Adjustable and biased-open unidirectional speaking valve

摘要

A speaking valve for management of a patient's airway comprising a body rotatably and removably attachable to a tracheotomy tube, the body having a first end communicable with the tracheotomy tube and a second end distal from the first end, an offset opening formed in the second end, a ramp disposed within the body, a ball having a diameter disposed within the chamber, the ball being adapted to be guided up and down the ramp and able to partially close the opening in the second end of the body, and the body and hence the chamber therein, at the option and control of the patient, wherein the ball is adapted to move up and down the ramp opening and partially closing the opening in the second end of the body and, as selected, exhalation by the patient proceeds through the patient's upper respiratory system and facilitates speaking by the patient.

主权项

1. A speaking valve for management of a patient's airway, the speaking valve comprising:
a body attachable to a tracheotomy tube at a first end, the body having a stepped chamber formed therein, the body having a second end distal from the first end, the first end having a frontal opening formed offset from a center of the first end, the body having at least one fenestration formed therein extending to connect the chamber to an exterior of the body; a ball movable within the chamber and sized to close the frontal opening; and a slidable cover coupled with the body, the slidable cover being C-shaped and positioned to selectably cover the at least one fenestration.