Laryngeal mask airway device

Abstract

The invention relates to a laryngeal mask airway device (1) for insertion into a patient to provide an airway passage to the patient's glottic opening, the device (1) comprising an airway tube (2), a mask (3) attached to the airway tube (2), the mask (3) comprising a body (4) having a distal end (5) and a proximal end (6), a peripheral inflatable cuff (7), and defining an outlet (8) for gas, the mask (3) being connected to the airway tube (2) for gaseous communication between the tube (2) and the mask, the distal end of the mask being ventrally displaced, relative to the proximal end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 915,557, filed on Nov. 26, 2007, which claims priority to a PCT Application No. PCT / GB2006 / 001908, filed on May 24, 2006, which also claims the benefit to priority of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0510951.7, filed on May 27, 2005, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the invention[0003]The present invention relates to a laryngeal mask airway device.[0004]2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 C.F.R. 1.97 and 1.98[0005]The laryngeal mask airway device is a well known device that is useful for establishing airways in unconscious patients. U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,514 is one of the many publications that describe laryngeal mask airway devices. Such devices have been in use for many years and offer an alternative to the older, even better known endo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]According to the invention there is provided a laryngeal mask airway device for insertion into a patient to provide an airway passage to the patient's glottic opening, the device comprising an airway tube, a mask attached to the airway tube, the mask comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, a peripheral inflatable cuff, and defining an outlet for gas, the mask being connected to the airway tube for gaseous communication between the tube and the mask, the distal end of the mask being ventrally displaced, relative to the proximal end. It has been surprisingly found that a ventral displacement of the tip makes insertion of the mask much easier because the tip is presented at an optimum angle as it tracks around the curvature of the airway anatomy.

[0016]It is preferred that the body describes a substantially convex curve, from the proximal to distal end. It is further preferred that the mask body comprises a plate, the plate having a dorsal side and a ventral side, the dorsal side being substantially smooth and having a convex curvature across its width. It is also preferred that the dorsal surface of the airway tube corresponds in curvature to the curvature across the width of the plate. All of these expedients assist in making insertion of the mask easier.

[0018]The device may further including an oesophageal drain tube, and the oesophageal drain tube may be disposed on the ventral side of the body, in order to maintain a smooth profile on the dorsal side, to make insertion easier.

Problems solved by technology

It has been found that if the extent of displacement is too great, the device will not lie in the correct position at its maximum extent of insertion.

Images