Abstract: An introducer (2) for a curved tracheostomy tube (1) has a patient end tip (33) that projects beyond the patient end of the tube to help insertion. The patient end tip (33) is divided into two hinged portions (36) and (37). The hinged portions (36) and (37) bend outwardly to fill the gap created when the tube 1 is deformed to an oval section caused by straightening it by loading on the introducer.

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: 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displaced slightly out of the groove (40) making it easier for it to ramp out of the groove and allow the cannula to be withdrawn with little additional pulling force.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 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 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: Ventilator apparatus includes a pump (41) connected to supply pressurised air both to an air reservoir (23) and to an oxygen concentrator (70) that supplies pressurised oxygen to an oxygen reservoir (24). The outlet (50) of the air reservoir (23) is connected to the inlet of a breathing circuit (30) via an entrainment device (56) so that pressurised air from the reservoir entrains atmospheric air. The outlet (84) of the oxygen reservoir (24) is connected via oxygen tubing (99) to the patient end of the breathing circuit (30). A patient valve (90) at the patient end (93) of the breathing circuit (30) opens to allow the patient to exhale via openings (97) in the valve. The oxygen supply is switched to supply oxygen to the breathing circuit (30) during the expiratory phase so that oxygen in the circuit is inhaled during a subsequent inhalation phase.

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 tracheostomy tube assembly has a tube (1) and a flange assembly (2) that can be moved along the machine end region (10) of the tube. The flange assembly has a screw clamp (36) that can be tightened to apply a compressive force to the outside of the tube to lock the flange assembly in position. The machine end region of the tube has a non-circular section that is wider along the axis (15) along which the screw clamp applies a force. In this way, when the screw clamp (36) is tightened to lock the flange assembly (2) in position the tube (1) in the region of the clamp is deformed to a more circular shape. This avoids gripping any inner cannula (20) within the tube (1).

Abstract: Tracheostomy tubes (1) of different sizes or of other different characteristics are marked on their flange (20) with a band (22) of differing colours or patterns. Similarly, inner cannulae (30) for use with tubes of specific sizes have a marking (33) of the same colour or pattern. The tube (1) and inner cannula (30) are contained in a sealed pack (40) having a tray (41) with a peel-off seal sheet (42) that also bears a marking (43) of the same colour or pattern. The sealed pack (40) is contained within an outer cardboard carton (50) having an end flap (51) which is sealed by a label (54) of the same colour or pattern so that tubes of the desired characteristic can be easily selected.

Abstract: A speaking valve assembly (2, 200) for fitting to the machine end (13) of a tracheostomy tube (1) has a one-way valve (23, 236) that allows inhalation but prevents exhalation. The assembly further includes a pressure relief arrangement that remains closed during normal respiration and vocalisation but opens when pressure in the assembly rises above a normal level. In one arrangement the pressure relief arrangement takes the form of a ball valve (30) with a ball (32) that is lifted away from an opening (31) by excess pressure but falls back to block the opening when pressure reduces. An alternative pressure arrangement has a slidable collar (226) that normally covers vent apertures (223) in a housing (220) of the assembly. When pressure in the assembly rises above a normal level the collar (226) is pushed out to expose the vent apertures (223) and allow air to escape.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has a ball formation (31) of part-spherical shape at its machine end (13). The ball formation (31) is retained between two rings (33) and (34) projecting rearwardly from the tube neck flange (20) to enable movement between the tube shaft (10) and the flange in multiple planes.

Abstract: A valve (20) for the sealing cuff (10) of a tracheal tube has a valve member (40) urged against a valve seal (36, 37) by an MRI-safe resilient member (42) of neoprene or nitrile. The valve includes a two-part actuator (70) by which the valve member is displaced. Before use, during storage, the valve member is in a closed position with the resilient member relatively relaxed. When the valve is opened for the first time by inserting a syringe or the like, the two-part actuator arrangement is moved forwards to unseat the valve member to allow flow. This causes inclined surfaces (88) and (92) on the two parts (72) and (73) of the actuator to rotate the forward part slightly. When the syringe is removed to allow the valve to close, the forward part of the actuator latches on a surface (34) of the housing (21) in an operational position where the valve is closed.

Abstract: An introducer for a tracheostomy tube is formed of several articulated sections (24) that can be changed from a relatively flexible state to a more rigid state by tightening a tension member extending along the introducer using an actuator at its machine end. In its flexible state the introducer can be inserted into and removed from the tube. The introducer is put in its more rigid state for use in inserting the tube into a tracheostomy. Alternatively or additionally the introducer could have several gripping rings on its outside towards its patient end and two elongate members that can be slid relative to one another to enlarge the patient end so that the gripping rings engage and grip the inside of the tube, thereby enabling the introducer to pull the tube through the tracheostomy from its patient end.

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: An expiratory, vibratory therapy device (100, 200 300, 400) includes a compliance meter (104, 204, 304, 404) having a cylinder (110, 210, 310, 410) with a piston (111, 211, 411) movable along its length. The piston is urged by a spring (116, 226) to one end of the cylinder. The opposite end of the cylinder has an air inlet (120, 123, 219) normally closed by a springloaded occluder (129). The occluder (129) is moved to open the air inlet when the patient exhales in the prescribed manner. This allows some air to enter the cylinder and enables the piston to be displaced. The piston is coupled to a flag (106, 206, 306, 406) visible to the patient. When the correct number of prescribed breaths have been made the piston displaces the flag to indicate completion of the therapy.

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 introducer for an endotracheal tube (50) has a bendable rod (10) with a video camera (15) and light source (16) mounted at its patient end (12) and connected by a cable (17) to an electrical connector (2) fixed at the machine end of the rod. The connector (2) has a narrow profile to allow the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid over it. In use, the camera (15) is connected to a video display (4) via a cable (5) and a mating connector (6), the rod (10) is bent to the desired shape and inserted into the trachea. The mating connector (6) is then disconnected to enable the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid to the correct position in the trachea along the rod (10) and over the connector (2) mounted at the machine end of the rod. The rod (10) is then removed to leave the tube (50) in position.

Abstract: A tracheal tube has a high-volume/low-pressure sealing cuff (10, 201, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810) with an outer surface provided with surface formations (211, 311, 511, 611, 711, 811) adapted to reduce the flow of secretions past the cuff. The formations could be in the form of an array of dimples (211) or a pattern of linear ridges or channels (611 or 711). Alternatively, the surface formations, could be a pattern of intersecting linear projections (311, 312, 313) or grooves (511). Instead the surface formations could be provided by a rough texture (811) on the outer wall surface.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube has an inflatable sealing cuff (11) towards its patient end (6) and a fluid-permeable cuff (31) mounted on the shaft (1) above the inflatable cuff. The fluid-permeable cuff (31) contains hydrogel granules (32) that absorb moisture in the trachea (T) and help reduces the amount of secretions leaking past the sealing cuff (11). When the tube is to be withdrawn from the trachea (T) the lower, inflatable cuff (11) is deflated allowing the upper, fluid-permeable cuff (31) to be flattened against the outside of the lower cuff.

Abstract: An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80.