Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Marjory J Greenhalgh

Michael Z Sleva

Brian Joseph Cuevas

Joe Cesa

Joseph A Cesa

Sam C Chan

There is provided a method for performing a tracheotomy. In this method a tracheostomy dilator has a body and a tip which are detachably attached. The tip has a proximal inner portion which is within the body while the tip is attached to the body. The dilator is inserted into the trachea and used to dilate an opening. After the trachea has been dilated, the body may be detached and removed from the tip, the tip remaining partially in the trachea. A dilator loading catheter installed within a tracheostomy tube may be mated with the tip and the tip, loading catheter and tracheostomy tube moved into the trachea. After the tracheostomy tube is installed, the tip and loading catheter may be withdrawn through the tracheostomy tube and the tracheostomy tube placed in service.

Method of performing a tracheostomy

Stoma pad

Dilator handle

Growing community of inventors

Decatur, GA, United States of America

Marjory J Greenhalgh