An adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a housing having a first opening that is adapted to open to a tracheostoma and a second opening that opens to ambient. The housing includes a lower housing portion defining the first opening and an upper housing portion movably attached to the lower housing portion and defining the second opening. A closure member is disposed in the housing and adapted to close the second opening. A flexible membrane includes a first region connected to the closure member and a plurality of spiral shaped legs extending from the first region and connected to the housing. The upper and lower housings are axially adjustable relative to one another to adjust an amount of air flow through the valve that would cause closure of the closure member. A heat and moisture exchanger is disposed in the housing between the first opening and the second opening.

The present invention relates to a tracheal coupling comprising a patient port 33, an outlet port 36, an inlet port 31 between the patient port and the outlet port, such that flow 34 from the inlet port can go to the patient port or direct to the outlet port, and a flow restriction e.g. 32 between the inlet port and the outlet port, or at the outlet port.

Systems slow breathing with positive pressure therapy. In embodiments, a current interim breathing rate target is set, and periodically magnitude of a variable pressure waveform scaled to the current interim breathing rate target is increased if breathing rate is greater than the interim rate target to lengthen breath duration. The magnitude of the pressure increase may be a function of the difference between the interim rate target and the breathing rate. The interim rate target may be reduced in response to slowing breathing rate. The waveform cycles, inhalation to exhalation, when airflow decreases to a cycle threshold. Different interim rate targets have different cycle threshold functions that allow easier cycling as the interim rate targets decrease. Similarly, the waveform triggers, exhalation to inhalation, when airflow increases to a trigger threshold. Different interim rate targets have different trigger threshold functions that allow easier triggering as the interim rate targets decrease.

An adjustable base plate for use with a tracheotomy stoma includes a flexible membrane and a base component having an accessory mounting portion disposed in a center of the flexible membrane and adapted to mount a tracheostoma accessory. The base plate defines a conically shaped region formed by a plurality of conforming members extending radially from the accessory mounting portion that are laterally spaced from one another and connected to one another by a plurality of web portions formed by the flexible membrane. An adhesive material is applied to the flexible membrane.

A medical appliance for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, the appliance comprising: a biasing member for inserting behind and exerting a force upon the patient's soft palate or tongue, wherein the biasing member is inserted in a reduced or minimized form and then expanded or firms once in place to exert the force. The appliance may be nasally inserted or be placed through the mouth. In a particular configuration, both the soft palate and tongue are biased to prevent obstruction of the flow of air in the nasopharyngeal airway.

A heat and moisture exchanger (IO) for tracheostomized or laryn-gectomized patients, having a valve plate and a housing, wherein: the valve plate has a radially surrounding lip, and the housing comprises a valve seat which encloses a distal opening of the housing, the valve seat has a groove for receiving the lip, the valve plate is associated with the distal opening of the housing, and the valve plate can be moved into a closed position in which the lip engages in the groove.

A tracheostoma valve to be applied to a tracheostomized person's neck comprises an air passage to be connected with the tracheostoma for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve member is provided in the air passage, wherein the valve member is normally open and allows for inhalation and exhalation through the air passage. The valve further comprises a manually activated member for establishing an uninterrupted seal to block patient exhalation, thereby to direct it to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx

Apparatus for enabling speech while a tracheostomy tube is in place includes a tracheostomy tube 1 with a vocalisation gas lumen 15 extending along its length and opening at one end externally of the tube above the sealing cuff 10 in the trachea T. A ventilator 2 is connected to the main bore 3 of the tube 1 to supply ventilation gas cyclically to the patient. The ventilator 2 also has an auxiliary outlet 29 connected to the vocalisation gas lumen 15. The auxiliary outlet 29 supplies vocalisation gas to the vocalisation gas lumen 15 only during the expiratory phases of ventilation. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a separate supply 50 of vocalisation gas connected with the vocalisation gas lumen 15 via a valve 52. The valve 52 is controlled by pressure in the main gas supply tubing 31 so that the valve is opened to enable the supply of vocalisation gas only during the expiratory phases of ventilation.

An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

A heat and moisture exchanger (IO) for tracheostomized or laryn-gectomized patients, having a valve plate and a housing, wherein: the valve plate has a radially surrounding lip, and the housing comprises a valve seat which encloses a distal opening of the housing, the valve seat has a groove for receiving the lip, the valve plate is associated with the distal opening of the housing, and the valve plate can be moved into a closed position in which the lip engages in the groove.