Tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis device and an insertion tool for the same. The device includes a generally cylindrical tapered housing having a bore therethrough and readily removable valve means operably connected to the housing. The housing has a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end. The larger diameter end portion includes an inner threaded surface portion which terminates in an inner grooved surface. The valve means includes a check valve and bearings operably disposed adjacent the inner grooved surface and a retainer having a surface portion threaded in a complimentary manner to the inner threaded surface of the housing for retaining the check valve and bearings within the housing when threaded thereto. The insertion tool comprises a generally cylindrical member having one end of a small enough diameter size and of a sufficient length to enable passing the end through the bore of the device and wherein the end is further characterized to have a rounded aspect, and another end of a larger diameter than the bore of the device to prevent passage therein.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.