Tracheostomy valve

A tracheostomy valve for attaching to a tracheal tube, which comprises:

• (a) a valve body having a first end and a second end forming a longitudinal axis of the valve body, with a sidewall and a hole extending between the ends, the hole having a first end and a second end with the first end adjacent the first end of the valve body and the second end adjacent the second end of the valve body and having a first section adjacent the first end, a second section adjacent the second end and a middle section spaced between the first end and the second end and having an inlet in the sidewall spaced apart from the hole;
• (b) a tubular extension having a first end and a second end with a hole extending between the ends and mounted on the second end to the first end of the hole of the valve body such that the hole of the tubular extension is aligned with the first section of the hole of the valve body wherein the tubular extension is configured to extend into an open end of the tracheal tube;
• (c) a flapper valve positioned in the second section of the hole of the valve body and having a first portion with a second portion flexibly connected to the first portion wherein the second portion is of a size as to be able to extend into the middle section of the hole of the valve body;
• (d) a valve clamp having a first end and a second end and positioned in the second section of the hole of the valve body such that the first end is adjacent the flapper valve with a hole extending between the ends and having an inlet extending between a perimeter of the valve clamp and the hole;
• and
• (e) a cover connected to the valve body adjacent the second end of the valve body such that the cover holds the valve clamp and flapper valve in the second section of the hole of the valve body wherein in use during inhalation, gases flow into the inlet in the sidewall of the valve body from the first side of the valve body to the second side of the valve body through the inlet in the valve clamp into the hole in the valve clamp, through the flapper valve into the hole of the tubular extension and into the tracheal tube and wherein during exhalation, the flapper valve prevents gases from exiting the tracheal tube through the tracheostomy valve.

A method for enabling a user having a tracheal tube to breath and speak which comprises the steps of:

• (a) providing a trachea valve having a valve body having a first end and a second end with a hole extending between the ends and having an inlet spaced apart from the hole;
• a tubular extension mounted on the first end of the valve body and extending outward from the first end in a direction opposite the second end and having a hole in fluid communication with the hole of the valve body;
• a flapper valve positioned adjacent the hole of the valve body on the second end of the valve body and having an outer portion and an inner portion connected together so that the inner portion is able to move while the outer portion remains stationary;
• a valve clamp having a first end and a second end with a hole extending between the ends and positioned such that the first end of the valve clamp is adjacent the flapper valve and the hole of the valve clamp is in fluid communication with the flapper valve;
• and a cover positioned adjacent the second end of the valve clamp for connecting to the valve body to hold the valve clamp and the flapper valve adjacent the hole of the valve body;
• (b) connecting the trachea valve to an opening of the tracheal tube;
• (c) inhaling such that gases adjacent the trachea valve move into the trachea valve through the inlet of the valve body into the hole in the valve clamp through the flapper valve into the hole of the valve body and into the opening of the tracheal tube;
• and
• (d) exhaling such that gases in the lungs move through the trachea tube into the hole of the valve body and are prevented from exiting the trachea valve by the flapper valve such that the gases move to a mouth of the user such as to allow a user to speak.