Tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector

1. A tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector, comprising:

an outer cannula snap flange; and

at least one retention tab associated with the outer cannula snap flange, the at least one retention tab having a first notch therein, wherein the at least one retention tab is substantially parallel to a radial axis of the outer cannula snap flange, and

wherein the first notch receives and holds snap ears of an inner cannula connector when the snap ears are rotated into the first notch of the retention tab.

2. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first notch comprises a plurality of first notches.

3. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention tab comprises at least two retention tabs, each of the at least two retention tabs having one first notch.

4. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.

5. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 4 , comprising second notches in the outer cannula snap flange, wherein the second notches receive the snap ears when the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.

6. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 5 , wherein the second notches comprise locking protrusions thereon adapted for mating with locking indentations on a face of the snap ears.

7. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cannula connector is coupled to a disposable inner cannula.

8. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cannula connector is coupled to a reusable inner cannula.

9. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cannula connector is a standard manufacture inner cannula connector.

10. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the outer cannula connector is coupled to an outer cannula.

11. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 10 , wherein the outer cannula is adapted for insertion into a patient stoma.

12. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention tab comprises two retention tabs having the first notches substantially parallel between the two retention tabs.

13. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the second notches and the snap ears are substantially in alignment when the snap ears have been rotated into the first notch of the at least one retention tab.

14. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cannula connector is adapted for coupling to a ventilator hose.

15. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cannula connector is adapted for coupling to a speaking valve.

16. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1 , comprising:

an inflation lumen; and

an inflation collar, wherein the inflation collar is positioned on an outside surface of an outer cannula and the inflation lumen is adapted for directing a fluid to the inflation collar for inflation thereof.

17. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 16 , wherein the inflation collar is biased toward the distal end of the outer cannula.

18. A medical device tube, comprising:

an outer cannula;

an outer cannula snap flange coupled to the outer cannula;

at least two retention tabs attached to the outer cannula snap flange, each of the at least two retention tabs having a first notch therein, wherein the at least two retention tabs are substantially parallel to a radial axis of the outer cannula snap flange;

an inner cannula; and

an inner cannula connector having snap ears, wherein the inner cannula connector is coupled to the inner cannula, and the inner cannula is adapted for insertion into the outer cannula, whereby the inner and outer cannulas are substantially coaxially aligned;

wherein the first notches receive and hold the snap ears of the inner cannula connector when the snap ears are rotated into the first notches of the at least two retention tabs.

19. The medical device tube according to claim 18 , wherein the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.

20. The medical device tube according to claim 19 , comprising second notches in the outer cannula snap flange, wherein the second notches receive the snap ears when the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.

21. The medical device tube according to claim 20 , wherein the second notches comprise locking protrusions thereon adapted for mating with locking indentations on a face of the snap ears.

22. The medical device tube according to claim 18 , wherein the inner cannula connector is adapted for coupling to a speaking valve.

23. The medical device tube according to claim 18 , comprising:

an inflation lumen; and

an inflation collar, wherein the inflation collar is positioned on an outside surface of the outer cannula and the inflation lumen is adapted for directing a fluid to the inflation collar for inflation thereof.

24. The medical apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the inflation collar is biased toward the distal end of the outer cannula.

25. The medical device tube according to claim 23 , wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, saline, water, and combinations thereof.

26. The medical device tube according to claim 18 , wherein the inner cannula is disposable.

27. The medical device tube according to claim 18 , wherein the inner cannula is reusable.

28. A tracheostomy air passage system, said system comprising:

a tracheostomy tube comprising,

an outer cannula;

an outer cannula snap flange coupled to the outer cannula;

at least two retention tabs attached to the outer cannula snap flange, each of the at least two retention tabs having a first notch therein, wherein the at least two retention tabs are substantially parallel to a radial axis of the outer cannula snap flange;

an inner cannula; and

an inner cannula connector having snap ears, wherein the inner cannula connector is coupled to the inner cannula, and the inner cannula is adapted for insertion into the outer cannula, wherein the first notches receive and hold the snap ears of the inner cannula connector when the snap ears are rotated into the first notches of the at least two retention tabs, whereby the inner and outer cannulas are substantially coaxially aligned;

a ventilator hose coupled to the inner cannula connector; and

a ventilator coupled to the ventilator hose.

29. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 28 , wherein the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.

30. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 29 , comprising second notches in the outer cannula snap flange, wherein the second notches receive the snap ears when the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.

31. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 30 , wherein the second notches further comprise locking protrusions thereon adapted for mating with locking indentations on a face of the snap ears.

32. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 28 , wherein the inner cannula connector is a standard inner cannula connector.

33. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 28 , wherein the inner cannula is disposable.

34. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 28 , wherein the inner cannula is reusable.

35. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 28 , comprising

an inflation lumen; and

an inflation collar, wherein the inflation collar is positioned on an outside surface of the outer cannula and the inflation lumen is adapted for directing a fluid to the inflation collar for inflation thereof so as to position and substantially seal the outer cannula in a patient trachea.

36. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 35 , wherein the inflation collar is biased toward the distal end of the outer cannula.

37. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 28 , wherein the inner cannula connector is adapted for coupling to a speaking valve.