Patent ID: 8464718

Claim:
A tracheostomy tube assembly, comprising: a cannula comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being adapted to be inserted into a patient's trachea and the proximal end comprising a collar comprising a first slot and a second slot; and a flange member comprising an aperture configured to receive the proximal end of the cannula, a first protrusion adapted to be received by the first slot, and a second protrusion adapted to be received by the second slot, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend into the aperture from opposite surfaces of the flange member, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the flange member are configured to engage with the first slot and the second slot of the cannula to enable the flange member to move with two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the cannula when the tracheostomy tube assembly is positioned for operation such that the distal end of the cannula is inserted into the patient's trachea and the flange member is engaged with the patient's neck to support the tracheostomy tube assembly and maintain the flange member outside of the patient's body, wherein one of the two or more degrees of freedom of movement comprises movement of the flange member longitudinally with respect to the length of the cannula between the distal end and the proximal end of the cannula.