The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 2009
Filed:
May. 06, 2003
Edward B. Madsen, Riverton, UT (US);
Edward B. Madsen, Riverton, UT (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
A respiratory apparatus includes an instrument introduction section that is adapted for introducing an instrument into an artificial airway of a patient. The instrument introduction section has a distal end and a proximal end with an opening that allows for insertion of the instrument into the instrument introduction section. The instrument is movable through a passageway between the distal and proximal ends. The distal end is configured for releasable attachment with an artificial airway structure that is attached to the patient. Further, a valve is located in the instrument introduction section. The valve has a closed position in which the passageway is at least substantially isolated from the artificial airway of the patient when the instrument is present and is proximal from the valve. The valve at least substantially blocks the passageway of the instrument introduction section when the valve is in the closed position. The valve also has an open position that allows for the instrument to be moved through the instrument introduction section and into the artificial airway of the patient.