Laryngeal prosthesis
US4044402A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1975 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M16/0006
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A patient subjected to laryngectomy is provided surgically with a fistula intended to serve as a pseudo-glottis, and a tracheostome, these two tracts being sited in the midline region of the neck surface. A laryngeal prosthesis for the patient is of generally symmetrical form comprising a hollowed main body with two external tubes to respectively engage the surgically formed tracts, the fistular tube being sufficiently short to avoid inhibiting the psuedo-glottis function. The prosthesis body is apertured to provide a valve function communicating the tracheal tube with atmosphere for respiration, or with the fistular tube for phonation. This function can be effected by a normally open flap valve closable by a first high pressure in the body, and a normally closed blow-out valve may then be appropriate to open at second higher pressure to remove secretions, together with a further normally open valve to close the fistular tube at the higher pressure. Also, a non-return valve is normally appropriate in the fistular tube, and this, or a similar valve, can serve as a tone generator if necessary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.