Importance

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Abstract

The specification discloses a tracheostomy tube which includes an outer cannula which has a tubular wall, a distal end for placement within the trachea of a patient and a proximal end for placement outside of the trachea. The outer cannula has an inflatable cuff attached near the distal end thereof for forming a seal with the tracheal wall. A flexible inflation tube extends from within the cuff and has a portion fixedly secured along the wall of the outer cannula to a point that is near, but not at, the proximal end of the outer cannula and further extends unsecured. An annular retaining collar, has a flange with an aperture in longitudinal alignment with the secured portion and which is adapted to receive the inflation tube, and is attached to the proximal end of the outer cannula. The unsecured inflation line is routed through the aperture and is thereby retained by the flange in the collar, whereby any force on the unsecured inflation tube proximal of the collar results in substantially only tensile forces being exerted on the junction of the unsecured portion and the fixedly secured portion of the inflation tube.

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First Claim