U.S. PATENT 7,025,784

 HME Side View


 HME Top View

Have you been waiting for the latest advance in HME technology?
It’s here.

EasyTouch™ Speech Button
The EasyTouch™ speech button represents an innovative step forward because it makes stoma occlusion simple.

• Users need only press the EasyTouch button with minimal, manual force, and it closes to produce voice.

• The feeling is definite. Users can feel when it’s completely closed, so they can speak with more confidence.

• Release the EasyTouch button, and it instantly returns to its open, breathing position.

MucusShield™ Occluder
The new Blom-Singer HME System features our integrated MucusShield™ occluder that provides protection to the HumidiFilter from mucus secretions— and creates an air-tight seal closure for speech.

The new Blom-Singer HME System. Breathe healthy. Speak confidently.

Daily disposable, single use device
The Blom-Singer HME System is a daily-disposable device that comes fully assembled in a 30-day supply. You simply put on a new one each day and discard the previous unit.

The Blom-Singer HME System is a two-piece unit that consists of an HME cartridge and a TruSeal® adhesive housing. The nonsterile HME features:

• A HumidiFilter foam filter for heat and moisture exchange with an antimicrobial agent to inhibit bacterial growth on the filter.

• Our innovative EasyTouch™ speech button that makes stoma occlusion simple, allowing for more confident speaking.

• Our integrated MucusShield™ occluder that provides protection to the HumidiFilter from mucus secretions, and creates an air-tight seal closure for speech.

click to enlarge

HME Defined
Prior to having a laryngectomy, the air you breathe is warmed, moistened and filtered by tissues in your nose and throat before it reaches your trachea and lungs.

An HME is designed to help laryngectomees regain some of these lost respiratory functions.

When placed over your tracheostoma, an HME captures warm and moist air in a filter as it is exhaled from your body.

The cool, dry air you breathe in passes through the filter where it is warmed and moistened as it enters your body.

Health Benefits of an HME
Use of an HME helps to protect your trachea and lower airway from drying and cooling.

To maintain a healthy respiratory tract, it’s critical to breathe in air that is filtered and contains the proper heat and moisture content.

An HME should be used daily for as long as possible to receive the following benefits from its use.

Reduced Mucus
Many laryngectomees suffer from involuntary coughing and excessive mucus production due to loss of their larynx. Studies indicate patients using a Blom-Singer HME have experienced a 60% reduction in mucus when using the device for at least seven consecutive days. This amount of time is needed to allow the airway sufficient time to recognize the benefits of the HumidiFilter. 1,2

Humidified and Filtered Breathing
When using an HME, a large percentage of the moisture and heat in every breath is conserved and returned to the bronchi and lungs. This helps reduce coughing, dryness and mucus secretions. Clinical studies also report improvements in shortness of breath, fatigue and malaise, sleep problems, anxiety and depression levels. 3,4

Increased Airway Resistance
Using an HME aides in resistance to airflow, a role normally played by your nose. It is important for your lungs to benefit from good airflow resistance to supply the body with oxygen effectively, and eliminate carbon dioxide from your blood. Daily use of an HME has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on tissue oxygen saturation and optimal lung ventilation. 6,7

Antibacterial Inhibition on the Filter
The HumidiFilter foam filter is treated with an agent to inhibit bacterial growth on the filter for a more hygienic environment.

Improved Quality of Life
Reduced mucus, less coughing, and improved voice quality can increase your self-confidence, and give you more freedom in social situations by reducing the discomfort that comes with feeling as though your condition is drawing unwanted attention. 4,5

USA
Blom-Singer products may be ordered directly from our friendly customer service representatives
by calling (800) 477-5969.

• Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., E.S.T.
• Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., E.S.T.

Our toll-free number may be used from the continental USA, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. You can also order InHealth online, click here.

Canada
In Canada, please contact Auto Control Medical at (800) 461-0991, or Fax (800) 699-5936.

International
For a list of international distributors, please contact:
International Healthcare Technologies
1110 Mark Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013-2918 USA
Tel: +01(805) 684-9337, Fax: +01(805) 684-8594.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1 Blom, E.D., Singer M.I., and Hamaker, R.C., Tracheoesophageal Voice Restoration Following Total Laryngectomy. San Diego: Singular Publishing Group, Inc.1998.

2 Grolman, W., Blom, E., Branson, R., Schouwenburg, P., Hamaker, R. (1997) An Efficiency Comparison of Four Heat and Moisture Exchangers Used in the Laryngectomized Patient. The Laryngoscope, 107; June 1997: 814-820.

3 Ackerstaff AH, Hilgers FJ, et al.(1993) Improvements in respiratory and psychosocial functioning following total laryngectomy by the use of a heat and moisture exchanger. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 1993, Nov; 102 (11): 878-83.

4 Ackerstaff AH, Hilgers FJ, et al.(1995) Heat and moisture exchangers as a treatment option in the post-operative rehabilitation of laryngectomized patients. Clinical Otolaryngology, 1995, 20, 504-509.

5 Hilgers FJ, Ackerstaff AH, et al. (1991) The influence of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) on the respiratory symptoms after total laryngectomy. Clinical Otolaryngology, 1991, 16, 152-156.

6 Blom, Eric D. (1993) Laboratory and clinical investigation of postlaryngectomy airway humidification and filtration. Proceedings of the 1st EGFL Conference and 5th International Congress on Surgical and Prosthetic Voice Restoration After Total Laryngectomy, Grado, Italy.

7 McRae, D. Young, P., Hamilton, J., & Jones, A. (1996) Raising airway resistance in laryngectomees increases tissue oxygen saturation. Clinical Otolaryngology, 21, 366-368.