Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A voice prosthesis device for placement in a fistula to channel air from a tracheostoma to the esophagus including in combination: a cylindrical housing having a proximal end with strap means extending outwardly therefrom, a distal end, a port therein operatively cooperating with the tracheostoma, with said distal end having a beveled extension integral therewith, one-way valve means including an annular sealing rim positioned perpendicularly within said housing adjacent said distal end and a valve membrane hingedly mounted to said housing on the side thereof adjacent said distal end of said housing to cooperate with said annular sealing rim, and an annular collar means extending outwardly from said housing, said annular collar means adapted to abut against the esophagus tissue when the device has been positioned in the fistula, to retain and hold the device in proper position, such that upon covering the tracheostoma opening, said valve membrane is moved by the channeled air from the closed position against said annular sealing rim to an open position wherein the channeled air enters the esophagus to produce alaryngeal speech by the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A voice prosthesis device for placement in a fistula to channel air from a tracheostoma to the esophagus including in combination: a cylindrical housing having a proximal end with strap means extending outwardly therefrom, a distal end, a port therein operatively cooperating with the tracheostoma, with said distal end having a beveled extension integral therewith, one-way valve means including an annular sealing rim positioned perpendicularly within said housing adjacent said distal end and a valve membrane hingedly mounted to said housing on the side thereof adjacent said distal end of said housing to cooperate with said annular sealing rim, and an annular collar means extending outwardly from said housing, said annular collar means adapted to abut against the esophagus tissue when the device has been positioned in the fistula, to retain and hold the device in proper position, such that upon covering the tracheostoma opening, said valve membrane is moved by the channeled air from the closed position against said annular sealing rim to an open position wherein the channeled air enters the esophagus to produce alaryngeal speech by the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The voice prosthesis device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said annular sealing rim of said valve means further includes a projection extending inwardly toward the center of said housing, said projection cooperating with said valve membrane to maintain the same in alignment against said annular sealing rim when said valve membrane is moved from said open to said closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The voice prosthesis device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said annular collar means is positioned on said cylindrical housing between said port and said valve means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The voice prosthesis device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said valve membrane in said housing is hingedly mounted on the interior thereof for cooperating with said annular sealing rim when in the closed position to seal the same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The voice prosthesis device in accordance with claim 1 wherein about 35 centimeters of water pressure is sufficient to move said valve membrane from said closed to said open position and thereby permit channeled air to pass into the esophagus to produce alaryngeal speech by the patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The voice prosthesis device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cylindrical housing is comprised of medical grade silicone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The voice prosthesis device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said one-way valve means is substantially perpendicularly positioned within said cylindrical housing adjacent to said distal end where said beveled extension is integral therewith, with said beveled extension providing a shield to prevent esophageal matter from impeding the movement of said valve membrane between said closed and said open position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
A placement tool for positioning a voice prosthesis device into a fistula connecting the tracheostoma with the esophagus of the patient, the voice prosthesis device having a cylindrical housing with a one-way valve membrane and an annular sealing rim positioned perpendicularly within the housing, said placement tool including in combination an elongated housing member having a handle portion on one end thereof and a placement portion on the end opposite said handle portion, said placement portion having a shoulder thereon which shoulder engages the annular sealing rim positioned within the housing when the tool is inserted within the cylindrical housing to position the voice prosthesis device within the patient, with said placement portion further including a projecting portion extending beyond said shoulder portion which cooperates with the valve membrane to maintain the valve membrane in perpendicular relationship with respect to the annular sealing rim.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
A placement tool for positioning a voice prosthesis device into a fistula connecting the tracheostoma with the esophagus of the patient, the voice prosthesis device having a cylindrical housing with a one-way valve membrane and an annular sealing rim positioned perpendicularly within the housing, said placement tool including in combination an elongated housing member having a handle portion on one end thereof and a placement portion on the end opposite said handle portion, said placement portion having a shoulder thereon which shoulder engages the annular sealing rim positioned within the housing when the tool is inserted within the cylindrical housing to position the voice prosthesis device within the patient, with said placement portion further including a projecting portion extending beyond said shoulder portion which cooperates with the valve membrane to maintain the valve membrane in perpendicular relationship with respect to the annular sealing rim.