Mallinckrodt, Inc.

John O'Mahony

David Frigger

John Zowtiak

An in-line phonation valve system including a valve body having first and second ends through which gas passes into and out of the valve body. The first end is connectable to a breathing tube connected to a patient's airway, for passage of gas between the breathing tube and the valve body. The second end of the valve body is connectable to a gas line. A diaphragm-valve assembly is provided which includes a one-way valve having a phonation position permitting gas to pass through said valve body toward said patient when said patient inhales. The one-way valve in the phonation position substantially prevents gas from passing through the valve body when the patient exhales. The diaphragm-valve assembly is movable out of the phonation position, so as to permit substantially free flow of gas through the valve body both toward and away from the patient when the patient respectively inhales and exhales. The diaphragm-valve assembly is movable from the phonation position without disconnecting the first end from the breathing tube and the second end from the gas line. Preferably, the diaphragm-valve assembly is a removable cartridge which is replaceable with a free-flowing ring cartridge insert.

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Carlsbad, CA, United States of America

John O'Mahony