Tracheotomy tube

Claim 2

A tracheotomy tube for insertion through an incision in the patient''s neck into the trachea to support breathing, comprising: an outer cannula having a first end for placement within said trachea and a second end for placement outside said trachea, said outer cannula curved through an arc between said first and second ends; an inner cannula inserted into the bore of said outer cannula, said inner cannula being removable from said outer cannula so as to permit removal of obstructions from the tracheotomy tube; and an elongated inflatable cuff surrounding said first end of the outer cannula and permanently affixed thereto, said cuff when inflated in the trachea being adapted to engage the inner wall of the trachea to form a seal between the tube and the trachea, said cuff including means to cause it to inherently form a substantially cylindrical configuration when inflated and unrestrained, with the result that the sealing force against the trachea is substantially uniform along the cylindrical cuff length, so that a low pressure seal is provided which avoids localized pressure on the trachea and prevents necrosis of the trachea tissue.

Claim 3

A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 1 including a cuff inflation line carried by said outer cannula extending substantially flush thereagainst for an extent from a point communicating within said interior of said cuff to a point adjacent said second end of said cannula outside of said trachea.

Claim 4

A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 1 wherein said tube further includes a neck flange mounted at said second end of said outer cannula for positioning outside said trachea, said neck flange being mounted for free pivotal motion between first and second angular positions relative to said outer cannula to permit a slight movement of said outer cannula when inserted into said trachea.

Claim 5

A tracheotomy tube for insertion through a patient''s neck into the trachea to support breathing comprising: a cannula having a first end for placement within said trachea and a second end for placement outside said trachea; and a flange pivotally connected to said second end so that said flange is freely rotatably adjustable between first and second angular positions relative said cannula about said pivot to fit flush against various neck anatomies, said flange providing free pivotable support of said cannula when said cannula is located within said trachea.

Claim 6

A tracheotomy tube for insertion through a patient''s neck into the trachea to support breathing comprising: a cannula having a first end for placement within said trachea and a second end for placement outside said trachea; and a flange pivotally connected to said second end so that said flange is freely rotatably adjustable between first and second angular positions relative said cannula about said pivot to fit flush against various neck anatomies, said flange providing free pivotable support of said cannula when said cannula is located within said trachea.

Claim 7

A tracheotomy tube for insertion into the trachea comprising: an outer cannula, having a first end and a second end, said outer cannula comprising a cylindrical tubing having an arc of approximately 70* between its ends; a first connector attached to said second end of said outer cannula; an inner cannula adapted to fit within said outer cannula and having a first end and a second end, said inner cannula comprising a cylindrical tubing of smaller diameter than said outer cannula and having an arc of approximately 70* between its ends; a second connector rotatably mounted on said second end of said inner cannula; means on said first and second connectors for maintaining said connectors together; sealing means permanently affixed to said outer cannula adjacent said first end thereof for sealing said outer cannula within said trachea, having a radius larger than that of the outside of said outer cannula and having two ends, each of which project outwardly from the surface of said outer cannula, said two ends separated by a finite length along the axis of said outer cannula; and a swivel neck flange mounted on said first connector so that said flange is freely rotatably adjustable between first and second angular positions relative said outer cannula to fit flush against various neck anatomies, said flange including means for receiving a strap for securing said tracheotomy tube to the neck of a patient, said flange pivotally supporting said outer cannula when said outer cannula is within said trachea.

Claim 8

A tracheotomy tube for insertion into the trachea comprising: an outer cannula, having a first end and a second end, said outer cannula comprising a cylindrical tubing having an arc of approximately 70* between its ends; a first connector attached to said second end of said outer cannula; an inner cannula adapted to fit within said outer cannula and having a first end and a second end, said inner cannula comprising a cylindrical tubing of smaller diameter than said outer cannula and having an arc of approximately 70* between its ends; a second connector rotatably mounted on said second end of said inner cannula; means on said first and second connectors for maintaining said connectors together; sealing means permanently affixed to said outer cannula adjacent said first end thereof for sealing said outer cannula within said trachea, having a radius larger than that of the outside of said outer cannula and having two ends, each of which project outwardly from the surface of said outer cannula, said two ends separated by a finite length along the axis of said outer cannula; and a swivel neck flange mounted on said first connector so that said flange is freely rotatably adjustable between first and second angular positions relative said outer cannula to fit flush against various neck anatomies, said flange including means for receiving a strap for securing said tracheotomy tube to the neck of a patient, said flange pivotally supporting said outer cannula when said outer cannula is within said trachea.