Abstract: A gel cap is loaded on a folded flange of a voice prosthesis which is loaded on an end portion of an inserter, wherein a tip of the end portion is pressed against a valve flap of the voice prosthesis. The voice prosthesis includes a strap that is stretched for engagement with an attachment portion on the inserter. The voice prosthesis, gel cap, and inserter are inserted into the tracheoesophageal puncture. The patient then swallows fluids to cause the gel cap to dissolve to allow the esophageal flange to deploy, whereby upon deployment of the esophageal flange, the tip of the end portion of the inserter presses the valve flap open, allowing the inserter to move axially relative to the voice prosthesis until a stop collar of the inserter engages the voice prosthesis providing external visual confirmation to the user that the gel cap has dissolved and the esophageal flange has deployed.

Abstract: A tracheotomy tube apparatus includes an outer cannula having first and second ends, and a fenestration along the length of the outer cannula between the first and second ends. The apparatus further includes a first inner cannula sized for insertion into the outer cannula. The first inner cannula has a raised region substantially to close the fenestration when the first inner cannula is inserted into the outer cannula. The apparatus further comprises a second inner cannula for insertion into the outer cannula when the first inner cannula is removed therefrom. The second inner cannula includes a resilient region which lies adjacent the fenestration when the second inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula, a valve at an end thereof and a region between the resilient region and the end thereof which provides a passageway between the second inner cannula and the outer cannula when the second inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting phonation in a wearer of a tracheostomy tube having a first end lying outside the trachea of the wearer in the use orientation, a second end lying inside the trachea of the wearer in the use orientation, and a first lumen coupling the first and second ends of the tracheostomy tube. The tracheostomy tube may or may not include a fenestration through a sidewall of the tracheostomy tube coupling the first lumen to the outside of the tracheostomy tube. The apparatus includes a cannula for insertion into the first lumen from the first end of the tracheostomy tube. The cannula includes a first end lying outside the first end of the tracheostomy tube in the use orientation, a second, opposite end, and a second lumen coupling the first and second ends of the cannula.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying non-volatile memory. A first transmission of data is received by a first memory of a device. The data is received by a non-volatile memory of the device. The data received by the non-volatile memory is verified by comparing it to the data in the first memory with comparison logic of the device. The verification is performed without receiving a second transmission of the data and without sending a second transmission of the data. A result is generated from the comparison.

Abstract: A gel cap is loaded on a folded flange of a voice prosthesis which is loaded on an end portion of an inserter, wherein a tip of the end portion is pressed against a valve flap of the voice prosthesis. The voice prosthesis includes a strap that is stretched for engagement with an attachment portion on the inserter. The voice prosthesis, gel cap, and inserter are inserted into the tracheoesophageal puncture. The patient then swallows fluids to cause the gel cap to dissolve to allow the esophageal flange to deploy, whereby upon deployment of the esophageal flange, the tip of the end portion of the inserter presses the valve flap open, allowing the inserter to move axially relative to the voice prosthesis until a stop collar of the inserter engages the voice prosthesis providing external visual confirmation to the user that the gel cap has dissolved and the esophageal flange has deployed.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis dilator and sizer device is provided including an elongated member having a first end with a tip and a flange and a second end with a stop portion. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion with a measuring area disposed adjacent to the flange and including measuring indicia thereon and having a dilation area adjacent to the second end. The elongated member also includes a recessed region adjacent to the flange to receive the flange in a folded position upon insertion into the non-dilated fistula. The dilation area has a larger diameter than the measuring area.

Abstract: An outer cannula has a first port for orienting outside the neck of a wearer, a second port for orienting within the trachea of the wearer, a first passageway coupling the first port to the second port to permit the flow of gases from the first port to the second during inhalation by the wearer and from the second port during exhalation by the wearer, and a third port between the first and second ports. An inner cannula is provided for insertion into the first passageway via the first port when the wearer desires to be able to exhale through the wearer's pharynx. The inner cannula includes a fourth port for orienting adjacent the first port, a fifth port for orienting adjacent the second port and a second passageway coupling the fourth port to the fifth port to permit the flow of gases from the fourth port to the fifth during inhalation by the wearer. A first valve controls flow through the third port.

Abstract: A variable reference voltage circuit for performing memory operation on non-volatile memory includes a multi-level voltage source and a selector circuit. The multi-level voltage source generates multiple voltages. The selector circuit includes a selector input and a selector output. The selector input is coupled to the multi-level voltage source to selectively couple any of the multiple voltages to the selector output. The selector output of the selector circuit is coupled to a non-volatile memory array to provide the NV memory array with a selectable program voltage for programming the NV memory array and a selectable erase voltage for erasing the NV memory array.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting phonation in a wearer of a tracheostomy tube having a first end lying outside the trachea of the wearer in the use orientation, a second end lying inside the trachea of the wearer in the use orientation, and a first lumen coupling the first and second ends of the tracheostomy tube. The tracheostomy tube may or may not include a fenestration through a sidewall of the tracheostomy tube coupling the first lumen to the outside of the tracheostomy tube. The apparatus includes a cannula for insertion into the first lumen from the first end of the tracheostomy tube. The cannula includes a first end lying outside the first end of the tracheostomy tube in the use orientation, a second, opposite end, and a second lumen coupling the first and second ends of the cannula.

Abstract: A semi-passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag being coupled to a battery providing a battery voltage for powering a part of the circuitry of the RFID tag includes an RF communication block receiving and transmitting RF signals, a sensor block including a frequency ratio digitizing temperature sensor for alternately measuring the ambient temperature and the battery voltage, and a control logic block in communication with the RF communication block and the sensor block. The control logic controls the operation of the RF communication block and the sensor block and stores temperature and voltage measurement data generated by the sensor block. In one embodiment, the control logic block of the RFID tag operates based on a system clock and the sensor block provides a reference clock to the control logic block for use in calibrating the system clock of the control logic block.

Abstract: A digitizing ohmmeter system for providing a digital resistance ratio measurement includes a high impedance current source providing a DC excitation current to an impedance-varying input sensor and a reference resistor and an ADC circuit including a charge-balancing modulator and a digital post processing circuit. The same DC excitation current passes through both the input sensor and the reference resistor. The system utilizes a switched capacitor input stage to sample the voltage across the input sensor and the voltage across the reference resistor to generate an input voltage step and a reference voltage step which are coupled to the modulator of the ADC circuit. The digitizing ohmmeter system thereby realizes fully ratiometric operation such that neither a precise current source nor a precise voltage source is required for accurate resistance ratio measurements and only a stable known reference resistor is necessary for accurate absolute resistance measurements.

Abstract: A frequency ratio digitizing temperature sensor for generating a linearity-corrected temperature output signal includes an input generation circuit receiving a PTAT current and a CTAT current and a frequency ratio ADC including data and reference oscillators. The input generation circuit generates a first current from the weighted sum of the PTAT current and the CTAT current and also generates a first corrected current being the sum of the first current and a first portion of the PTAT current. The input generation circuit provides a first output current indicative of the PTAT current and a first output voltage generated by applying the first corrected current to a first resistor for use with the data oscillator and provides a second output current being the first corrected current and a second output voltage generated by applying the first current to a second resistor for use with the reference oscillator of the ADC.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of memory management. Within the present embodiment, a page register along with supporting logic allows a mode to be selected by a processor at the same time it specifies a particular memory page. The selected mode defines what the subsequent use of the specified memory page will be. For example, this method may decrease overhead when moving between different memory pages by providing a mode that automatically returns to a previous page after a specified page has been accessed.

Abstract: An externally worn tracheal valve has a valve assembly supporting a flexible, resilient lightweight diaphragm centrally thereof. The diaphragm is folded towards the trachea so that air expelled from the trachea will tend to unfold the diaphragm to an extended position to close the valve. During normal breathing the diaphragm remains at least partially folded and the valve remains open. During voice exhalation, the diaphragm extends to close the valve. During high pressure coughing exhalation, the diaphragm may evert, opening the valve to release excessive pressure.

Abstract: A digitizing ohmmeter system for providing a digital resistance ratio measurement includes a high impedance current source providing a DC excitation current to an impedance-varying input sensor and a reference resistor and an ADC circuit including a charge-balancing modulator and a digital post processing circuit. The same DC excitation current passes through both the input sensor and the reference resistor. The system utilizes a switched capacitor input stage to sample the voltage across the input sensor and the voltage across the reference resistor to generate an input voltage step and a reference voltage step which are coupled to the modulator of the ADC circuit. The digitizing ohmmeter system thereby realizes fully ratiometric operation such that neither a precise current source nor a precise voltage source is required for accurate resistance ratio measurements and only a stable known reference resistor is necessary for accurate absolute resistance measurements.

Abstract: A digitizing temperature measurement system for providing a digital temperature measurement includes an excitation source for providing switched excitation currents to two or three temperature sensing elements and an ADC circuit including a charge-balancing modulator and a digital post processing circuit. The system utilizes synchronous AC excitation of the temperature sensing elements and an AC coupled analog-to-digital converter input. The temperature measurement system also implements correlated double sampling for noise cancellation to provide low noise and highly accurate analog-to-digital conversions. The modulator receives a charge domain reference signal generated by a reference charge packet generator incorporating a charge based bandgap subsystem. Therefore, the temperature measurement system can be operated at very low supply voltages, such as 1.0 Vdc.

Abstract: A digitizing ohmmeter system for providing a digital resistance measurement includes a current source for providing an excitation current to an impedance-varying input sensor and an ADC circuit including a charge-balancing modulator and a digital post processing circuit. The system utilizes synchronous AC excitation of the input sensor and an AC coupled analog-to-digital converter input. The digitizing ohmmeter system also implements correlated double sampling for noise cancellation to provide low noise and highly accurate analog-to-digital conversions. The ADC circuit includes a reference signal generator generating a resistance reference signal by time-sharing the excitation current with the input sensor. The digitizing ohmmeter system thereby realizes fully ratiometric operation such that neither a precise current source nor a precise voltage source is required for accurate resistance measurements.

Abstract: A digitizing ohmmeter system for providing a digital resistance measurement includes a current source for providing an excitation current to an impedance-varying input sensor and an ADC circuit including a charge-balancing modulator and a digital post processing circuit. The system utilizes synchronous AC excitation of the input sensor and an AC coupled analog-to-digital converter input. The digitizing ohmmeter system also implements correlated double sampling for noise cancellation to provide low noise and highly accurate analog-to-digital conversions. The ADC circuit includes a reference signal generator generating a resistance reference signal by time-sharing the excitation current with the input sensor. The digitizing ohmmeter system thereby realizes fully ratiometric operation such that neither a precise current source nor a precise voltage source is required for accurate resistance measurements.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a puncture in a tracheoesophageal wall includes a cylindrical body and a flexible first flange provided on an outside surface of the body. The flange has a use orientation in which it projects generally outwardly from the outside surface of the body and an insertion orientation in which it is resiliently folded toward the axis of the body. A retainer constructed of a material soluble in fluids present in the tracheoesophageal wall and esophagus retains the flange in its resiliently folded orientation.

Abstract: An outer cannula has a first port for orienting outside the neck of a wearer, a second port for orienting within the trachea of the wearer, a first passageway coupling the first port to the second port to permit the flow of gases from the first port to the second during inhalation by the wearer and from the second port during exhalation by the wearer, and a third port between the first and second ports. An inner cannula is configured for insertion into the first passageway via the first port when the wearer desires to be able to exhale through his or her pharynx. The inner cannula includes a fourth port for orienting adjacent the first port, a fifth port for orienting adjacent the second port and a second passageway coupling the fourth port to the fifth port to permit the flow of gases from the fourth port to through the fifth during inhalation by the wearer and prevent the flow of gases from the fifth fourth port during exhalation by the wearer. A valve controls flow through the third port.