A speech valve
AssigneeKapitex Healthcare Limited
InventorsIan David WORTHINGTON, Alexander James BRIERLEY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A speaking valve for use with a tracheostomy and voice prosthesis having a valve element movable by finger pressure between a first position in which the valve allows air to pass through it and a second position in which the passage of air is substantially resisted or prevented. A biasing element such as foam or a spring is provided to bias the valve element towards the first position when no finger pressure is applied. The valve element is arranged such that expiration through the valve at a rate in excess of predetermined rate causes it to move into a third position in which air resistance through the valve is less than when the valve element is in its first position. This allows for air release if e.g. a user should cough.
Claims4
A speaking valve to allow inspiration and controllable expiration through a tracheostoma, said speaking valve comprising:
- a valve element movable by finger pressure of a user between a first position in which said speaking valve allows air to pass through it and a second position in which the passage of air through said speaking valve is substantially resisted or prevented;
- a biasing element to bias said valve element towards said first position when no finger pressure is applied;
- wherein said valve element is arranged such that expiration through the valve at a rate in excess of predetermined rate causes said valve element to move into a third position in which air resistance through the valve is less than when the valve element is in its first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.