Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal includes a configurable first audio signal processor for processing the audio signal in accordance with different configuration settings to obtain a processed audio signal, wherein the apparatus is adapted so that different configuration settings result in different sampling rates of the processed audio signal. The apparatus furthermore includes n analysis filter bank having a first number of analysis filter bank channels, a synthesis filter bank having a second number of synthesis filter bank channels, a second audio processor being adapted to receive and process an audio signal having a predetermined sampling rate, and a controller for controlling the first number of analysis filter bank channels or the second number of synthesis filter bank channels in accordance with a configuration setting.

Abstract: Reduction to the risk that artifacts occur in the cuff pressure measurement owing to accumulations of water in the cuff is by a tracheal ventilation device, including a cannula tube and an inflatable sleeve (cuff) arranged around the cannula tube. The sleeve is in fluid contact with a filling tube. In certain embodiments, the inner surface of the filling tube is formed by a solid hydrophilic layer. Further disclosed is a method that improves the pressure measurement in the sleeve of a conventional tracheal ventilation device.

Abstract: To be able to prevent a situation in which, in percutaneous dilational tracheostomy, the guide catheter already inserted into the trachea can kink, a device for percutaneous dilational tracheostomy is disclosed which has a puncture needle, a guide catheter and a guidewire. The puncture needle has a ground tip at its distal end. The maximum external diameter of the puncture needle is smaller than the minimum internal diameter of the guide catheter, and the puncture needle is insertable so far into the guide catheter that the ground tip of the puncture needle protrudes beyond the distal end of the guide catheter. The maximum diameter of the guidewire is smaller than the minimum internal diameter of the puncture needle, with the result that the guidewire can be guided through the puncture needle such that its end protrudes beyond the ground tip of the puncture needle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracheal ventilation apparatus, in particular a tracheostomy cannula or an endotracheal tube, having a cannula tube, which from a point of view from a gas supply, has a proximal tube portion with a proximal opening and a distal tube portion with a distal opening. In order to provide an easy-to-handle tracheal ventilation apparatus that can easily be inserted and that impedes a swallowing process as little as possible, the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion are connected to one another by way of an axially air-permeable joint that facilitates at least restricted mobility and, in particular, pivotability of a longitudinal axis of the distal tube portion with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal tube portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for inserting a tracheostomy tube, comprising a guide element and a dilator, wherein the guide element has a shield, wherein, according to the invention, the guide element has a first securing means and the dilator has a corresponding second securing means, whereby the guide element can be detachably connected by positive locking to the dilator in a position in which a distal end of the dilator is engaged with an inner surface of the shield when the latter is in the first state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracheal ventilation apparatus (1), in particular a tracheostomy cannula or an endotracheal tube, having a cannula tube (2), which has a proximal tube portion (3) with a proximal opening (3a) and a distal tube portion (4) with a distal opening (4a). In order to provide an easy-to-handle tracheal ventilation apparatus that can easily be inserted and that impedes a swallowing process as little as possible, in which tracheal ventilation apparatus the risk of injuring the tracheal wall is reduced, it is proposed, according to the invention, that the proximal tube portion (3) and the distal tube portion (3) are connected to one another by way of an axially air-permeable joint (7) that facilitates at least restricted mobility and, in particular, pivotability of the axis of the distal tube portion (4) with respect to the axis of the proximal tube portion (3).

Abstract: The volume of a pressure equalization balloon is connected to a further volume, the pressure of which is intended to remain as constant as possible. To keep the cuff pressure in the pressure range of between roughly 20 mbar and 30 mbar, the equalization balloon is produced from a thermoplastic polymer (TPE) and is overstretched past the maximum intended control volume before first use and is then relaxed to the range of the control volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for inserting a tracheostomy tube, comprising a guide element and a dilator, wherein the guide element has a shield, wherein, according to the invention, the guide element has a first securing means and the dilator has a corresponding second securing means, whereby the guide element can be detachably connected by positive locking to the dilator in a position in which a distal end of the dilator is engaged with an inner surface of the shield when the latter is in the first state.

Abstract: A speaking valve for fitment on to a tracheostomy cannula includes a valve unit and an attachment unit. The attachment unit has a tubular housing having a first and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first to the second end. The first end of the attachment unit can be connected to a connector on the tracheostomy cannula and the valve unit is arranged at the second end of the attachment unit. The valve unit and the attachment unit are connected together movably. The valve unit is designed that in a first position it closes the housing of the attachment unit air-tightly with respect to a flow direction, and in at least one second position it permits a flow of air into the housing and out of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure equalizing device with a pressure equalizing balloon, the volume of which is connected to a further volume, the pressure of which is intended to be kept at as constant a value as possible even in the event of an enforced change in volume.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tracheostomy cannula comprising a cannula tube, wherein the cannula tube has a bend with a radially inward and a radially outward side of the cannula tube and a tube lumen and a tube wall and an axis extending parallel to the tube wall in the tube lumen and a distal and a proximal end and on the radially outward side of the bend a first window region having one or more openings in the tube wall. To provide a tracheostomy cannula having a cannula tube, with which talking is made possible and the entry of air into the tissue is prevented even when the position of the tracheostomy cannula in the trachea or the anatomical conditions change, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the cannula tube has in axially displaced relationship with the first window region at least one further window region having one or more openings in the tube wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure equalization balloon, wherein the volume of the pressure equalization balloon is connected to a further volume, the pressure of which is intended to remain as constant as possible even in the event of a forced volume change. Therefore, in order to keep the cuff pressure in the pressure range that is generally considered appropriate and optimal of between roughly 20 mbar and 30 mbar, the equalization balloon is produced according to the invention from a thermoplastic polymer (TPE) and is overstretched past the maximum intended control volume before first use and is then relaxed to the range of the control volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure equalising device with a pressure equalising balloon, the volume of which is connected to a further volume, the pressure of which is intended to be kept at as constant a value as possible even in the event of an enforced change in volume.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a speaking valve for fitment on to a tracheostomy cannula, which includes a valve unit and an attachment unit, wherein the attachment unit has a tubular housing having a first and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first to the second end, wherein the first end of the attachment unit can be connected to a connector on the tracheostomy cannula and the valve unit is arranged at the second end of the attachment unit and wherein the valve unit and the attachment unit are connected together movably and preferably releasably.

Abstract: The invention concerns a collar with a tracheotomy cannula or tube, wherein the collar embraces a respiratory tube in sealing relationship. The collar comprises separate inner and outer films, the outer film being elastically stretchable. The collar of the device allows no or only small tight folds formed which do not affect sealing integrity between the collar and the trachea wall even at low pressures. The outer film is expandable to a diameter larger than the diameter of a trachea, and in particular is at least 1.5 times the outside diameter of the tube, and the inner film comprises a material of lower elastic stretching. The inner film is produced oversized and without an external restriction at an internal pressure of at most 20 hPa assumes a diameter which is larger than the diameter of a trachea.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device having a guide catheter for the introduction of a tracheal cannula into a tracheostoma.

Abstract: A device for inserting a tracheal tube into a tracheostomy has as insertion aid with a shaft (6, 6?, 14) which can be inserted through the tracheal tube, and a conical tip (2, 13) which is or can be joined to the tracheal tube. In order to provide a device for inserting a tracheal tube which considerably reduces the risk of injury when inserting the tracheal tube, which makes the insertion process easier, the inserted tube being highly comfortable even with a long-term use, keeping low the danger of injuries or sore points in the trachea, the insertion aid according to the invention has a conical tip (2, 13) which can have a small base diameter in a first state and a large base diameter in a second state.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tracheostomy cannula comprising a cannula tube, wherein the cannula tube has a bend with a radially inward and a radially outward side of the cannula tube and a tube lumen and a tube wall and an axis extending parallel to the tube wall in the tube lumen and a distal and a proximal end and on the radially outward side of the bend a first window region having one or more openings in the tube wall. To provide a tracheostomy cannula having a cannula tube, with which talking is made possible and the entry of air into the tissue is prevented even when the position of the tracheostomy cannula in the trachea or the anatomical conditions change, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the cannula tube has in axially displaced relationship with the first window region at least one further window region having one or more openings in the tube wall.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a collar (10) of a respiratory device, in particular a tracheotomy cannula (100) or an endotracheal tube, wherein the collar (10) embraces a respiratory tube and is fixed thereto in sealing relationship and the collar comprises an inner film (1) and an outer film (2), wherein the inner and the outer films are separate from each other and the outer film comprises an elastically easily stretchable material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device having a guide catheter for the introduction of a tracheal cannula into a tracheostoma.