Importance

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Abstract

The present invention discloses a sealing cuff for an elongated tubular cannula, for forming an adequate fluid seal between the cannula and a body passageway when the cannula is inserted into the passageway. The sealing cuff comprises a plurality of thin flexible resilient annular slit discs extending generally perpendicularly from the cannula with a rim having a diameter larger than the opening of the body passageway. The slit discs haves a series of slits extending generally radially outwardly to the rim, dividing the disc into annular sectors, so that when the cannula is inserted into the body passageway, each sector can independently bend, overlap and readily conform to the wall of the passageway. The sealing cuff further comprises a plurality of thin flexible resilient annular solid discs extending generally perpendicularly from the cannula and having a diameter smaller than that of the body passageway, and arranged alternately between said slit discs. The discs of the sealing cuff for use on a tracheal tube can be 'D-shaped' to facilitate conforming to the shape of the trachea.

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First Claim