Patent ID: 7025784

Claim:
Apparatus for use in a tracheotomy stoma comprising: valve means for controlling fluid communication through the stoma responsive to the tracheal fluid pressure and flow; attaching means for removably attaching said valve means for fluid communication with said stoma; said valve means comprising a collar shaped cylindrical body including means for supporting a flexible, resilient diaphragm at the center of said diaphragm within said cylindrical body; the diaphragm changing in position in response to tracheal pressure and flow; said diaphragm having a first position during normal breathing to provide fluid flow through said valve means; said diaphragm being moved to a second position by voice pressure exhalation to occlude fluid flow through said valve means; said diaphragm being moved to a third position by high tracheal cough pressures to provide fluid flow through said valve means and a voice prosthesis in fluid communication with said valve means for providing voice sounds when said first means is in said second position but not in said first and third positions, said voice prosthesis extending through said tracheotomy stoma and into the esophagus of a patient.