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A tracheal “hocker” valve
A Tracheal
“Hacker”
Valve
EDGAR M. HOUSEPIAN,M.D., New York, New York
From tbe Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Tbe Neurological Institute, Presbyterian Hospital, New York.
T one-way
HE instrument
described herein is a simple breathing vaIve which can be attached to a tracheotomy cannuIa for the purpose of aIIowing inspiration through the tracheostomy and expiration through the trachea and Iarynx. When a tracheotomy tube is of a proper size, it is possibIe to “stopper” the tube prior to its removal, allowing the patient a period of reeducation in clearing secretions from the oropharynx and permitting him to vocaIize. Certain patients have diffkuIty in this transitional period. They may be apprehensive about resuming a norma exchange through
the pharynx, larynx and trachea, or they may actuaIIy be unabIe to do so because of diffkuky in coughing up or swalIowing pharyngeal secretions. The incorporation of a simple, removabIe, one-way breathing vaIve into the tracheostomy tube aIIows unobstructed inspiration and an opportunity to expire via normal passageways, permitting training in the handling of secretions, coughing and vocaIizing. The last factor may be extremeIy important in maintaining morale in a patient who is subjected to tracheostomy for a proIonged period. The foregoing is one method of achieving this desired respiratory cycle. It incorporates a simpIe flutter-vaIve in a removable housing which can be easiIp removed from a standard tracheotomy “inner tube” allowing all parts
Fig. 3 Fig.4
Housepian to be brushed and sterilized; however, any oneway valve arrangement will serve the purpose. Figures I and 2 are side and front views respectively of a standard tracheotomy tube with an attached one-way “hacker” vaIve.* Figure 3 is a line drawing of the component parts of such a valve, in this instance employing a flutter-valve principle. Figure 4A is a side and end view of a screw attachment for a standard tracheotomy inner-tube. Figure 4B represents similar views of a fluted washer designed to allow circulation of air around (4C) a teflon diaphragm. Figure 4D is a side and end view of the outer housing for the component parts. This housing is joined to the tracheal
inner-tube by the illustrated threads. In addition, the diameter of the terminal port of this housing corresponds to the diameter of the raised ring on the fluted washer, allowing optimal circulation of air through the Iatter no matter how the sealing diaphragm falIs against said washer or entry port. In summary, a simpIe, one-way breathing valve is herein described, which may be attached to a standard, well litted tracheotomy cannula allowing inspiration via the tracheostomy and permitting expiration through the norma passages (i.e., trachea, larynx and pharynx).
* PiIot mode1 made SeIImer, New York.
Acknowledgment: I wish to Joseph Ransohoff for his support.
by Alex
Halis
and
Frederick
734
thank
Dr.
“Hacker”
Valve
EDGAR M. HOUSEPIAN,M.D., New York, New York
From tbe Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Tbe Neurological Institute, Presbyterian Hospital, New York.
T one-way
HE instrument
described herein is a simple breathing vaIve which can be attached to a tracheotomy cannuIa for the purpose of aIIowing inspiration through the tracheostomy and expiration through the trachea and Iarynx. When a tracheotomy tube is of a proper size, it is possibIe to “stopper” the tube prior to its removal, allowing the patient a period of reeducation in clearing secretions from the oropharynx and permitting him to vocaIize. Certain patients have diffkuIty in this transitional period. They may be apprehensive about resuming a norma exchange through
the pharynx, larynx and trachea, or they may actuaIIy be unabIe to do so because of diffkuky in coughing up or swalIowing pharyngeal secretions. The incorporation of a simple, removabIe, one-way breathing vaIve into the tracheostomy tube aIIows unobstructed inspiration and an opportunity to expire via normal passageways, permitting training in the handling of secretions, coughing and vocaIizing. The last factor may be extremeIy important in maintaining morale in a patient who is subjected to tracheostomy for a proIonged period. The foregoing is one method of achieving this desired respiratory cycle. It incorporates a simpIe flutter-vaIve in a removable housing which can be easiIp removed from a standard tracheotomy “inner tube” allowing all parts
Fig. 3 Fig.4
Housepian to be brushed and sterilized; however, any oneway valve arrangement will serve the purpose. Figures I and 2 are side and front views respectively of a standard tracheotomy tube with an attached one-way “hacker” vaIve.* Figure 3 is a line drawing of the component parts of such a valve, in this instance employing a flutter-valve principle. Figure 4A is a side and end view of a screw attachment for a standard tracheotomy inner-tube. Figure 4B represents similar views of a fluted washer designed to allow circulation of air around (4C) a teflon diaphragm. Figure 4D is a side and end view of the outer housing for the component parts. This housing is joined to the tracheal
inner-tube by the illustrated threads. In addition, the diameter of the terminal port of this housing corresponds to the diameter of the raised ring on the fluted washer, allowing optimal circulation of air through the Iatter no matter how the sealing diaphragm falIs against said washer or entry port. In summary, a simpIe, one-way breathing valve is herein described, which may be attached to a standard, well litted tracheotomy cannula allowing inspiration via the tracheostomy and permitting expiration through the norma passages (i.e., trachea, larynx and pharynx).
* PiIot mode1 made SeIImer, New York.
Acknowledgment: I wish to Joseph Ransohoff for his support.
by Alex
Halis
and
Frederick
734
thank
Dr.