Abstract: An oscillatory therapy device has a nebulizer port (21) close to a patient inlet (12) and a first one way valve (31) between the nebulizer port and the oscillatory mechanism (20) arranged to allow expiratory flow from the patient inlet to the mechanism but to prevent flow in the opposite direction. The nebulizer port (21) includes a second one-way valve (32) arranged to open during inhalation but to close during exhalation so that nebulizer medication is not expelled during exhalation.

Abstract: A vibratory respiratory therapy device (100) has a valve element (11) on a rocker arm (12) that opens and closes an opening (10) during exhalation through the device and thereby generates sound. A mobile phone (20) with a microphone (21) picks up the sound generated and has a processor (22) that converts the sound signal into a sound energy signal in order to measure its frequency. The processor (22) computes a measure of pressure in the device (10) by multiplying the detected frequency by a fixed factor and adding a fixed constant to the product. The pressure data is used to monitor patient use of the device.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube introducer (1) has a patient end region (10) on which the tube (2) is mounted and that is curved in one sense. The introducer has a machine end region (11) projecting from the rear end of the tube (2) to provide a handle that curves in the opposite sense to the patient end region (10) so that the introducer has an S shape along its length. A bore (24) for a guide member extends from the patient end tip (14) of the introducer and opens in the machine end region (11) through a side opening (25). The introducer 1 is provided in a kit (200) with the tracheostomy tube (2) and a dilator (202) having the same general S shape as the introducer.

Abstract: A vibratory PEP respiratory therapy device (100) includes a valve element (11) on a rocker arm (12) that opens and closes an opening (10) during exhalation through the apparatus. An accelerometer (20) including a piezoelectric beam (22) supported at one end (23) is mounted on the outside of the housing (2) of the device to respond to vibration transmitted though the housing caused by oscillating movement of the rocker arm (12). The output of the accelerometer (20) is supplied to a circuit (28), (29) that determines when the device (100) is used and the duration and quality of use of the device.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (2) removably inserted in the outer tube. The connector (15) on the machine end of the outer tube is rotatable through about a quarter turn and has a screw thread (30) on its inner surface. The hub (33) on the machine end of the inner cannula (2) is also formed with a screw thread (35) arranged to engage with the screw thread (30) in the connector. The inner cannula (2) is pulled into the outer tube (1), or is pushed outwardly of the tube, by rotating the connector.

Abstract: A guiding catheter (16) for use with a dilator (17) in a tracheostomy procedure has an elongated stop ring (160) the length of which is at least twice the minimum diameter D of the ring. The patient end (162) of the stop ring (160) makes a smooth transition with the external surface of the guiding catheter (16) and has the same external diameter as that of the catheter. The stop ring (160) tapers along its length so that the diameter at its machine end (163) is greater than at its patient end (162) and is the same as that of the patient end (170) of the dilator (17). In this way, the stop ring (160) makes a smooth transition with the patient end of the dilator (17).

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (2) inserted in the outer tube. Two lugs (36) and (37) project outwardly from the inner cannula. The outer tube has a connector (15) that is rotatable and has catch members (28) and (29) that can be rotated into alignment with the lugs (36) and (37) on the inner cannula so as to retain the inner cannula in the outer tube. The inner cannula is removed by twisting the connector (15) through 90° so that the catch members (28) (and 29) move out of alignment with the lugs (36) and (37) to enable the inner cannula to be pulled rearwardly out of the outer tube.

Abstract: A dual-lumen closed-system suction catheter assembly has a handpiece (2) at its machine end coupled to a suction source (27) and a source (37) of irrigating liquid. The handpiece has a pistol grip shape with a suction control (30) on its upper part (22) that can be operated by the thumb to open a valve (28) in line between the suction lumen (10) of the catheter (1) and the suction source (27). The flow of irrigating liquid to the catheter (1) is controlled by an irrigation valve (38) in the handpiece that is actuated by a trigger (50) when squeezed by the fingers of the same hand.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) has an adjustable flange (2) that can be slid along the tube and locked in the desired position. The flange has a one-piece resilient nut (40) that is threaded on a tubular projection (30) on the flange. The nut has an integral inner sleeve (44) divided into separate fingers (48) the outside of which are engaged by the inside of the tubular projection. The flange is locked in position by screwing the nut onto the projection so that the fingers that are forced inwardly to engage the outside of the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling speech while a tracheostomy tube is in place includes a tracheostomy tube 1 with a vocalisation gas lumen 15 extending along its length and opening at one end externally of the tube above the sealing cuff 10 in the trachea T. A ventilator 2 is connected to the main bore 3 of the tube 1 to supply ventilation gas cyclically to the patient. The ventilator 2 also has an auxiliary outlet 29 connected to the vocalisation gas lumen 15. The auxiliary outlet 29 supplies vocalisation gas to the vocalisation gas lumen 15 only during the expiratory phases of ventilation. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a separate supply 50 of vocalisation gas connected with the vocalisation gas lumen 15? via a valve 52. The valve 52 is controlled by pressure in the main gas supply tubing 31? so that the valve is opened to enable the supply of vocalisation gas only during the expiratory phases of ventilation.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) has a movable and lockable flange (2) by which the tube can be supported about the neck of a patient. The flange has a rotatable locking ring (34), which is threaded with a housing (26) fixed with the wings (22 and 23) of the flange. A resilient sleeve (50) is located in a recess (44) of the locking ring between a compression surface (45) on the locking ring at one end and the floor (46) of the housing at the opposite end. When the locking ring (34) is twisted it is moved forwardly along the housing (26), thereby compressing the resilient sleeve (50) axially. The axial compression causes the sleeve (50) to expand radially against the outside of the tube (1) and the inside of the housing (26), thereby locking the flange (2) in position.

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 HME has a housing (10) moulded in two parts (26 and 27) of a thick, thermally-insulative foamed plastics to form an enlarged central region (13) and opposite end walls (24 and 25). Separate patient and machine end couplings (11 and 12) are bonded to openings (37 and 47) in the end walls. The two housing parts (26 and 27) are bonded end to end about an HME element (14) formed by a strip of treated corrugated paper wound about a support sleeve (50).

Abstract: Apparatus for warming medical infusion fluids includes a heat pipe (12) warmed by an electrical heater (17) at one end. A replaceable fluid flow path (20) of helical configuration extends along the heat pipe (12) and is formed between an inner, thermally-conductive sleeve (21) with a helical profile and an outer insulative sleeve (26). An inlet (3) to the flow path (20) is located adjacent the heater (17), the outlet (4) being at the opposite end of the heat pipe (12). The inlet (3) is connected to a suspended saline bag (1) and the outlet (4) connects via tubing (5) to a catheter (6) inserted in a blood vessel. A temperature sensor (18) in the outlet tubing (5) provides a feedback output to a control unit (11) that controls operation of the heater (17) to maintain a stable temperature.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1has an adjustable flange (2) that can be slid along the tube and locked in the desired position. The flange has a one-piece resilient nut (40) that is threaded on a tubular projection (30) on the flange. The nut has an integral inner sleeve (44) divided into separate fingers (48) the outside of which are engaged by the inside of the tubular projection. The flange is locked in position by screwing the nut onto the projection so that the fingers that are forced inwardly to engage the outside of the tube.

Abstract: A respiratory monitor including a sensor (200) responsive to substance in exhaled breath is mounted in or connected to a respiratory therapy device (100) of the kind that provides an alternating resistance to expiratory flow. The sensor (200) is exposed to biomarkers or other substances in exhaled breath. The vibration in the lungs produced by the therapy device (100) helps release an increased amount of the biomarkers or other substances in the exhaled breath.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tracheostomy tube (1) and a removable inner cannula (3). The inner cannula (3) is made by helically winding PTFE tape (40) on a mandrel (42) and applying a reinforcing strip (34) of PTFE or other materials longitudinally along the outside of the wound tape. The tape and strip are then heated to sinter and bond them together and convert the PTFE to ePTFE and form an inner layer. An outer layer (46) is extruded along the outside of the inner layer. The shaft (30) is cut between the ends of adjacent reinforcing strips (34) to leave a short unreinforced portion (35) at the patient end (32) of each shaft.

Abstract: A tracheal tube cuff inflator/indicator has a coloured pressure flag (211) slidable against the action of a spring (212) along the inside of a transparent housing (210) by change of pressure. The flag has three coloured regions along its length. A sleeve (310) with a transparent central window (311) is slidable frictionally along the outside of the housing so that the window can be aligned with a central green region (211G) when correct pressure is achieved in the cuff (10). Any change in pressure of the cuff (10) moves the flag (211) so that the green portion (211G) moves away from the window (311) in the outer sleeve, thereby indicating to the user that the cuff pressure has changed. The inflator/indicator also has an elastomeric balloon (220) acting as a pressure reservoir that can be manually compressed if it is necessary to increase pressure in the cuff.

Abstract: An inflation valve (20) for a sealing cuff (10) on a tracheal tube (1) has a helical ceramic spring (40) that urges a valve seal (45, 87) against a valve seat (28, 128). The actuator (51) by which the seal (45, 87) is lifted from the seat to open the valve includes a spring latch mechanism (53). The latch mechanism has three spring fingers (56) that are held resiliently in compression in a recess (60) before the first actuation of the valve. When first used, the actuator is moved forwardly to open the valve so that the free ends of the spring fingers clear the end of the recess and deflect outwardly. When the actuator (51) is released to allow the valve to close, the spring fingers (56) engage a latch surface (63) so that the spring (40) is held in greater tension.

Abstract: A fenestrated tracheostomy tube has a shaft (1) made of a silicone or other soft material. The fenestrated region (10) located in the trachea (20) has two rows of several openings (11) along the center line of the tube. The openings (12) are formed in a separate plate (12) of a stiffer material bonded or moulded in an aperture (13) in the shaft (1) of the tube to give the shaft extra stiffness in this region.