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OwnerSam C. Chan, Nathan C. Griffith +2inventors
InventorsSam C. Chan, Nathan C. Griffith, Michael A. Kenowski, James F. Schumacher
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There is provided an improved tracheostomy tube having a proximal section over-molded by a distal section, where the sections have a differential in the degree of radio-opacity. The radio-opaque material allows a medical professional to determine the location of the tube in the trachea non-invasively, using an x-ray or similar device. In addition, aligning the top (proximal end) of the balloon with the transition between the distal and proximal sections of the tube allows a medical professional to know the exact location of the balloon. The length of the proximal section may be set so that the balloon is place in a pre-determined position so that the transition point between the distal and proximal sections may be used as a position indicator.
A catheter comprising a proximal section over-molded by a distal section, wherein the sections have a differential in a degree of radio-opacity.
A tracheostomy tube comprising a proximal section over-molded by a distal section, wherein the distal section contains from 10 to 40 weight percent of barium sulfate, said proximal section contains at least 5 weight percent less of barium sulfate than said distal section, and said proximal section is relatively less flexible than said distal section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.