Abstract: A voice prosthesis comprising a outer cannula and an inner cannula wherein the outer cannula is generally in the shape of a spool and comprises two flanges connected by a hollow annular stem therebetween, and the inner cannula comprises a proximal flange and a stem configured to fit within a passageway of the stem of the outer cannula. The outer cannula comprises a retaining slot on its outer proximal edge which can be used to rotationally secure an obround inner cannula proximal flange. The inner cannula may also comprise windows for use with retaining nubs disposed on the interior of the outer cannula passageway and an insertion tool having a moveable protrusions.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube speaking valve is disclosed. The tracheostomy tube speaking valve includes a cylindrical body with a passageway for air to pass through. A valve disc is provided in the passageway. The disc is moveable to allow for inhalation through the passageway and will close automatically in response to exhalation pressure to direct air to the patient's larynx and mouth for speech.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve to be applied to a tracheostomized person's neck comprises an air passage to be connected with the tracheostoma for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve member is provided in the air passage, wherein the valve member is normally open and allows for inhalation and exhalation through the air passage. The valve further comprises a manually activated member for establishing an uninterrupted seal to block patient exhalation, thereby to direct it to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

Abstract: An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

Abstract: Automatic patient turning and lifting method, system, and apparatus. An exemplary turning and lifting mattress device discloses herein includes a plurality of left and right inflatable turning bladders, a mattress support structure positioned on the bladders and itself including an outer mattress casing including an inner chamber filled with a plurality of particles, at least one contact surface configured to be in contact with a patient during use, wherein the outer mattress casing is configured to be inflated and evacuated such that the outer mattress casing is capable of being shapeable when inflated, and forms a resilient structure configured to hold its shape when evacuated, and wherein, during use, the at least one contact surface conforms to the shape of a body, the plurality of particles displaced from around the body leaving a depression on the at least one contact surface in the shape of the body.

Abstract: A filter toxin and antigen detector assembly for detecting the presence or absence of toxins or antigens within air handling systems, ventilators, respirators, continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) devices is disclosed. The filter toxin and antigen detectors may be attached to an air filter, or placed (such as in the form of a test cartridge or test strip) onto a port or other portion of a respiration device to determine if the device is clean for further medical use. The filter toxin and antigen detectors disclosed herein utilize lateral flow immunochromatographic assay technology having a sample window allowing air flow therethough. The filter toxin and antigen detector will give an immediate presence indication, such as by changing color, thus providing a fast indication of whether or not harmful toxins or antigens are present within an airborne environment.

Abstract: A medical device system and method including an endotracheal tube configured for insertion into a patients mouth or nose are disclosed. The endotracheal tube may include an outer cannula extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured to be positioned between in a patient's trachea. The outer cannula may include a lumen extending from a first opening defined in the proximal end to a second opening defined in the distal end. The endotracheal tube may further include an inner cannula removably positioned in the lumen of the outer cannula. The inner cannula may include a proximal end that extends outwardly from the first opening of the outer cannula, a distal end positioned adjacent to the distal end of the outer cannula, and a passageway extending through the distal and proximal ends of the inner cannula.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve to be applied to a tracheostomized person's neck comprises an air passage to be connected with the tracheostoma for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve member is provided in the air passage, wherein the valve member is normally open and allows for inhalation and exhalation through the air passage.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis comprising a outer cannula and an inner cannula wherein the outer cannula is generally in the shape of a spool and comprises two flanges connected by a hollow annular stem therebetween, and the inner cannula comprises a proximal flange and a stem configured to fit within a passageway of the stem of the outer cannula. The outer cannula comprises a retaining slot on its outer proximal edge which can be used to rotationally secure an obround inner cannula proximal flange. The inner cannula may also comprise windows for use with retaining nubs disposed on the interior of the outer cannula passageway and an insertion tool having a moveable protrusions.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve to be applied to a tracheostomized person's neck comprises an air passage to be connected with the tracheostoma for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve member is provided in the air passage, wherein the valve member is normally open and allows for inhalation and exhalation through the air passage. The valve further comprises a manually activated member for establishing an uninterrupted seal to block patient exhalation, thereby to direct it to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

Abstract: A medical device system and method including an endotracheal tube configured for insertion into a patients mouth or nose are disclosed. The endotracheal tube may include an outer cannula extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured to be positioned between in a patient's trachea. The outer cannula may include a lumen extending from a first opening defined in the proximal end to a second opening defined in the distal end. The endotracheal tube may further include an inner cannula removably positioned in the lumen of the outer cannula. The inner cannula may include a proximal end that extends outwardly from the first opening of the outer cannula, a distal end positioned adjacent to the distal end of the outer cannula, and a passageway extending through the distal and proximal ends of the inner cannula.

Abstract: An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve to be applied to a tracheostomized person's neck comprises an air passage to be connected with the tracheostoma for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve member is provided in the air passage, wherein the valve member is normally open and allows for inhalation and exhalation through the air passage.

Abstract: An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. The surgical instrument system may include one or more capacitive sensors near a tip of a needle and electrical circuitry to monitor the capacitance of the capacitive sensors. The capacitance of the capacitive sensors may change as the needle is inserted into different tissue of lumens of the patient's body, allowing for the position of the needle to be determined based on analysis of the capacitance of the capacitive sensors.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis to be mounted in a fistula between trachea and esophagus includes an outer cannula and a removable, disposable inner cannula. Both outer and inner cannula are tubular shaped with the inner cannula fitting inside the outer cannula. The inner cannula element with a through passage and a valve mechanism controlling the connection through said passage. A coupling mechanism is provided on the proximal end of the inner cannula to provide easy, releasable attachment of the inner cannula to the outer cannula. The inner cannula is inexpensively constructed and is dimensionally compatible with the outer cannula.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a tract through a tissue wall having a proximal side and a distal side. The device includes a body, a retainer adjacent an end of the body which will lie on the distal side in the use orientation, and a flange adjacent an end of the body which will lie on the proximal side in the use orientation. The retainer comprises a ferromagnetic material that responds to a magnetic field to maintain the retainer in an undeployed, insertion orientation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. Liquid may be present in the lumen or the lumen may be devoid of liquid or tissue. The instrument is configured to determine when the needle tip is engaged with a portion of patient's tissue and determine when the needle tip has exited that portion of the patient's tissue by detecting changes in properties of the tissue, specifically, electrical resistance.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve to be applied to a tracheostomized person's neck comprises an air passage to be connected with the tracheostoma for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve member is provided in the air passage, wherein the valve member is normally open and allows for inhalation and exhalation through the air passage. The valve further comprises a manually activated member for establishing an uninterrupted seal to block patient exhalation, thereby to direct it to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. Liquid may be present in the lumen or the lumen may be devoid of liquid or tissue. The instrument is configured to determine when the needle tip is engaged with a portion of patient's tissue and determine when the needle tip has exited that portion of the patient's tissue by detecting changes in properties of the tissue, specifically, electrical resistance.