TRACH-AIDE™
Ventilator Tubing Stabilizer
Stabilization of the tracheostomy tube, especially when attached to a ventilator has been a problem since the early days of caring for patients with tracheostomies. Even with today's lightweight tubing, it is very easy for the trach tube to become angulated due to the added weight, resulting in discomfort in the neck, tracheal trauma, excessive coughing and varying degrees of airflow obstruction.
Surgeons, nurses and other caregivers have used numerous methods in an attempt to stabilize the tracheostomy tube and minimize its motion. The most common are a folded wash cloth, towel or gauze dressing pad placed under the tracheostomy tube-to-ventilator tubing connection at the base of the neck. This method works best on supine patients and does help minimize the downward angulations of the tracheostomy tube. These downward angulations can cause the endotracheal portion of the tube to impinge on the posterior wall of the trachea, resulting in tracheal trauma.
These symptoms were observed first-hand by a retired cardiothoracic surgeon involved in caring for his brother, a retired neurosurgeon who had been stricken with ALS. The tracheal irritation resulted in a severe case of tracheitis which required hospitalization. The idea for TRACH-AIDE™ was born out of the care giving brother's desire to keep this from becoming a recurring problem and add to his brother's comfort.
TRACH-AIDE™, (patent pending) is a device made of multiple layers of soft, non-pill, hypoallergenic , polyester fleece that supports and stabilizes the movement of tracheostomy tubes in ventilated patients. TRACH-AIDE™ is positioned under the external portion of the tracheostomy tube and held in place at the base of the patient's neck by "hook and loop" straps that attach to the collar portion that fits behind the neck. The device is also compatible with, and can be attached to most trach tie collars currently available. The soft, flexible fleece material allows the tracheostomy tube to become partially enveloped in the middle of the top edge of TRACH-AIDE™, making it compatible with tubes of varying diameters and from different manufacturers. This greatly minimizes side to side motion and essentially eliminates the downward angulations of the endotracheal portion of the tracheostomy tube.
The feedback from patients currently using TRACH-AIDE™ has been nothing but favorable, with most comments citing increased ease of swallowing and breathing, decreased coughing and tracheal irritation and significant increases in overall comfort. It has also been reported that the added stability makes it easier for the patient to sleep. In-home users like the fact that TRACH-AIDE™ was designed to be washed and reused for up to sixty days.
The designed features of TRACH-AIDE™ produce the following benefits to the user:
- Hypoallergenic polyester fleece reduces the likelihood of skin irritation
- Highly absorbent material collects excess moisture and secretions that can cause tissue breakdown
- Synthetic polyester fleece is as absorbent as cotton terry but is softer, lighter, cooler, more stain resistant and dries faster when allowed to air dry
- Flexibility of the product allows TRACH-AIDE™ to conform to tracheostomy tubes of different diameters and manufacturers
- Washable and reusable for in-home care
- Multilayer material supports the external portion of the tracheostomy tube which positions the endotracheal portion at the proper angle, making it easier for the user to breathe, swallow and sleep
- Stabilizes the endotracheal portion of the tube at the proper angle, thus eliminating downward angulations and the resulting tracheal irritation and trauma
- Hook and loop straps make attachment, detachment and adjustment of TRACH-AIDE™ quick and easy
- TRACH-AIDE™ is compatible with most trach tie collars currently available
- TRACH-AIDE™ is manufactured in the USA and exclusively by TARPAW, LLC., manufacturers of innovative medical devices
TRACH-AIDE™ is manufactured in the USA and exclusively by TARPAW, LLC. TARPAW is a woman-owned small business located in Huntersville, North Carolina involved in the development, production and sales of innovative medical devices and accessories. The product is produced in a state of the art manufacturing facility certified to the quality standards of ISO 9001:2008.
