Adjustable tracheostoma valve
OwnerBrian Kamradtinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.
Claims13
A tracheostoma valve adapted to control the flow of air through a tracheostoma, the tracheostoma valve comprising:
- a first body including (i) a base plate, (ii) an inner sleeve extending from the base plate to a distal end spaced apart from the base plate, the inner sleeve at least partially defining a passageway through the first body, and (iii) an outer sleeve extending from the base plate and arranged radially outward from and concentrically with the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve including an internally-threaded surface,
- a second body including (i) a rim surrounding a bore that is aligned with the passageway of the first body and (ii) a cylindrical barrel extending away from the rim toward the base plate, the cylindrical barrel including an externally-threaded surface that engages the internally-threaded surface of the outer sleeve, wherein the second body is movable relative to the first body to advance the bore toward and away from the passageway, and
- an elastic membrane including an outer edge fixed to the distal end of the inner sleeve, wherein the elastic membrane is deflectable between (i) a first position in which a central section of the elastic membrane is spaced apart from the bore of the second body to permit the passage of air through the bore and (ii) a second position in which the central section of the elastic membrane covers the bore to block the passage of air through the bore.
A tracheostoma valve adapted to control the flow of air through a tracheostoma, the tracheostoma valve comprising:
- a cap including (i) a first plate formed to include an opening and (ii) a barrel extending from the first plate and including an externally-threaded surface,
- a housing including (i) a second plate, (ii) an outer sleeve extending from the second plate and having an internally-threaded surface that engages the externally-threaded surface of the cap, and (iii) an inner sleeve extending from the second plate to an inner rim spaced apart from the second plate, the inner sleeve positioned concentrically with the outer sleeve and defining a passageway leading to the opening and, and
- an elastic membrane having a central section and an outer edge, the outer edge being coupled to the inner rim of the inner sleeve of the housing, the elastic membrane being deflectable under pressure to advance the central section over the opening to prevent the passage of air through the opening,
- wherein, when the cap is at a first position relative to the housing, the elastic membrane is configured to deflect a first amount when a first pressure is applied to the elastic membrane to advance the central section over the opening to prevent the passage of air through the opening, and, when the cap is at a second position relative to the housing, the elastic membrane is configured to deflect a second amount when a second pressure is applied to the elastic membrane to advance the central section over the opening to prevent the passage of air through the opening, the second amount being greater than the first amount, and the second pressure being greater than the first pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.