Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A tracheostomy tube for insertion into the trachea of a patient to support breathing, comprising: An outer cannula having a distal end for placement within the trachea and a proximal end for placement outside of the trachea; a neck flange connected to the proximal end of said outer cannula for securing the tracheostomy tube to the patient; inflatable sealing means near the distal end of said outer cannula for forming a seal with the tracheal walls; a flexible inflation tube extending from within said sealing means and having a portion fixedly secured along the wall of said outer cannula near the proximal end of said outer cannula and said inflation tube further extending unsecured; and means retaining a portion of said unsecured inflation tube at the proximal end of said outer cannula in longitudinal alignment with said secured portion, whereby any pulling force on said inflation tube proximal of said retaining means results is substantially only tensile force on the secured portion of said inflation tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A tracheostomy tube for insertion into the trachea of a patient to support breathing, comprising: An outer cannula having a distal end for placement within the trachea and a proximal end for placement outside of the trachea; a neck flange connected to the proximal end of said outer cannula for securing the tracheostomy tube to the patient; inflatable sealing means near the distal end of said outer cannula for forming a seal with the tracheal walls; a flexible inflation tube extending from within said sealing means and having a portion fixedly secured along the wall of said outer cannula near the proximal end of said outer cannula and said inflation tube further extending unsecured; and means retaining a portion of said unsecured inflation tube at the proximal end of said outer cannula in longitudinal alignment with said secured portion, whereby any pulling force on said inflation tube proximal of said retaining means results is substantially only tensile force on the secured portion of said inflation tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a portion of a flange having an aperture longitudinally aligned with the secured portion and adapted to closely surround said inflation tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 2 wherein said aperture is generally circular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 2 wherein said aperture is generally semi-circular in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 2 wherein a portion of said flange extends generally parallel with said outer cannula whereby the aperture is generally perpendicular to the proximal end of said outer cannula.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 1 wherein said retainer means comprises a generally annular collar having a flange with an aperture aligned with the secured portion and which is adapted to receive said inflation tube, and said collar is attached to the proximal end of said outer cannula.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 6 wherein said collar is further adapted for securing an inner cannula within said outer cannula.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
A tracheostomy tube for insertion into the trachea of a patient to support breathing, comprising: an outer cannula having a tubular wall, a distal end for placement within the trachea and a proximal end for placement outside of the trachea; a neck flange connected to the proximal end of said outer cannula for securing the tracheostomy tube to the patient; an inflatable sealing means near the distal end of said out cannula for forming a seal with the tracheal wall; a flexible inflation tube extending from within said sealing means; said outer cannula having a longitudinal recess in the wall thereof adapted to receive said inflation tube; said inflation tube fixedly secured within said recess near the proximal end of said outer cannula, and said tube further extending unsecured; an annular retaining collar adapted to substantially surround and align a portion of said unsecured inflation tube at the proximal end of said outer cannula, whereby any pulling force on said inflation tube proximal of said retaining collar results in substantially only tensile forces on the secured portion of said inflation tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
181 words
A tracheostomy tube for insertion into the trachea of a patient to support breathing, comprising: an outer cannula having a tubular wall, a distal end for placement within the trachea and a proximal end for placement outside of the trachea; a neck flange connected to the proximal end of said outer cannula for securing the tracheostomy tube to the patient; an inflatable sealing means near the distal end of said out cannula for forming a seal with the tracheal wall; a flexible inflation tube extending from within said sealing means; said outer cannula having a longitudinal recess in the wall thereof adapted to receive said inflation tube; said inflation tube fixedly secured within said recess near the proximal end of said outer cannula, and said tube further extending unsecured; an annular retaining collar adapted to substantially surround and align a portion of said unsecured inflation tube at the proximal end of said outer cannula, whereby any pulling force on said inflation tube proximal of said retaining collar results in substantially only tensile forces on the secured portion of said inflation tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 8 wherein said annular retaining collar includes a flange with an aperture which is aligned with the recess in said outer cannula.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 9 wherein said flange extends generally parallel with said outer cannula whereby the aperture is generally perpendicular to the proximal end of said outer cannula.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 10 wherein said retaining collar is further adapted for securing an inner cannula within said outer cannula.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 11 further comprising a twist-lock inner cannula and said retaining collar is adapted to engage and secure said inner cannula.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tracheostomy tube as in claim 11 further comprising a disposable inner cannula having a pair of securing arms at the proximal end thereof, and said retaining collar includes a pair of distal facing shoulders adapted to engage and secure the arms of said disposable inner cannula.