Hinged tracheostomy tube obturator

摘要

In combination, a tracheostomy tube including a curved cannula lying substantially within a given plane and formed with a non-constant radius, and an obturator means insertable into the cannula for guiding intubation of the tracheostomy tube into the cannula. The obturator comprises a single piece member formed of a resilient and flexible material and curvable upon insertion within the cannula with a non-constant radius lying within the given plane, the member having proximal and distal ends and a shaft extending therebetween, the shaft over a substantial portion of its length being dimensioned such as to impart sufficient rigidity both in the direction substantially perpendicular and also substantially parallel to the given plane. The shaft also includes a first flexible portion being of substantially rectangular cross-section having a width and a thickness, the width as measured perpendicular to the given plane substantially exceeding its thickness. The shaft at the flexible portion is easily flexible along its length in the given plane of its curvature but is substantially stiff in a direction perpendicular to the given plane because of the greater width of its cross-section.