Patent ID: 7341061
Filing Date: 2008-03-11
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A tracheostomy system, comprising: a needle and wire guide assembly adapted for percutaneous insertion through an incision into a lumen of a trachea of a patient; a dilator comprising a flexible tubular body terminating at its distal end in a tapered portion attached to said wire guide assembly; a radially variable diameter tracheostomy tube having a coiled tubular passageway to receive said dilator for radial expansion of radially variable diameter tracheostomy tube; a plurality of fenestrations, formed in a surface of the radially variable diameter tracheostomy tube and aligned with each other at a predetermined diameter of the radially variable diameter tracheostomy tube, forming a passageway through the surface of the radially variable diameter tracheostomy tube; a cannula having a tubular cross-section, and distal and proximal ends, to provide an airway, said cannula being substantially rigid and curved for insertion into said radially variable diameter tracheostomy tube and being insertable at its distal end into the lumen of the trachea and having a proximal end exposed at the proximal end of the tracheostomy tube for attachment to a ventilator or other medical devices, wherein the variable diameter tracheostomy tube remains positioned in the trachea after insertion to receive various sizes of cannula tubes without removal of the variable diameter tracheostomy tube.