Low profile tracheostomy tube assembly

Claim 1

A tracheostomy tube assembly for use with a ventilator system including a ventilator circuit, said assembly comprising: an outer cannula including a hollow tubular body having an open distal end and a proximal end zone including an open proximal end, an inner cannula including a hollow tubular body structured and configured for sliding, fitted receipt within said outer cannula and including a first end zone having an open first end, an opposite open second end and an airflow channel therebetween, said first end zone being structured and disposed to at least partially protrude from said open proximal end of said outer cannula when said inner cannula is fitted therein, a circuit connector head including an open bottom end adapted for interconnection with the ventilator circuit of the ventilator system, and a main face disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said open bottom end and including an open port therethrough and having a locking member, said circuit connector head further including an airflow passage between and in fluid communication with said open bottom end and said open port, said first end zone of said inner cannula including a cutout portion on a bottom half thereof, said cutout portion being structured and configured to facilitate fluid airflow between said airflow passage of said circuit connector head and said airflow channel of said inner cannula, said proximal end zone of said outer cannula including a second cutout portion on a bottom half thereof being sized and configured for mating alignment with said cutout portion on said inner cannula so as to further facilitate fluid airflow between said airflow passage of said circuit connector head and said airflow channel of said inner cannula, and attachment means for fitted attachment of said circuit connector head to said proximal end zone of said outer cannula such that said airflow passage is disposed in fluid communication with said airflow channel of said inner cannula, said attachment means including at least one annular lock ring disposed about said proximal end zone of said outer cannula and including at least one notch formed therein for releasable passage of said corresponding locking member on said main face therethrough, said locking member being structured for locking engagement with an inner surface of said annular lock ring to effectively attach said circuit connector head to said proximal end zone of said outer cannula.