'The Gilston Cigar', used for weaning people of mechnical ventilation, made by Vickers Medical Limited, 1969

Anaesthesiologist and intensive care specialist, Alan Gilston (1928-2005) developed this t-shaped attachment for nebulisers and humidifiers to provide oxygen-rich air through a tracheotomy – a tube inserted into a person’s windpipe to help them breathe. The design prevented people swallowing any vomit. Prior to this a mask was used, meaning it was difficult to ensure a clear airway. The tube could be re-used if cleaned and sterilised. Publishingg his design in the medical journal, The Lancet, in 1961 first prototypes were made by the company Oxygenaire.

Alan Gilston was the anaesthetist during the UK’s first heart transplant. He founded the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine after forming the World Congress on Intensive Care in 1974.