Patent ID: RE41345

Claim:
In combination , an outer cannula having a first port for orienting outside the neck of a wearer, a second port for orienting within the trachea of the wearer and a first passageway coupling the first port to the second port to permit the flow of gases from the first port to the second during inhalation by the wearer and from the second port during exhalation by the wearer, a third port between the first and second ports, and an inner wearer for insertion into the first passageway via the first port when the wearer desires to be able to exhale through the wearer's pharynx, the inner cannula including a fourth port for orienting adjacent the first port, a fifth port for orienting adjacent the second port and a second passageway coupling the fourth port to the fifth port to permit the flow of gases from the fourth port to through the fifth during inhalation by the wearer and preventing the flow of gases from the fifth fourth port during exhalation by the wearer, a valve controlling flow through the third port, the valve assuming a first orientation to permit flow from the first fourth port to the second fifth port when the first fourth port is at a higher pressure than the second fifth port, and a second orientation to permit prevent flow from the second fourth port through the third port when the second fifth port is at a higher pressure than the first fourth port.