Patent ID: RE43886

Claim:
An apparatus for connecting a respiratory device with a patient, the apparatus comprising: a breathing tube having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be inserted into a trachea of the patient; an inflatable cuff positioned around a portion of the breathing tube; a connection line having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the cuff; a pressurized air reservoir located adjacent to the proximal end of the connection line, the pressurized air reservoir having an adjustable volume; and a valve connected to the pressurized air reservoir and to the proximal end of the connection line, the valve including: a first valve housing portion defining a projection and an entry port associated with an entry differential force chamber and configured to be coupled with a syringe; a second valve housing portion defining a first exit port associated with a first differential force chamber and configured to be coupled with the proximal end of the connection line; a second exit port associated with a second differential force chamber and configured to be coupled with the pressurized air reservoir; and a flexible membrane selectively sealingly separating the first differential force chamber, the second differential force chamber, and the entry differential force chamber from each other, wherein the flexible membrane is configured to selectively connect the first differential force chamber and the second differential force chamber so as to maintain a substantially constant air pressure in the cuff; wherein the flexible membrane defines a first opening and the projection includes a first annular web configured to pretension the flexible membrane towards the first exit port and configured to surround the first opening in the flexible membrane.