Tracheostomy tube and technique for using the same

Abstract

A molded tracheostomy tube may provide enhanced comfort for a patient. A unitary molded coating over areas of the tracheostomy tube that come into contact with the patient's skin may prevent irritation. Further, the overmolding manufacturing process may allow the tracheostomy tube assembly to incorporate features that allow for greater ease of movement for a patient, such as features that allow flexing at the connection point of the tracheostomy tube to other medical devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tracheostomy tube comprising:
 a cannula comprising a distal end and a flared proximal end, the distal end being adapted to be inserted into a patient's trachea;   a flange member molded over the flared proximal end of the cannula such that the flared proximal end is embedded in the flange and wherein the flange member is configured to support the tracheostomy tube via engagement with the patient's neck to maintain the flange member outside of the patient's trachea; and   a conduit disposed on the flange member in communication with the cannula, wherein the conduit is adapted to operatively connect to a medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , comprising an inflatable cuff disposed on cannula. 
     
     
         3 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a ventilator. 
     
     
         4 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , comprising a disposable cannula lining adapted to be slidably insertable into the cannula. 
     
     
         5 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises a grooved portion adapted to allow the conduit to flex relative to the flange member. 
     
     
         6 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is adapted to be substantially orthogonal relative to the flange member absent any deforming forces. 
     
     
         7 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member comprises a flexible radial section substantially surrounding the conduit adapted to allow the conduit to flex relative to the flange member. 
     
     
         8 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member comprises at least one groove adapted to allow the conduit to flex relative to the flange member. 
     
     
         9 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyvinylchloride, or a polyurethane. 
     
     
         10 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 9 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises at least one of a styrenic block copolymer, thermoplastic vulcanizate alloy, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, ethyl vinyl acetate, elastomer alloy, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is integral with the flange member. 
     
     
         12 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member is permanently coupled to the proximal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         13 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member is chemically bonded to the proximal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         14 . A tracheostomy tube, comprising:
 a cannula having a first passageway extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the cannula, the distal end being configured to be inserted into a trachea;   a conduit having a second passageway being substantially in line with the first passageway at the proximal end of the cannula; and   a flange member that couples the first passageway to the second passageway, wherein the proximal end of the cannula is embedded in the flange member and wherein at least a portion of the conduit is integral with the flange member.   
     
     
         15 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 14 , wherein the flange member is integrally coupled to the proximal end of the cannula via injection molding, insert injection molding, or two-shot molding. 
     
     
         16 . The tracheostomy tube of  claim 14 , wherein the flange member is formed from a material having a lower durometer than a material forming the conduit. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a tracheostomy tube, comprising:
 providing a cannula having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the cannula being configured to be inserted into a trachea;   molding a first material over the proximal end of the cannula to form a flange member, wherein the flange member is configured to support the tracheostomy tube via engagement with a patient's neck to maintain the flange member outside of the trachea; and   forming a conduit having a first passageway being communicatively coupled to the proximal end of the cannula, the conduit being configured to attach to an external medical device, wherein the conduit is formed from a second material.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first material forms the flange member by being molded through one or more perforations. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first material is softer than the second material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal end is flared.