Attachment Device for a Tracheostoma Valve

Abstract

An attachment device for a tracheostoma valve has a flexible layer structure having a stoma opening therein, and a circumferential flange attached to the flexible layer structure. The flexible layer structure has at least a layer portion that substantially has a funnel shape discharging into the stoma opening. A circumferential attachment area, where the flexible layer structure is attached to the circumferential flange, is situated at a distance from a circumferential edge of the stoma opening. Part of the funnel shape extends between the circumferential attachment area and the circumferential edge of the stoma opening.

1 . An attachment device for attaching and connecting, respectively, a tracheostoma valve to a patient's neck and tracheostoma, the attachment device comprising:
 a flexible layer structure having a stoma opening therein, the flexible layer structure being arranged for attachment to the patient's neck such that the stoma opening is at a location of the patient's tracheostoma; and   a circumferential flange attached to the flexible layer structure, the flange being arranged for connecting the attachment device to the tracheostoma valve,   wherein the flexible layer structure comprises at least a layer portion that substantially has a funnel shape discharging into the stoma opening, and   wherein a circumferential attachment area, where the flexible layer structure is attached to the circumferential flange, is situated at a distance from a circumferential edge of the stoma opening such that part of the funnel shape extends between the circumferential attachment area and the circumferential edge of the stoma opening.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible layer structure has a planform comprising an egg-like shape. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment device according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the egg-like shape comprises a narrow end and a broad end, and   the attachment device is positioned on the patient's neck such that the narrow end is pointing towards the patient's head.   
     
     
         4 . The attachment device according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the flexible layer structure configured to contact the patient's neck comprises a pre-applied adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tracheostoma valve is switchable in response to a spurt of inhalation air from a breathing condition into a speaking condition. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tracheostoma valve is switchable in response to a spurt of exhalation air from a breathing condition into a speaking condition. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible layer structure comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . An attachment device, comprising:
 a flexible layer structure comprising a stoma opening and a layer portion that substantially has a funnel shape discharging into the stoma opening, the flexible layer structure being arranged for attachment to a patient's neck such that the stoma opening is at a location of the patient's tracheostoma; and   a circumferential flange attached to the flexible layer structure at a circumferential attachment area, the circumferential flange being arranged for connecting the attachment device to a tracheostoma valve, wherein the circumferential attachment area is situated at a distance from a circumferential edge of the stoma opening such that part of the funnel shape extends between the circumferential attachment area and the circumferential edge of the stoma opening.   
     
     
         9 . The attachment device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible layer structure comprises a planform having an egg-like shape, the egg-like shape comprising a narrow end and a broad end. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment device of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment device is positioned on the patient's neck such that the narrow end is pointing towards the patient's head. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment device of  claim 8 , wherein a surface of the flexible layer structure configured to contact the patient's neck comprises a pre-applied adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment device of  claim 11 , further comprising a foil configured to cover the surface of the flexible layer structure comprising the pre-applied adhesive, the foil being releasable by the patient to expose the adhesive to attach to the patient's neck. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment device of  claim 8 , wherein the tracheostoma valve is switchable in response to a spurt of inhalation air from a breathing condition into a speaking condition. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment device of  claim 8 , wherein the tracheostoma valve is switchable in response to a spurt of exhalation air from a breathing condition into a speaking condition. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible layer structure comprises an elastomeric material.