Provoxweb
  • Provoxweb
  • Voice--Speech Rehab
    • Speech Therapy >
      • Introduction
      • Preoperative counseling
      • Outline of voice therapy
      • Important basic principles in voice rehabilitation in prosthetic speech
      • Some points of attention for the 'finishing touch'
      • General aspects of patient instruction
      • Problem solving
      • Conclusion
  • Pulmonary Rehab
    • Introduction
    • Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HME's) >
      • Treatment aspects
      • Prevention aspects
    • Provox HME >
      • Compliance aspects
      • Improvements in compliance
      • Improvements in voicing
      • Early post-operative pulmonary hygiene
      • Breathing resistance
      • Newest Provox HMEs
    • Treatment with inhalation medication
    • Conclusions
    • References

Provox FreeHands HME

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A solution for the need for digital stoma occlusion in prosthetic tracheoesophageal speech is the use of an automatic speaking valve. Such a device should not only incorporate a valve mechanism that allows airtight occlusion of the stoma and, thus, diversion of pulmonary air into the pharyngoesophageal PE segment (or neoglottis) for voicing, but also should optimally integrate a heat and moisture exchanger (HME), which is indispensable for pulmonary rehabilitation.


The Provox FreeHands HME (see figures and videoclips) is an automatic speaking valve, which has the following properties:

    • an HME is the basic and mandatory part of the device, situated directly in front of the stoma to keep the valve free of mucus;

    • inhalation takes place through side openings to allow breathing in pre-heated and pre-moisturized air from the body;

    • voicing is possible with low air pressures by keeping the flexible speaking valve closed with magnets;

    • the speaking valve comes in three different flexibilities to accommodate individual patient needs;

    • a locking position protects against involuntary closure of the speaking valve during physical exertion;

    • a self-centering, freely movable cough relief valve acts as cover, and the force needed for its opening is individually adjustable by means of magnets;

    • optimal cleaning and hygiene is achievable by means of a special cleaning container;

    • the device is usable in combination with existing valve housings, e.g. Provox HME adhesives and/or LaryTube cannulas.

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© The Netherlands Cancer Institute - 2003-18; ISBN 90-75575-05-X