Abstract: An improved flip-flop fluid logic circuit device is made from a body block having a through bore and adapted to receive a pair of identical inserts, a composite valve member in between the inserts, pressure responsive diaphragm members for engaging the opposite ends of the valve member to drive the valve between extreme positions within the bore and means for sealing the ends of the bore to retain the operating mechanism. A manual override button is included at each end of the bore to operate the composite valve member.

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in a control valve adapted to be used by a tracheotomy patient or in a laryngeal prosthesis. In one form, the control valve has a housing provided with a control opening, and a flapper mounted within the housing and operable to move toward and away from the control opening. In this form, the improvement includes a thumbscrew mounted to penetrate the housing to engage the flapper, such that the thumbscrew may be selectively rotated to vary the operational characteristics of the valve. In another form, particularly adapted to be used by a tracheotomy patient, the control valve is provided with a first control opening communicating with ambient atmosphere and a second control opening adapted to communicate with the trachea of a patient.

Abstract: A universal logic body block includes a number of identical cavities having accompanying passageways of identical number and pattern. Each single cavity forms the basic housing for installation of various valve components which may perform a desired logic function AND, MEM, DIF, OR, NOT or TIM. A primary universal insert fitted within an above-described cavity of the universal logic body block in combinaton with various other valve elements will provide an AND, MEMORY, DIFFERENTIATOR or NOT logic function. A universal valve member may be fitted within a cavity in a first manner in combination with other components, to provide the logic functions, NOT and DIFF. The universal valve member may be fitted within a cavity in a second manner in combination with other components to provide the logic functions AND and MEMORY.

Abstract: A universal logic body block includes a number of identical cavities having accompanying passageways of identical number and pattern. Each single cavity forms the basic housing for installation of various components to perform logic functions AND, OR, NOT and TIM. A primary universal insert fitted within the above-described cavities of the universal logic body block in combination with various other valve elements will provide an AND, or NOT logic function. A universal secondary seat may be fitted within a cavity in one manner in combination with other components, to provide the logic functions AND, OR and NOT. Additional specialized inserts are provided for insertion into a cavity of the universal logic body block in combination with various valve elements to provide the TIM logic function or the OR function. Various logic circuits can be formed in one block by means of connections between separate logic devices.

Abstract: A laryngeal prosthesis for a post-laryngectomy patient includes a control valve, a fitting, and a conduit operatively communicating the control valve and fitting. The control valve has a housing defining a chamber therewithin. The housing is provided with a tracheal opening adapted to communicate with the patient's trachea through a tracheal fistula, a diversion opening, and a control opening surrounded by an internal seat. A flapper is arranged within the housing to move toward and away from the seat. The fitting includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening adapted to communicate with the patient's hypopharynx through a hypopharyngeal fistula. The conduit communicates the diversion opening with the fitting inlet opening. The prosthesis enables the patient to inhale, exhale and cough through the control opening, and to speak alaryngeally by selectively diverting exhaled air from the tracheal fistula to the hypopharyngeal fistula.