TRACHEOSTOMY VALVE

摘要

The invention relates to a tracheostomy valve comprising a valve body (1) having a first inner end (Ia), a second outer end (Ib), and a passageway extending between said ends (Ia, Ib) through the valve body allowing air to flow from and through said first end (Ia) to and through said second end (Ib). The body has a first beam (2a) located in the passageway transversely to the direction of the air flow through said passageway at the outer end and a transverse flexible membrane (7) located within the passageway on the outer surface of said beam (2a). The valve further comprises a cap (4) securable to the outer end (1b) of the valve having an opening with a size largely corresponding to the inner size of the passageway. The opening is defined by a circumferential rim (14). The cap is provided with a second beam (2b) located in parallel along said first beam (2a) and the membrane (7) is held between said first beam (2a) and said second beam (2b). The first beam (2a) and the second beam (2b) are provided with securing means (2, 17) for additionally securing said membrane (7) between said first beam (2a) and said second beam (2b). The rim is provided with a seating surface (5) facing inwardly for supporting the periphery of said membrane (7). The second beam is provided with ribs (13 a - f) extending from said second beam (2b) to said rim (14). The second beam (2b) forms a grid (4a) together with the ribs (13 a - f) and the rim (14). The membrane (7) is preloaded into a closed position towards said seating surface (5). The outer surface of said first beam (2a) is straight and planar. The inner surface of said second beam (2b) is straight and planar. The space between said first (2a) and said second beam (2b) preferably corresponds to the thickness of said membrane (7). The seating surface (5) on each side of said second beam (2b) preferably is progressively and increasingly offset inwardly from a plane along the inner side of said second beam from zero distance at a first end of said beam(2b) to reach a maximum distance, the seating surface (5) then being progressively and decreasingly offset outwardly to zero distance at said plane at the second end of said beam (2b), said seating surface further merging smoothly and continuously with the inner surfaces of said ribs (13a - f).