GB2348811A

GB2348811A - Airflow control device

Info

Publication number: GB2348811A
Application number: GB9908448A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Frank John Donovan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-13
Filing date: 1999-04-13
Publication date: 2000-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-13
Also published as: GB2348811B; GB9908448D0

Abstract

The device 100 is warn externally with aperture 114 located adjacent a stoma in the wearer's neck. Aperture 116 is located a short distance below the underside of a wearer's jaw. The wearer can close off the stoma from the external atmosphere by lowering his chin to close off aperture 116. A portion of the device 100 may be deformable such that movement of the wearer's head or neck deforms the flowpath 112 into a closed condition. The device 100 may be elongated so that aperture 116 is in the vicinity of, and can be controlled by, the wearer's mouth.

Description

AIRFLOW CONTROL DEVICE This invention relates to an airflow control device, in particular, a tracheal stoma valve such as used by certain persons to facilitate speech.

There are known surgical procedures which result in the patient being left with a hole or stoma in the neck through which they breathe, bypassing the mouth. In order for such persons to speak, they must temporarily block the stoma to cause air expelled from the lungs to pass through the region which normally contains the voice box and out of the mouth. This is commonly achieved by the user placing a hand or digit over the stoma.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved tracheal stoma valve.

According to one aspect, the invention consists in a device for fitting externally to a user's neck, the device having a flow path between first and second apertures, such that, when the first aperture is located adjacent a stoma in a user's airway, the flow path can be opened and closed by movement of the user's head or neck.

Preferably, the second aperture is located beneath the users chin so that it is normally open, but is closed by contact with the chin when the user tilts their head forward.

In another embodiment, the device extends below the user's chin and is arranged such that movement of the head or neck of a user will deform the flow path so as to alter its state of occlusion. At least a portion of the flow path may be deformable in order to achieve this.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of controlling an air flow using a device comprising a flow path between first and second apertures, the method comprising the steps of positioning the device so that the first aperture is adjacent a stoma in a user's airway and varying the state of occlusion of the flow path by movement of the user's head or neck. A device of this kind has several potential benefits. Since the device is capable of hands-free operation, it may confer greater freedom on a user (hands-free operation may also enhance the confidence of a person having a stoma). The device can offer improved hygiene in that the user does not have to apply a hand or digit to cover the stoma for speech, air reaching the lungs via the device may be warmed during traversal of the flow path due to the device absorbing heat from the user (this can reduce the chance of disease or infection), and the flow path may serve to trap dust or other particles or contaminants in inhaled air. The device is also easily removable for cleaning. Furthermore, the flow path, which is in communication with the speech forming anatomical features of the user, may enhance the acoustic quality of the speech produced by the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises securement means for holding the device adjacent a stoma in a user's neck.

Preferably, the second aperture is located relative to the first such that, in use, it faces a surface of the head or neck. Advantageously, the second aperture, when the device is in use, faces the under surface of the user's jaw.

Preferably, the device is moulded to conform to at least some of the contours of the surfaces of the user's body which it will contact when positioned adjacent a stoma.

In a further embodiment, the state of occlusion of the second aperture is controlled by the user's mouth. This arrangement may prove useful for swimming.

Advantageously, the state of occlusion of the second aperture is varied by movement of a user's head or neck to deform the flow path or by movement of a body surface relative to the second aperture.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an air flow control device; Figure 2 is a section through the device of Figure 1; and Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the device of Figures 1 and 2 in use.

Figures 1 and 2 show an air flow control device 100 comprising a body 110 which defines a flow path 112 between a first aperture 114 and a second aperture 116 in the body 110. The body 110 is made from, for example, a pliable material such as rubber or plastics. A ring seal 118 is provided at aperture 114 and may be integral with or attached to the body 110 at the aperture 114.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the air flow control device 100 in use. The air flow control device 100 is placed against the neck 200 of a person having a stoma 210. It will be appreciated that the device is proportioned such that when aperture 114 is located adjacent a user's stoma 210, then the aperture 116 is located a short distance below the underside of the user's jaw 220. The surface 120 of the device 100 which faces the user's neck 200 is shaped to generally conform with the contours of the neck to provide a comfortable and unobtrusive fit. Preferably, the device is made of a material which is comfortable to wear and which is, to a certain extent, pliant.

The device 100 can be held in position in a number of ways. Adhesive tape could be used to maintain the device 100 in position. Alternatively, and more preferably, the body 110 of the device 100 is provided with a strap which encircles the user's neck and which is secured using hook and eye fixing material which ensures quick release in emergencies.

It will be noted that ring seal 118 serves to connect the user's airway with the flow path 112 via the stoma 210 and, at the same time, to allow the user's airway to communicate with the external atmosphere only via aperture 116.

As shown in Figure 3, the user is capable of respiring by inhaling and exhaling by way of aperture 116. Figure 4 shows the disposition of the device 100 when the user wishes to speak. By movement of the head and/or neck, the user's jaw 220 is lowered so that its underside closes or substantially obstructs aperture 116. Thus, when the user exhales to form speech, the air from the lungs passes by way of the throat and mouth, passing over speech forming anatomical features en route. In this position, the flow path 112 forms, to a greater or lesser extent depending upon the degree of closure of aperture 116, a cavity which is connected to the user's airway via aperture 114, and this cavity or quasi cavity may function as a resonator to enhance the formation of speech. When the user has ceased speaking, the jaw 220 is lifted from aperture 116 to enable breathing once more as in Figure 3.

In a further embodiment, the upper extent of device which defines the portion of the flow path 112 proximate the second aperture 116 is elongated and extends slightly along the underside of a user's jaw. The material of the device according to this embodiment is, at least in this portion, resiliently deformable so that downward motion of the jaw causes deformation of the flow path which at least partially closes it, preferably at a point adjacent the aperture 116.

In yet a further embodiment, the device is elongated so that aperture 116 is in the vicinity of, and can be controlled by, the mouth, providing an embodiment which can be used when swimming.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for fitting externally to a user's neck, the device having a flow path between first and second apertures, such that, when the first aperture is located adjacent a stoma in a user's airway, the flow path can be opened and closed by movement of the user's head or neck.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second aperture is located beneath the users chin so that it is normally open, but is closed by contact with the chin when the user tilts their head forward.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the state of occlusion of the second aperture is varied by movement of a user's head or neck to deform the flow path or by movement of a body surface relative to the second aperture.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device extends below the user's chin and is arranged such that movement of the head or neck of a user will deform the flow path so as to alter its state of occlusion.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein a portion of the device defining the flowpath is deformable such that movement of the head or neck of the user will deform the flowpath so as to alter its state of occlusion.
6. A device according to any preceding claims, wherein the second aperture is located relative to the first such that, in use, it faces a surface of the head or neck.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the second aperture, when the device is in use, faces the under surface of the user's jaw.
8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the state of occlusion of the second aperture is controlled by the user's mouth.
9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is moulded to conform to at least some of the contours of the surfaces of the user's body which it will contact when positioned adjacent a stoma.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises securement means for holding the device adjacent a stoma in a user's neck.
11. A device for fitting externally to a user's neck substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying figures.
12. A method of controlling an air flow using a device comprising a flow path between first and second apertures, the method comprising the steps of positioning the device so that the first aperture is adjacent a stoma in a user's airway and varying the state of occlusion of the flow path by movement of the user's head or neck.
13. A method of controlling an airflow substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying figures.

13. A method of controlling an airflow substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying figures.

Amendments to the claims have been filez as follows CLAIMS 1. A device for fitting externally to a user's neck, the device having a flow path between first and second apertures, wherein the flow path is arranged such that, when the first aperture is located adjacent a stoma in a user's airway, the flow path can be opened and closed by movement of the user's head or neck.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second aperture is located beneath the users chin so that it is normally open, but is closed by contact with the chin when the user tilts their head forward.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the state of occlusion of the second aperture is varied by movement of a user's head or neck to deform the flow path or by movement of a body surface relative to the second aperture.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device extends below the user's chin and is arranged such that movement of the head or neck of a user will deform the flow path so as to alter its state of occlusion.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein a portion of the device defining the flowpath is deformable such that movement of the head or neck of the user will deform the flowpath so as to alter its state of occlusion.

6. A device according to any preceding claims, wherein the second aperture is located relative to the first such that, in use, it faces a surface of the head or neck.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the second aperture, when the device is in use, faces the under surface of the user's jaw.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the state of occlusion of the second aperture is controlled by the user's mouth.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is moulded to conform to at least some of the contours of the surfaces of the user's body which it will contact when positioned adjacent a stoma.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises securement means for holding the device adjacent a stoma in a user's neck.

11. A device for fitting externally to a user's neck substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying figures.

12. A method of controlling an air flow using a device according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of positioning the device so that the first aperture is adjacent a stoma in a user's airway and varying the state of occlusion of the flow path by movement of the user's head or neck.