A voice prosthesis insertion device includes an elongated body having an aperture therein extending axially along the elongated body. The elongated body includes a ring member at one end that is supported by a pair of straps. The elongated body has at least one region that is increasing in cross section. The elongated body further having a collapsible portion defined by a pair of openings in the elongated body. A rod is disposed in the aperture of the elongated body and including a peg adapted to be inserted into an aperture of a tether of a voice prosthesis device. The collapsible portion of the elongated body is flexible to allow the collapsible portion to be longitudinally collapsed to expose the peg of the rod for easy engagement with the strap of the voice prosthesis and the collapsible portion is extendable from the collapsed position to extend over the peg.

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 voice prosthesis is provided for insertion into a fistula opening in a tracheoesophageal wall. The voice prosthesis includes a tubular elastomeric body having a central passage therein and having a valve seat on one end thereof. A pair of flanges each extending radially outwardly from opposite ends of the tubular elastomeric body. An umbrella shaped valve is disposed in at least a portion of the tubular elastomeric body, the umbrella shaped valve engaging the valve seat in a normal state and the umbrella shaped valve flexing upward in an open actuated state. The umbrella shaped valve can further be supported by a flexible web. The floating umbrella shaped valve engages the valve seat in a normal state and is movable to an open position in an actuated state wherein the flexible web flexes to allow movement of the valve.

To achieve the object of making available an insertion aid for a voice prosthesis, which insertion aid can be used universally and permits a secure hold on the voice prosthesis, such an insertion aid is proposed comprising a rod-shaped device with a head region arranged at a first end of a rod, said head region comprising a limit stop element for a voice prosthesis and, adjoining this limit stop element, a locking element for a voice prosthesis, wherein a first ring surface is formed between the limit stop element and the locking element, which ring surface is configured extending radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

An electrolarynx includes a case housing tone-producing circuitry, a power switch to turn on the circuitry, a control button (i.e., a pushbutton) to actuate the power switch, and a pressure-sensitive-resistor (PSR) that is physically coupled to the pushbutton. The tone-producing circuitry is configured to respond to variations in PSR resistance that are caused by a user depressing the pushbutton. User-selected modes, that are selectable in one embodiment with a mode switch, include multiple frequency-varying modes (FVMs) in which the frequency of the electrolarynx tone is varied with different sensitivities to variations in PSR resistance, and multiple volume-varying modes (VVMs) for varying the volume of the electrolarynx tone with different sensitivities. A preferred embodiment provides a nonlinear frequency characteristic that facilitates operation at the low end of the pushbutton-controlled (i.e., PSR-controlled) frequency range, accomplishing same by applying suitable shape factors to frequencies of a linear frequency characteristic.

A speaking valve for use with a tracheostomy and voice prosthesis having a valve element movable by finger pressure between a first position in which the valve allows air to pass through it and a second position in which the passage of air is substantially resisted or prevented. A biasing element such as foam or a spring is provided to bias the valve element towards the first position when no finger pressure is applied. The valve element is arranged such that expiration through the valve at a rate in excess of predetermined rate causes it to move into a third position in which air resistance through the valve is less than when the valve element is in its first position. This allows for air release if e.g. a user should cough.

A shower shield for use with a tracheostoma, having a chamber with a port for connection to a speaking valve or tracheostomy base plate, and a downwardly-facing aperture, and further provided with a resiliently-deformable wall region so that a user's finger pressure on the wall region said region can actuate the speaking valve or occlude a tracheostoma.

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 disclosure relates to voice prosthesis device that enables a laryngectomy patient to speak. The voice prosthesis device has a cylinder including a first end and a second end. An inner washer is attached to the first end and an outer washer is attached to the second end. A partial shutter is coupled to the first end of the cylinder. A shutter guard is placed at the inner part of the inner washer and is fixed to the cylinder. The device further includes plurality of rings. The partial shutter is made of platinum cured silicon and opens relatively to allow exhaled air to pass from the second end to the first end and prevents entry of food particles into the second end.

A voice prosthesis comprising a outer cannula and an inner cannula wherein the outer cannula is generally in the shape of a spool and comprises two flanges connected by a hollow annular stem therebetween, and the inner cannula comprises a proximal flange and a stem configured to fit within a passageway of the stem of the outer cannula. The outer cannula comprises a retaining slot on its outer proximal edge which can be used to rotationally secure an obround inner cannula proximal flange. The inner cannula may also comprise windows for use with retaining nubs disposed on the interior of the outer cannula passageway and an insertion tool having a moveable protrusions.