Abstract: There is provided a mechanism for gently detaching a loading catheter from a tracheostomy tube once the tube is placed in the trachea of a patient. After dilating the trachea, a loading catheter is inserted into a tracheostomy tube with which it desirably engages. Once the loading catheter and tracheostomy tube are attached to each other, the entire unit is passed through the stoma until the flange of the tracheostomy tube is in contact with the throat. The loading catheter may then be removed by rotating or twisting the loading catheter handle. The loading catheter and tracheostomy tube have a cam-action mechanism that gently forces the two parts apart as they are rotated relative to each other. This “cam action” disengagement allows for the removal of the loading catheter without subjecting the trachea or throat to undue pressure or forces that might cause trauma or increase recovery time. Other accessories like cannulas and obturators may attach and detach from the tracheostomy tube in a like manner.

Abstract: There is provided a balloon cuffed tracheostomy tube with a balloon designed so as to enhance the tube's anchorability without sealing the tracheal stoma. The tracheostomy tube device includes a conventional curved hollow tube. The distal end of the tube is adapted for insertion through a tracheal stoma and into the tracheal lumen of a patient's throat. The device further includes an inflatable balloon enveloping a portion of the tube. The balloon has a distal portion substantially centered about and attached to the distal end portion of the tube. The balloon also has a proximal portion attached to the bend region of the tube and positioned substantially off-center relative to the proximal portion of the tube and about the bend region below the proximal plane of the device.

Abstract: There is provided a tracheostomy tube loading catheter with a handle, mid-section, tip portion and guiding catheter portion, where the guiding catheter and tip portions are non-detachably attached to the mid-section, and where the loading catheter has a cannula therethrough.

Abstract: There is provided a device for performing a tracheotomy. The tracheostomy dilator has a body, tip and guiding catheter which are non-detachably attached to each other. The dilator has a cannula sized to accommodate a guide wire. After the trachea has been dilated, the entire device may be removed, leaving only the guide wire in the stoma, and a tracheostomy tube may be inserted over the guide wire and into the trachea. This substantially reduces the number of components and steps required for a successful tracheostomy procedure.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanism for gently detaching a loading catheter from a tracheostomy tube once the tube is placed in the trachea of a patient. After dilating the trachea, a loading catheter is inserted into a tracheostomy tube with which it desirably engages. Once the loading catheter and tracheostomy tube are attached to each other, the entire unit is passed through the stoma until the flange of the tracheostomy tube is in contact with the throat. The loading catheter may then be removed by rotating or twisting the loading catheter handle. The loading catheter and tracheostomy tube have a cam-action mechanism that gently forces the two parts apart as they are rotated relative to each other. This “cam action” disengagement allows for the removal of the loading catheter without subjecting the trachea or throat to undue pressure or forces that might cause trauma or increase recovery time. Other accessories like cannulas and obturators may attach and detach from the tracheostomy tube in a like manner.

Abstract: There is provided an improved tracheostomy tube having a proximal section over-molded by a distal section, where the sections have a differential in the degree of radio-opacity. The radio-opaque material allows a medical professional to determine the location of the tube in the trachea non-invasively, using an x-ray or similar device. In addition, aligning the top (proximal end) of the balloon with the transition between the distal and proximal sections of the tube allows a medical professional to know the exact location of the balloon. The length of the proximal section may be set so that the balloon is place in a pre-determined position so that the transition point between the distal and proximal sections may be used as a position indicator.

Abstract: There is provided a device for performing an initial piercing and dilating of a patient's trachea. The device has a needle within and extending beyond a sheath which in turn is within and extends beyond an introducer dilator. After the needle is used to pierce the trachea, it may be removed and a guide wire (J-wire) inserted through the introducer dilator and sheath in its place. The sheath is slidable within the introducer dilator once the needle is removed. The introducer dilator is then moved forward, into the site of the initial piercing to expand it. As the introducer dilator is moved forward, the sheath may remain stationary, sliding within the introducer dilator and thus reducing trauma to the stoma site.

Abstract: There is provided a balloon cuffed tracheostomy tube with a balloon designed so as to enhance the tube's anchorability without sealing the tracheal stoma and to allow for an easier insertion into the trachea than a comparable tube with a thicker balloon. The tracheostomy tube device includes a conventional hollow tube having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a bend region intermediate of the end portions. The distal end portion of the tube is arranged for insertion through a patient's throat and tracheal stoma and into the tracheal lumen. The device further includes an inflatable balloon enveloping a portion of the tube. More particularly, the balloon is equal to or less than 30 microns in thickness, allowing for a greater ease of insertion and insertion through a smaller stoma opening, than a comparable tube with a balloon having a thickness greater than 30 microns.

Abstract: There is provided a balloon cuffed tracheostomy tube with a balloon designed so as to enhance the tube's anchorability without sealing the tracheal stoma. The tracheostomy tube device includes a conventional curved hollow tube. The distal end of the tube is adapted for insertion through a tracheal stoma and into the tracheal lumen of a patient's throat. The device further includes an inflatable balloon enveloping a portion of the tube. The balloon has a distal portion substantially centered about and attached to the distal end portion of the tube. The balloon also has a proximal portion attached to the bend region of the tube and positioned substantially off-center relative to the proximal portion of the tube and about the bend region below the proximal plane of the device.