Help identifying metal cannula and compatible hme?

I'm writing on behalf of a friend in Ecuador whose 4-year old son now has a tracheostomy following surgery to remove excess tissue in his throat that was leading to severe sleep apnea. Â*The doctor said he will need to have the trach for at least 3 months.

They are high in the Andes mountains where the humidity levels are very low, so this is causing problems. Â*They would like to get some kind of HME, but they don't know what kind Â*of cannula he has or what HMEs would fit it. Â*They said the tube looks just like the metal tube shown on the tracheostomy.com page showing types of tubes (http://www.tracheostomy.com/types.htm) and said that they were told it is a 2mm size.

Can anyone tell me what brand/model of tube that is, and what kind of HME might work with it? Â*If there is no compatible HME, are there any strategies that can have the same effect as an HME and allow him to be active and in different environments?

Thank you!!

Rachael

[sandra]

I hope Cindy has a suggestion. I don't think anyone uses a metal tube like that on here. It doesn't look to me as if there is anywhere to hook an HME on to that type of trach. Sorry I am not any help. Here is a link for others to see the trach and see if they have any suggestions:

metal trach towards bottom

[babyhugger]

You might try the site for smiths medical. They carry many trachs that aren't sold in the US. Smiths medical owns lots of suppliers - Portex, Bivona, etc...

The address is www.smiths-medical.com

I wish you luck!