Temperature-controllable wire in tracheostomy tube changes diameter

ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Medical Devices (A61M)

Published September 26th, 2025

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

The USPTO published patent application US20260091190A1 for a tracheostomy tube structure featuring a temperature-controllable deformable wire embedded in the tube wall. The wire changes diameter in response to temperature, allowing insertion at reduced diameter and subsequent expansion to facilitate breathing and reduce sputum accumulation. Inventors include Pai-Chien Chou, Chien-Hua Chen, Hsueh-Lien Su, and Ya-Ting Juang.

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What changed

The USPTO published a patent application for a tracheostomy tube with embedded temperature-controllable wire technology. The wire deforms based on temperature changes, enabling the tube to contract during insertion for patient comfort and expand afterward to larger diameter for improved breathing and reduced sputum buildup. The patent covers CPC classifications A61M 16/0465 and related medical device categories.

Patent applicants and medical device manufacturers should note this innovation for potential licensing evaluation or design differentiation. Healthcare researchers may consider citing this application in prior art searches for similar respiratory device technologies. No compliance actions or regulatory responses are required for this publication.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Applications

TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE STRUCTURE

Application US20260091190A1 Kind: A1 Apr 02, 2026

Inventors

Pai-Chien Chou, Chien-Hua Chen, Hsueh-Lien Su, Ya-Ting Juang

Abstract

Provided is a tracheostomy tube structure, which includes a temperature-controllable and deformable wire embedded in the wall of a flexible tube. The wire deforms in response to temperature changes, thereby altering the diameter of the tube. This allows the tracheostomy tube to be inserted with a reduced diameter, enhancing patient comfort during the procedure. After the tracheostomy tube is in place, the tube can expand to a larger diameter as the wire deforms, preventing the accumulation of sputum that could lead to biofilm formation and addressing the issue of sputum accumulation in the space between the tracheostomy tube and the trachea, thereby facilitating better breathing for the patient.