Helix Medical, Inc.

Jesse N Nelson

Edmund V Seder

Jeffrey L Goldberg

Juan Madrigal

Juan M Madrigal

A voice prosthesis comprising a tubular body portion, a valve and a valve seat disposed within the body portion. The valve seat is further comprised of a medical grade elastomer containing a dispersion of an antimicrobial agent. This valve seat extends the life of the prosthesis by retarding the growth of microorganisms. The body portion of the prosthesis may also contain an antimicrobial agent at a concentration that is non-toxic to the tissue it contacts.

Antimicrobial indwelling voice prosthesis

A voice prosthesis device includes a barrel defining a passageway, a tracheal flange adjacent a tracheal end of the barrel and an esophageal flange adjacent an esophageal end of the barrel. The passageway includes a first stop extending inwardly from a sidewall of the passageway between the tracheal and esophageal ends and a plurality of second stops extending inwardly from the sidewall of the passageway between the first stop and the esophageal end of the passageway. A valve mechanism is located between the first and second stops and permits flow through the passageway from the tracheal end and impedes flow through the passageway from the esophageal end.

Voice prosthesis device

Microbial growth on the surface of a valve of a voice prosthesis and optionally the cartridge or ring supporting the valve, is inhibited by providing antimicrobial activity at a level sufficient to retard growth of a microbial film by dispersing an inorganic antimicrobial agent such as silver oxide or an organic antimicrobial agent such as triclosan or butyl paraben dispersed in a medical grade silicone elastomer. The valve, ring or cartridge is in contact with body fluids containing microorganisms and nutrients therefor. The antimicrobial surface can interfere with or inhibit the growth of a biofilm, bacterial layer or a yeast layer. The body of the prosthesis may also contain an antimicrobial surface as long as it is non-toxic to the tissue it contacts.

Medical devices having antimicrobial properties

A method for making an elastomeric material containing an antimicrobial composition such as a dispersion of silver oxide that is suitable for implantation within the body. The elastomer made in accordance with this method extends the amount of work-time available for processing the elastomer into an article as compared with the work-time available when using prior art compounding methods.

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Oxnard, CA, United States of America

Jesse N Nelson