Abstract: An apparatus for conserving oxygen delivered to a patient including a flat annular housing with an interior chamber having an outlet and inlet port, with the outlet port affixed to a flow check valve. The interior chamber is divided by a flexible diaphragm with the diaphragm and one wall of the housing defining an oxygen storage reservoir which communicates with the outlet and inlet ports. The inlet port directs oxygen from an oxygen tank into the reservoir, and the outlet port directs oxygen through the check valve to the patient. During inhalation, the patient inhales oxygen from the storage chamber through the check valve, thus collapsing the diaphragm. During exhalation the check valve closes, preventing introduction of potentially infectious exhaled air into the system and allowing oxygen to accumulate within the oxygen storage chamber instead of being wasted and expelled during exhalation.

Abstract: A respirator hose support pad for tracheostomy patients, and method of use thereof for providing strain relief, and for reducing respirator machine induced intermittent hose movement, vibration, and fluid passage from the respirator hose into the patient. The support pad has a hook and loop fastener structure on the central bottom surface for releasible attachment to a patient's garment in the upper central chest area. The terminal oppositely disposed ends of the pad each have an extending flange which serve as handles. The pad additionally has a detachable flexible belt on the top surface for adjustable loose securement of the respirator hose onto the top of the pad. When the belt is properly affixed over a respirator hose, the hose is loosely retained between the pad and belt, and may slide back and forth across the pad to prevent excessive pulling on the tracheostomy tube as the patient moves.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly which includes a short, curved outer cannula affixed to a neck plate with strap, and a removable inner cannula having an affixed inflatable endotracheal cuff. When in use, the endotracheal cuff of the inner cannula is positioned beyond the terminal end of the outer cannula within the trachea. In a slightly varied embodiment of the invention, an accessory oxygen attachement is included for attachment to the outer cannula with the inner cannula and endotracheal cuff removed. The oxygen attachment is sized for releasable attachment over the outer exposed open end of the short outer cannula. The oxygen attachment is comprised a solid core plug having a narrow flexible air line positioned therethrough. The flexible air line is structured for attachment to an oxygen hose from an oxygen supply.