Abstract: A cuffed tracheal tube has a shaft (10) with an inner component (30) having an inflation lumen (23) extending along a rib (33) along the outside of the component. The rib (33) terminates a short distance rearwardly of the patient end (14) of the inner component. The inflation lumen (23) is closed by an outer layer (51) applied over the inner component (30) and covering the patient end of the rib. Two closely spaced openings (54) through the rib (33) are spaced in the inflatable region of a silicone sealing cuff (13) secured around the patient end of the shaft.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube flange (13) of a liquid silicone material has openings (14) towards opposite ends for receiving ends of a neck strap. The openings (14) are reinforced with overmoulded inserts (137, 138) of a heat cured silicone material having a similar hardness to that of the flange material. The inserts (137, 138) have an outwardly-projecting ledge (144) between their ends.

Abstract: The neck flange 3 of a tracheostomy tube is of a soft plastics such as silicone and has neck tie or suture openings 35 at opposite ends reinforced to prevent damage to the flange. The openings are reinforced by tubular inserts 38 of a harder plastics. The patient end of each insert has an enlarged, radially extending head 41 sitting flush in an enlarged recess 43 around the patient end of each opening. The opposite end of each insert also has an enlarged head 42 overlapping the flange but formed after the insert has been inserted in the flange. The opposite end head 42 may be heat formed from the end of the insert or may be a separate component clipped onto the end of the insert.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has a machine end coupling (2) of a relatively hard plastics and formed with a retaining ring structure formation (23) at its patient end. This is joined with a tubular shaft (1) of a softer plastics, such as silicone, to form a subassembly (7) y a moulded interconnection of the machine end of the shaft about the retaining formation (23). An enlarged boss (12) at the rear end of the shaft (1) forms a forwardly facing wall (15). The tube also includes a moulded neck flange (5) of a relatively soft plastics with a central collar (50) having an internal, rearwardly facing wall (59). The boss (12) on the subassembly (7) is bonded into the collar (5) with the wall (15) on the boss abutting the wall (59) on the flange (5).

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly comprises an outer tracheostomy tube (1) and an inner cannula (20) fitted in the tube. The machine end of the inner cannula has a collapsible region (22) formed by a plurality of curved or bent struts (26) extending parallel with one another between a machine end collar (28) and a patient end collar (27). The struts (26) carry outwardly-projecting catches (23) arranged to engage a rib (24) extending around the inside of a hub (16) at the machine end of the tube and thereby resist removal of the cannula from the tube. The inner cannula (20) is removed by twisting the machine end collar (28) so that the struts (26) collapse inwardly and thereby disengage the catches (23) from the rib (24).

Abstract: An inner cannula (2) for a tracheostomy tube (1) has a resilient catch (23) at its machine end. The catch has a two angular teeth (27) and (28) projecting outwardly towards its free end. One tooth (27) is shaped and positioned to engage in a groove (40) on the inside of a hub (16) at the machine end of the tube when the inner cannula is fully inserted. The other tooth (28) is smaller and is spaced rearwardly along the catch. The hub (16) also has a shallow rounded bead (44) projecting inwardly and spaced a short distance to the rear of the groove (40). When the inner cannula (2) is pulled out of the tube (1) the smaller tooth (28) engages the bead (44) on the hub (16) causing the catch (23) to deflect inwardly. In this way, the larger tooth (27) is displaced slightly out of the groove (40) making it easier for it to ramp out of the groove and allow the cannula to be withdrawn with little additional pulling force.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly comprises an outer tracheostomy tube (1) and an inner cannula (20) fitted in the tube. The machine end of the inner cannula has a collapsible region (22) formed by a plurality of curved or bent struts (26) extending parallel with one another between a machine end collar (28) and a patient end collar (27). The struts (26) carry outwardly-projecting catches (23) arranged to engage a rib (24) extending around the inside of a hub (16) at the machine end of the tube and thereby resist removal of the cannula from the tube. The inner cannula (20) is removed by twisting the machine end collar (28) so that the struts (26) collapse inwardly and thereby disengage the catches (23) from the rib (24).

Abstract: A suction control valve for a closed system suction catheter has a housing with an inlet bore and an outlet bore inclined at an angle to the inlet bore and opening into the bore via an aperture. A valve member comprises a rod member and a manually actuable plate extending longitudinally in an external channel along the housing between two walls. The rod member supports a resilient sleeve and its forward end is urged, by a spring, to engage a tapered seal within the housing forwardly of the aperture, thereby blocking flow through the valve. The valve is opened by sliding the plate rearwardly so that the valve member moves rearwardly of the aperture. A locking cap can be twisted to prevent movement of the valve member from its closed position.

Abstract: A suction control valve for a closed system suction catheter has a housing with an inlet bore and an outlet bore inclined at an angle to the inlet bore and opening into the bore via an aperture. A valve member comprises a rod member and a manually actuable plate extending longitudinally in an external channel along the housing between two walls. The rod member supports a resilient sleeve and its forward end is urged, by a spring, to engage a tapered seal within the housing forwardly of the aperture, thereby blocking flow through the valve. The valve is opened by sliding the plate rearwardly so that the valve member moves rearwardly of the aperture. A locking cap can be twisted to prevent movement of the valve member from its closed position.