Tracheostomy valve

Claim 2

A tracheostomy valve, comprising a housing having an open first end and an opposite second end, means for mounting the opposite second end of the housing to a tracheal cannula, a cover movably mounted on the housing over said open first end to define a chamber therebetween and adjustable from a first position to at least a second position, a disc-like-element within the housing and cover and arranged for reciprocation therebetween, an air inlet/outlet formed in the cover communicating said chamber with the surrounding atmosphere, said cover including means wherein said inlet/outlet is closed by said disc in the first position of the cover and for allowing a controlled air flow in said second position, said mounting means including air-passage-forming-means on said housing for permanent communication between the tracheal cannula and said chamber formed by the housing and the cover.

Claim 3

A valve according to claim 1, said housing having a cylindrical portion, said cover having a complemental shape receptive of said cylindrical portion, and said cover having a circular member forming one end thereof, said circular member having an off-center opening therein.

Claim 4

A valve according to claim 2, said closing means including an annular valve seat formed around said opening on the side of said cover facing the interior of said housing, and said disc-like element having a ledge complemental to said valve set.

Claim 5

A valve according to claim 3, said valve seat having abutment means for enabling a tight seal between said ledge and said valve seat in said first position, and for enabling controlled ventillation in said second position.

Claim 6

A valve according to claim 19, said abutment means comprising a further ledge of generally uniform radial width surrounding said inlet/outlet.

Claim 7

A valve according to claim 4, said abutment means comprising a further ledge, a portion of which having reduced radial width.

Claim 8

A valve according to claim 6, said portion of said further ledge being at least one notch-shaped region of said valve seat.

Claim 9

A tracheostomy valve, comprising: a housing having an open first end and an opposite second end, means for mounting the opposite second end of the housing to a tracheal cannula, said second end provided with a cylindrical portion, a complementary shaped cover rotatably mounted over said first end to define a chamber with said housing, said cover being rotatable from a first position to a rotated position between the first position and 180° and having an off center air inlet/outlet opening in a circular member forming one end of the cover communicating the chamber with the surrounding atmosphere, disc-like-element within the housing and cover and arranged for reciprocation therebetween, said mounting means including air passage forming means on said housing for permanent communication between the tracheal cannula and the chamber formed by the housing and the cover, and means for closing said inlet/outlet including an annular valve seat formed around the opening on the side of the cover facing the chamber and a complementary ledge on the disc in alignment with said valve seat when said cover is in said first position, said valve seat being provided with abutment means for forming a tight seal between the ledge and the cover in said first position of the cover and for allowing a controlled ventilation in a rotated position of the cover.

Claim 10

A tracheostomy valve, comprising: a housing having an open first end and an opposite second end, means for mounting the opposite second end of the housing to a tracheal cannula, said second end provided with a cylindrical portion, a complementary shaped cover rotatably mounted over said first end to define a chamber with said housing, said cover being rotatable from a first position to a rotated position between the first position and 180° and having an off center air inlet/outlet opening in a circular member forming one end of the cover communicating the chamber with the surrounding atmosphere, disc-like-element within the housing and cover and arranged for reciprocation therebetween, said mounting means including air passage forming means on said housing for permanent communication between the tracheal cannula and the chamber formed by the housing and the cover, and means for closing said inlet/outlet including an annular valve seat formed around the opening on the side of the cover facing the chamber and a complementary ledge on the disc in alignment with said valve seat when said cover is in said first position, said valve seat being provided with abutment means for forming a tight seal between the ledge and the cover in said first position of the cover and for allowing a controlled ventilation in a rotated position of the cover.

Claim 11

A valve as in claim 8, wherein said abutment means comprises a further ledge surrounding said outlet.

Claim 12

A valve as in claim 9, wherein said further ledge has at least one portion of reduced radial width.

Claim 13

A valve as in claim 9, wherein said further ledge has a radial width providing gradually increasing outflow of air when rotating said cover.

Claim 14

A valve as in claim 8, wherein said disc like element is manufactured from a relatively softer material than the rest of the valve.

Claim 15

A valve as in claim 8, wherein said disc-like element is provided with notches at the marginal edge thereof.

Claim 16

A valve as in claim 8, wherein said cylindrical portion of said cover is terminated by a hook type end portion gripping said housing.

Claim 17

A valve as in claim 14, wherein said cylindrical portion is provided with slots.

Claim 18

A valve as in claim 8, wherein said inlet/outlet is provided with a grid structure.