Abstract: An HME device (1) has an outer housing (10) in two parts removably connected with one another by bayonet lugs (17) on one part (13) inserted in bayonet slots (48) on the other part (14) and twisted. An HME unit (50) has a tapered coupling at one end fitted on an internal port (45) in one part (14) so that it can be removed and replaced by separating the two parts of the housing. The outside of the HME unit (50) is spaced from the inside of the housing (10) by an annular bypass channel (55). A selector (31) has a rotatable plate that can be moved to cover either the passage through the HME unit or the bypass channel.

Abstract: A closed system suction catheter (3) is connected with a tracheal tube (1) by means of a Y-shape connector (2) having one port (202) connected with the tracheal tube, a second port (203) connected with a breathing tube (200) and a third port (204) connected with the closed system suction catheter. The third port of the connector includes a normally-closed flap valve (320) that is opened by insertion of the patient end fitting (306) of the closed system suction catheter and closes when the suction catheter is removed from the connector so that ventilation pressure is maintained and contamination is prevented.

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: An HME device has a housing (10) containing an HME element (25). The device has a first gas-flow passage through the device via the HME element (25) and a second gas-flow passage that by-passes the HME element. Flow is switched between the first or second flow passage by a pivoted shutter (30) that can be displaced by a rotatable knob (32).

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: A cuffed tracheostomy tube has a shaft (10) with an inflation lumen (16) extending longitudinally along the shaft and opening at its patient end into a sealing cuff (13). The tube also includes a reinforcement member provided by a metal wire (25) wound into two sets of loops (26A) and (26B) of different widths. The loops (26) extend part way around the shaft (10) up to but without crossing the inflation lumen (16).

Abstract: An oscillatory respiratory therapy device 100 has an opening 8 to atmosphere through which air passes to the user. The device has a visual indicator 20 including a paper indicator 25 and a dye reservoir 29 mounted at the opening. Before use, the opening 8 is covered by a removable cover strip 21 that prevents air flowing through the opening. The cover strip 21 is attached to the dye reservoir 29 so that the reservoir is pulled against the paper indicator 25 when the cover strip is removed, thereby the device to be used. This causes dye to flow gradually from the reservoir 29 and spread outwardly across the paper indicator 25, which is marked to indicate duration of use.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for fitting to the machine end of a tracheostomy tube (10) includes both an HME and a speaking valve (30). The HME includes two exchange elements (28, 29) at opposite ends of a housing (23) extending laterally of a coupling (25) for fitting on the tube. The speaking valve has a cylindrical sleeve (31) extending across the housing midway along its length and in line with the tube. The sleeve is rotatable about its axis and has two openings (36) on opposite sides that can be aligned with the exchange elements of the HME to allow gas to flow from the tube through the exchange elements, bypassing the speaking valve. When the patient wishes to speak, he twists and rotates the speaking valve to block flow to the exchange elements and instead to allow air to be inhaled via the valve.

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 (1) has a shaft (10, 10) including a helical reinforcing wire (30) overmoulded by a plastics material, such as of silicone. The wire has an indented path (31) traversing its turns in which is received a small-bore tube (32) so that this does not project above the surface of the shaft, or only forms a small projection. The small-bore tube (32) acts as an inflation line and opens at its patient end (33) within a sealing cuff (13). The machine end of the tube (32) is terminated by a combined inflation indicator and connector (36).

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube comprises a skeletal frame (10) of a relatively stiff plastics covered by an overmoulding (11) of a relatively soft, transparent plastics. The frame (10) includes a portion extending along the shaft (1) of the tube and formed by longitudinal struts (16) linked by spaced ribs (20). The shaft portion of the frame (10) is formed integrally with a portion extending along a flange (5) of the tube, which includes apertures (6) for receiving the ends of a neck strap, and apertures (41) for use with sutures. At its patient end (2) the tube has a soft tip (51) formed by an extension of the overmoulding (11) beyond the patient end of the frame (10). At the machine end (3) of the tube the frame (10) is formed with a connector (4).

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an oscillating expiratory therapy device and pressure and flow sensors in the patient inlet connected to supply signals to a processor. The processor includes artificial intelligence software to correlate the output signals with prescribed values and control a feedback device that prompts the patient accordingly to adjust use of the device as necessary. The feedback device may be of a visual, audible or tangible kind. The processor may also automatically adjust a setting dial of the therapy device by means of an actuator.

Abstract: An oscillatory PEP therapy device (100) has valve (10) mounted at the end of a rocker arm (12) such that the valve is opened and closed during expiration through the device, thereby causing displacement of the rocker arm up and down. The housing (2) of the device (100) is transparent so that the camera (20) on a mobile phone (200) can be positioned to view displacement of the rocker arm (12) during use. The phone (200) is programmed to extract a signal indicative of the frequency of oscillation of the rocker arm (12) and this is displayed on the screen of the phone to provide feedback to the user.

Abstract: A paediatric closed system suction catheter assembly has a patient end fitting (20) through which a suction catheter (24) is advanced into the tracheal tube (1). The patient end fitting comprises two parts: a machine end portion (30) including a wiper seal (32) and a ventilation side port (37), and a patient end portion (31) with a tapered spigot (42) inserted directly into the machine end (12) of the tube (1) without any intervening connector. The machine end and patient end portions (30) and (31) are connected together by a rotatable joint (43) formed by part-spherical surfaces (39) and (41) on the two portions.

Abstract: The sealing cuff (10) on a tracheal tube has a collar (31) at its patient end inverted within the inflatable part (32) of the cuff and attached with the shaft 1 immediately adjacent its patient end (6). The cuff (10) has a patient end region (33) of frusto-conical shape inclined to the axis of the shaft at about 30° and extending by about half the length of the inflatable portion.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) has an inflatable sealing cuff (13) and an array of one or more RFID pressure sensors (120) around the cuff. A leakage unit (30) interrogates the sensors (120) to determine any regions around the cuff having incomplete contact with the tracheal wall indicative of potential leakage between the cuff and the wall of the trachea.

Abstract: A respiratory therapy apparatus includes a rocker mechanism (101, 110, 111, 112) that provides an oscillating resistance to expiration. The apparatus also includes an air entrainment arrangement (200) at its air inlet (3) having a ring orifice (214) connected via a gas inlet (4) to a source (119) of oxygen at elevated pressure. The oxygen emerging around the ring orifice (214) entrains ambient air and supplies this as a continuous flow of respiratory gas to the patient interface (2) to provide a positive airway pressure.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer has a housing (1) with a vertical cylinder (4) connected at its upper end to one end of a gas passage (8) that is connected at its opposite end to an inlet tube (10) and mouthpiece (11). A piston (20) in the cylinder is moved up when the patient inhales through the mouthpiece and thereby creates a reduced pressure at the upper end of the cylinder. The spirometer also includes a flow sensor (30) located in the gas passage (8) that generates a wireless signal indicative of gas flow along the passage. A monitor (40), such as a suitably programmed mobile phone, is located separately of the spirometer housing (1) and responds to the output of the sensor (30). The monitor (40) records and provides feedback to the user indicative of his use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A paediatric tracheostomy tube is provided in two parts. One part is a patient end portion (13) having a silicone shaft (10) arranged to locate in the trachea. The machine end is formed with a mounting flange (20) adapted to lie against the neck and has a low profile coupling (21) on its machine side. The other part is a machine end portion (23) having a flexible, corrugated shaft (10?) of polypropylene with a low profile coupling (26) at its patient end adapted to engage the coupling (21) on the flange as a twist fit. The machine end of the machine end portion (23) has a tapered male coupling (25) adapted to fit with a female coupling on a breathing tube, the male coupling having a larger profile than the coupling (26) on the patient end of the machine end portion (23) and the coupling (21) on the flange.