Breath intake valve for a tracheostomy tube
US8800565B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/581
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A breath intake valve is connected to a tracheostomy tube inserted into a patient's trachea. The inner end of the valve attaches to the tracheostomy tube. An apertured disk endpiece with an O-ring around its circumference is releasably set into the outer end of the tubular valve body. A floppy diaphragm overlying the inner face of the disk endpiece functions as an intake valve to allow patient inhalation and air intake, and as a check valve to block patient exhalation, thereby to redirect it to the patient's larynx, sinuses, and mouth for normal speech. The O-ring gives way to forceful patient exhalation to release the disk endpiece from the tubular valve body. The disk endpiece is tethered to the breath intake valve body to prevent misplacement of the endpiece after such a release. The breath intake valve is itself likewise tethered to the tracheostomy tube to prevent its misplacement after any disconnection. The breath intake valve also includes a whistle to produce audible signal when exhalation is forceful.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.