BI-FUNCTIONAL IN-LINE PHONATION VALVE

摘要

An in-line phonation valve system (10) including a valve body (12) having first and second ends (14, 16) through which gas passes into and out of the valve body (12). The first end (14) is connectable to a breathing tube connected to a patient's airway, for passage of gas between the breathing tube and the valve body (12). The second end (16) of the valve body (12) is connectable to a gas line. A diaphragm-valve assembly (28) is provided which includes a one-way valve (30) having a phonation position permitting gas to pass through said valve body (12) toward said patient when said patient inhales. The one-way valve (30) in the phonation position substantially prevents gas from passing through the valve body (12) when the patient exhales. The diaphragm-valve assembly (28) is movable out of the phonation position, so as to permit substantially free flow of gas through the valve body (12) both toward and away from the patient when the patient respectively inhales and exhales. The diaphragm-valve assembly (28) is movable from the phonation position without disconnecting the first end (14) from the breathing tube and the second end (16) from the gas line. Preferably, the diaphragm-valve assembly (28) is a removable cartridge which is replaceable with a free-flowing ring cartridge insert (42).