| 摘要 |
A device (20) and a method for insertion of the device (20) into a puncture (26) in the tracheoesophageal wall (28). The device (20) includes a cylindrical body (22) and a flexible first flange (32) provided on an outside surface of the body (22). The flange (32) has a use orientation in which it projects generally outwardly from the outside surface of the body (22), and an insertion orientation in which it is resiliently folded toward the axis of the body (22). A retainer (44), (144) retains the flange (32) in its resiliently folded orientation. The retainer (44), (144) is removable to permit deployment of the flange (32) to its use orientation. A tool (80) for use in placing the device (20) comprises a cylindrical passageway having a cross section slightly larger than the cross section of the cylindrical body (22), but smaller than the flange (32). The passageway has an open end (84) for receiving the device (20). The edge of the open end (84) causes the flange (32) to be resiliently folded toward an axis of the body (22) as the device (20) is inserted into the passageway. A retainer (44), (144) for retaining the flange (32) in its resiliently folded orientation is received at the open end (84). The device (20) is ejected from the passageway through the open end (84) with the flange (32) retained in its resiliently folded orientation by the retainer (44), (144). <IMAGE> |
