Control valves for tracheotomy patient or laryngeal prosthesis
US4040428A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 1976 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7875
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides improvements in a control valve adapted to be used by a tracheotomy patient or in a laryngeal prosthesis. In one form, the control valve has a housing provided with a control opening, and a flapper mounted within the housing and operable to move toward and away from the control opening. In this form, the improvement includes a thumbscrew mounted to penetrate the housing to engage the flapper, such that the thumbscrew may be selectively rotated to vary the operational characteristics of the valve. In another form, particularly adapted to be used by a tracheotomy patient, the control valve is provided with a first control opening communicating with ambient atmosphere and a second control opening adapted to communicate with the trachea of a patient. In this form, the flapper is operatively mounted within the housing and is adapted to selectively close or pass through these control openings to enable the patient to normally inhale or exhale through his mouth or nose, but to enable the patient to cough or gasp for air directly through the control valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.