System for assisting a patient in speaking, comprising at least one ventilation apparatus and a patient interface, the ventilation apparatus comprising at least one controllable respiratory gas source and being designed to identify two or more respiratory phases, at least inspiration and expiration, of the patient, and the patient interface having at least one speaking tube and a respiratory tube and being configured to conduct speaking gas to the patient via the speaking tube and to conduct respiratory gas to and/or from the patient via the respiratory tube. The system is configured to provide speaking gas to the patient at least temporarily in a speaking mode in order to enable speaking.

An attachment for a tracheal cannula, the attachment surrounding a cavity, the attachment being open both in a coupling area of the attachment as well as in an orifice area of the attachment, differing in location from the coupling area, for providing an access to the cavity, the attachment having in the coupling area a latching formation, which is designed for the releasable connection to a mating latching formation of the tracheal cannula, the coupling area surrounding a section of the cavity, the section of the cavity surrounded by the coupling area being centrally penetrated by a virtual coupling axis, the coupling axis defining an axial direction along its path, defining a plurality of radial directions orthogonally to its path and defining a circumferential direction running around it, the coupling area having at least one support section, on which the latching formation and a force application area are situated in such a way that by exerting an actuating force on the force application area in the radial direction toward the coupling axis, the support section is displaceable between two positions of different radial distance of the latching formation situated on the support section from the coupling axis; the force application area and the latching formation displaceable by an exertion of force on the force application area of the same support section are situated along the coupling axis at an axial distance from each other.

A catheter mount is configured to be attached to a respiratory apparatus. The catheter mount includes a plurality of ports in fluid communication with each other. The plurality of ports include an interface port configured to connect to an interface tube, a conduit port configured to connect to a conduit tube, and at least one suction port configured to allow insertion of a suction catheter. The at least one suction port can be positioned to allow the suction catheter, when inserted, access to both the interface port and conduit port.

Unwinding a portion of a support helix that comprises a heating wire from a wall of a hose at an end of the hose; sleeving a length of heatshrink tubing at least partly onto the unwound portion of the support helix; heating the heatshrink tubing to shrink onto at least part of the unwound portion of the support helix; and at an end of the unwound portion, directly connecting the heating wire to an electrical contact of an electrical connector.

A tracheostoma device holder (10) for holding a tracheostoma device to a tracheostoma of a person is provided. The tracheostoma device holder (10) comprises a head portion (50) for engaging with a tracheostoma device and a fixation portion (20) for fixating the tracheostoma device holder (10) to the tracheostoma of the person. At least a portion of the fixation portion (20) is provided with a deformable material (60).

A medical securement device for use in securing a medical tube to a patient. The securement device includes a flat base having a top surface, a bottom surface configured to contact a skin surface of the patient, and a central circular opening formed in the flat base. The securement device further includes a cylindrical wall with an outer surface, an inner surface configured for placement adjacent the medical tube, a bottom end surrounding the central circular opening, a top end located opposite the bottom end. Adhesive is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall and is configured to fix the medical tube at a selected position within the cylindrical wall such that a selected length of the medical tube extends below the bottom surface of the flat base.

A method of reducing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia by decontaminating the oropharynx using a safe, antimicrobial light-emitting device.

A tracheostomy collar is described herein having a number of features providing ease of use in caring for a tracheostomy and securing a tracheostomy tube inserted therein.

A valve assembly for adjustably regulating communication with medical tubing applied to a patient including a housing having a hollow interior and a primary connector interconnecting the medical tubing to the hollow interior. First and second ports are attached to and movable with a closure segment, concurrently and alternately, between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The concurrent and alternate disposition of the first and second ports comprising each disposed in the open orientation concurrent to the other disposed in the closed orientation. The open orientation of each of said first and second ports comprising disposition thereof in communicating relation with the medical tubing, via said hollow interior and said primary connector.

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.