Bivona Silicone Tracheostomy Tube

A flexible, medical-grade silicone tracheostomy tube designed to create and maintain an artificial airway through a surgical opening in the trachea (windpipe). Bivona tubes are manufactured by Smiths Medical and are known for their biocompatible silicone construction, which remains soft and flexible in the trachea. Available in multiple configurations including cuffed, uncuffed, and specialty designs for adults, pediatric, and neonatal patients.

Common humanitarian uses:

• Emergency airway management in trauma or conflict zones
• Long-term ventilator support for critically ill patients
• Airway access for patients with severe respiratory infections or obstruction
• Post-surgical airway maintenance in field hospitals
• Management of patients with head/neck injuries preventing normal breathing
• Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation in resource-limited settings

Key information:

• Material: 100% medical-grade silicone (DEHP-free, latex-free, plasticizer-free)
• Construction features: Wire-reinforced shaft for kink resistance, radiopaque for X-ray visibility
• Included components: Obturator (insertion guide), twill tracheostomy tie, 15mm ISO connector
• Configurations available: Cuffed (with inflatable balloon), uncuffed, various neck flange styles
• Reprocessing: Can be steam autoclaved and reused multiple times (adult: up to 10 times; pediatric: up to 5 times)
• Storage requirements: Room temperature in dry location, maintain sterile packaging until use
• Shelf life: Several years when properly stored (check package expiration date)
• Requires prescription: Yes - surgical placement by qualified medical personnel only

Important safety notes:

• Professional insertion only: Tracheostomy tube placement is a surgical procedure requiring trained physicians or surgeons; improper insertion can cause fatal complications including bleeding, pneumothorax, or false passage creation
• Patient monitoring critical: Requires continuous monitoring for tube displacement, obstruction, infection, or bleeding; suction equipment must be immediately available
• Cuff pressure management: For cuffed tubes, maintain proper cuff inflation pressure (typically 20-25 cm H2O) to prevent tracheal injury while ensuring adequate seal
• Regular tube changes: Establish schedule based on patient condition and manufacturer guidelines; silicone allows extended wear compared to PVC tubes
• Emergency equipment required: Always have replacement tube (same and smaller size), obturator, suction equipment, and bag-valve-mask readily available

Bivona Silicone Advantages: Silicone construction offers significant benefits over traditional PVC tracheostomy tubes, particularly important in humanitarian settings. The material remains soft and biocompatible over extended periods, reducing tissue irritation and allowing longer intervals between tube changes. Wire reinforcement prevents tube kinking while maintaining flexibility for patient comfort. The ability to reprocess tubes through steam autoclaving makes them cost-effective for resource-limited environments. Silicone is less affected by time, light, and secretion encrustation compared to PVC alternatives.

Alternative names: Trach tube, tracheostomy cannula, tracheal tube, trach, cannule de trachéostomie (French), cánula de traqueostomía (Spanish), Bivona trach, Portex tracheostomy tube, silicone airway tube