Speaking valve for a tracheostomy tube
AssigneeAdam Spence Corporation
InventorsAlan H. Shikani, Joseph J. French
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A speaking valve for a tracheostomy tube which is disposed in the first end of the tube protruding from the throat of the patient. The valve has guiding ribs and a retainer to retain a ball within the end of the tube. The flow of air around the ball is unrestricted to reduce the force required to move the ball when the patient inhales and exhales. A spherical chamber is formed in which the ball is disposed. The tracheostomy tube with the valve in the first end presents a low profile.
Claims28
A valve in combination with a tracheostomy tube, the tube having a first open end adapted to protrude from the throat of a patient comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical body having an outer diameter to be snugly received within the first end of the tracheostomy tube,
- a retaining means disposed within the cylindrical body distal from the first open end of the tube,
- a ball disposed within the cylindrical body between the first open end of the tube and the retaining means,
- seating means for the ball near the first open end of the tube,
- guiding means formed within the cylindrical body to maintain the ball substantially centered within the tracheostomy tube wherein air flow about the ball is unrestricted, and
- wherein when the patient exhales, due to the unrestricted air flow, minimum force is required to move the ball against the seating means to seal the opening in the first end of the tube and prevent exhaled air from exiting the tracheostomy tube forcing air through the larynx, and when the patient inhales, the ball is moved away from the seating means in the first open end of the tube and retained by the retaining means wherein air enters the tracheostomy tube.
In a hollow tracheostomy tube adapted to be received in the throat of a patient, the tracheostomy tube having a first end protruding from the neck of the patient and a second end extending into the trachea of the patient below the larynx, the improvement comprising:
- a speaking valve having a cylindrical body having a first end, a flange formed circumferentially about the first end of the body such that the cylindrical body is received in the first end of the tracheostomy tube with a friction fit, the flange in the body holding the valve at the first end of the body,
- a retaining means disposed within the body distal from the flange,
- an opening formed in the flange,
- a ball disposed between the opening and the retaining means,
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart ribs formed in the body of the speaking valve, each rib being approximately perpendicular to the flange, the ball being guided by the ribs, the ball being substantially centered within the tracheostomy tube wherein the linear air flow around the ball is unrestricted and the air moves at constant velocity when the patient inhales and exhales, the ball moving between the opening in the flange and the retaining means.
In a hollow tracheostomy tube adapted to be received in the throat of a patient, the tracheostomy tube having a first end having an opening and protruding from the neck of the patient and a second end extending into the trachea of the patient below the larynx, the improvement comprising:
- a retaining means disposed within the tracheostomy tube near the first end of the tube,
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart ribs formed in the tracheostomy tube near the first end of the tube, the ribs each having a length extending from the opening in the tracheostomy tube to the retaining means,
- a ball disposed on the ribs and guided on the ribs wherein the ball is substantially centered along a center line of the tracheostomy tube, wherein air flow around the ball is unrestricted and the air moves at a constant velocity when the patient inhales and exhales, the ball moving between the opening in the first end of the tracheostomy tube and the retaining means.
In a tracheostomy tube including a cannula provided with a speaking valve assembly having a floating ball therein, the improvement wherein the ball is guided for limited longitudinal movement within the speaking valve assembly, and wherein the air flow around the ball is at a substantial constant velocity, thereby substantially reducing the force required to be exerted by the patient to close the speaking valve assembly during exhalation, and thereby quickly activating the patient's vocal cords for clearer and easier patient speech.
A valve in combination with a tracheostomy tube, the tube having a first open end adapted to protrude from the throat of a patient comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical body having an outer diameter to be snugly received within the first end of the tracheostomy tube,
- a retaining means disposed within the cylindrical body distal from the first open end of the tube, the retaining means being a funnel-shaped member connected to the body disposed approximately along a longitudinal center line through the tracheostomy tube,
- a ball disposed within the cylindrical body between the first open end of the tube and the retaining means,
- seating means for the ball near the first open end of the tube,
- guiding means formed within the cylindrical body to maintain the ball substantially centered within the tracheostomy tube wherein air flow about the ball is unrestricted, and
- wherein when the patient exhales, due to the unrestricted air flow, minimum force is required to move the ball against the seating means to seal the opening in the first end of the tube and prevent exhaled air from exiting the tracheostomy tube forcing air through the larynx, and when the patient inhales, the ball is moved away from the seating means in the first open end of the tube and received in the funnel-shaped retaining means wherein air flows through the tracheostomy tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.