inhealth Blom-Singer Instructions For Use Manual page 9

Prior to use of the voice prosthesis, check the valve mechanism to
be sure it is intact and working properly. The flap valve, (diagram
8a), should close flat against the seating surface inside the voice
prosthesis.
Please refer to the diagrams located at the back of this instruction
manual.
1. Grasp the neck strap of the sterile indwelling voice prosthesis
with a right angle hemostat (diagram 8b).
2. Insert the tip of the hemostat with neck strap into the
esophagus. Push the tip against the anterior wall 1.5 cm. from
the cut edge of the trachea. Cut down horizontally on the tip
through the trachea (diagram 9).
3. The hemostat tip with the neck strap is gently pushed through
the tracheoesophageal wall into the trachea (diagram 10).
4. The neck strap is grasped with a second hemostat and
the voice prosthesis is pulled through the puncture site
(diagram 11).
5. The voice prosthesis is positioned in the tracheoesophageal
puncture (diagram 12).
6. The neck strap on the voice prosthesis is detached and
the wound is closed. Voicing is deferred until two weeks
postoperatively to avoid the possibility of an air pressure
induced fistula (diagram 13).
Secondary Voice Prosthesis Placement
The following procedure is provided by Eric D. Blom, Ph.D. as
recommended instructions for secondary voice prosthesis
placement, or replacement of the voice prosthesis, using the Blom-
Singer® Gel Cap insertion method.
Please refer to the diagrams located at the back of this instruction
manual.
Note: All secondary procedures must only be done using a bright
light to illuminate the tracheostoma and puncture. Insertion or
removal of the voice prosthesis in the TE puncture should only be
done with a bright light focused directly on the stoma.
Use of gloves and protective eye wear is recommended for the
following procedure.
Blom-Singer® Indwelling Voice Prostheses
37640-05H | 9