Antimicrobial indwelling voice prosthesis

摘要

A voice prosthesis for conducting air between the trachea and oesophagus of a patient comprising, in combination: (a) a tubular body portion having a central lumen; (b) a valve seat disposed within the central lumen of the body portion, the valve seat having a second central lumen; and (c) a valve mounted on an end of the valve seat and operable for intermittently sealing and opening the second central lumen. The valve seat is made from a biocompatible elastomer having an antimicrobial material substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the biocompatible elastomer. The valve seat extends the life of the prosthesis by retarding the growth of micro-organisms.