Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A cricothyroidostomy tube for insertion into the larynx of a patient through an opening formed through the front wall of the larynx between the front part of the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage, said tube including a pre-shaped tubular piece which has a first substantially straight section which connects with a patient-end of the tube, an intermediate, curved section and a second substantially straight section which connects with a machine-end of the tube, said two substantially straight tube-sections lying substantially in a common plane, wherein at least that part of the tube which is intended to extend through said opening has a substantially oval shaped external cross-section when seen perpendicularly to the tube axis, wherein the small axis of the oval cross-section is positioned substantially in the curvature plane of the tube, and wherein the external ovality of the oval cross-section is in the region of 1:1.2 to 1:1.35.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A cricothyroidostomy tube for insertion into the larynx of a patient through an opening formed through the front wall of the larynx between the front part of the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage, said tube including a pre-shaped tubular piece which has a first substantially straight section which connects with a patient-end of the tube, an intermediate, curved section and a second substantially straight section which connects with a machine-end of the tube, said two substantially straight tube-sections lying substantially in a common plane, wherein at least that part of the tube which is intended to extend through said opening has a substantially oval shaped external cross-section when seen perpendicularly to the tube axis, wherein the small axis of the oval cross-section is positioned substantially in the curvature plane of the tube, and wherein the external ovality of the oval cross-section is in the region of 1:1.2 to 1:1.35.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein the outer cross-section area of the tube in that part of the tube which is intended to extend through said opening substantially fills the area of said opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein the external ovality is in the range of 1:1.24 to 1:1.30.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tube according to claim 3, wherein a preferred external ovality is about 1:1.24.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tube according to claim 3, wherein a preferred external ovality is about 1:1.27.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate curved section of the tube has an oval cross-sectional shape, and wherein the small axis of the oval cross-sectional shape is positioned in the curvature plane of the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube also has an oval cross-sectional shape within remaining parts of its length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein the machine-end of the tube has permanently attached thereto a connector pipe which forms with the concave curvature of the tube an angle of 20°-30° to the substantially straight machine-end of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein said tube is adapted for bending in the plane of curvature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein said patient-end of the tube comprises an inflatable sealing collar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tube according to claim 1, wherein the entire tube has a substantially oval cross-sectional shape.