A speech valve, a tool for facilitating insertion of a speech valve and a tool for holding a speech valve

摘要

A tool (106) for facilitating insertion of a speech valve (10) with a flexible retention flange (56) into a fistula between the trachea and the oesophagus of a human patient, having a wall (108) curved to define a passage (116) having opposed open first and second passage ends and an axis extending therebetween, said wall (108) having an external surface (118) insertable into a fistula between the said trachea and oesophagus and defining a slot (110) which extends from the passage (116) to the external surface (118) of the wall (108), said slot (110) having an opening at the first passage end extending from the first passage end to at least a part of the way to the second passage end and at least a portion of the said slot (110) progresses angularly around the said axis as it progresses from the first passage end towards the second passage end.