US 4,538,607 A · Tracheostomy valve

Abstract

A permanent tracheostoma is often necessary in patients with respiratory diseases such as severe bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis in order to reduce dead space. Another group of patients who require a permanent tracheostoma are those with laryngeal stenoses or bilateral vocal cord pareses whose general condition makes them unsuitable candidates for more advanced surgical procedures. The invention provides a two-way tracheostoma valve adjustable for either inspiration and expiration or for inspiration only in which case it also serves as a speech valve. The valve comprises three main elements: a cylindrical housing, a complementary shaped cover, and a disc-like-element disposed within said housing and cover and arranged for displacement therein. The cover has a circular end having an off-center opening forming an air inlet/outlet or inlet only depending on the position of the cover.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A tracheostomy valve, comprising

a housing having an open first end and an opposite second end, means for mounting the opposite second end of the housing to a tracheal cannula,
a cover movably mounted on the housing over said open first end to define a chamber therebetween and adjustable from a first position to at least a second position,
a disc-like-element within the housing and cover and arranged for reciprocation therebetween,
an air inlet/outlet formed in the cover communicating said chamber with the surrounding atmosphere, said cover including means wherein said inlet/outlet is closed by said disc in the first position of the cover and for allowing a controlled air flow in said second position,
said mounting means including air-passage-forming-means on said housing for permanent communication between the tracheal cannula and said chamber formed by the housing and the cover.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tracheostomy valve

Life of this patent

Tracheostomy valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16