76 results about "Epiglottis" patented technology

At least one elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in an epiglottis and / or in a muscle along an upper respiratory tract. An array of projections extends from the elongated body, which is sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation.

The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes a rigid airway tube, a mask portion, and one or more optical fibers. The airway tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The airway tube defines an internal passage and a first notch. The first notch extends along a length of the tube from a location on the tube towards the distal end of the tube. The mask portion is coupled to the distal end of the airway tube. The mask portion includes an inflatable cuff. The cuff defines a central opening at least when inflated. The mask portion is insertable through a mouth of a patient to an inserted location within the patient. The cuff surrounds a glottic opening of the patient when inflated and when the mask portion is at the inserted location. A sealed airway passage extends from the proximal end of the tube through the internal passage to the glottic opening when the cuff is inflated and when the mask portion is at the inserted location. The mask portion includes an epiglottis elevator bar that extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The distal end of the bar defines an aperture. The bar is positionable in a resting position and an open position. The optical fibers extend from a proximal end to a distal end. A lens is connected to the distal end of the fibers. The fibers extend through the first notch. The lens is disposed near the aperture defined by the bar when the bar is in the resting position. The fibers and lens provide a view of a region that extends from the lens through the aperture defined by the bar.

An oropharyngeal device for insertion into the mouth of a patient. The device includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end with a flange formed at the proximal end. The distal end of the body is inserted into the mouth of the patient until the flange at the proximal end is disposed outside and adjacent to the patient's mouth. The flange keeps the proximal device from entering the mouth. The body is sized such that the distal end of the body is disposed within the pharynx above the epiglottis. The device includes a channel through the body that forms an airway between its proximal and distal ends. The device also includes at least three separate conduits integrated into the body for administering oxygen, suctioning, and for assessing ventilation through end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring. The conduits for oxygenation and suctioning extend through the body between its proximal and distal ends. The conduit for end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring extends along and is attached to a side wall of the channel and terminates within the channel.

A medical device is provided for insertion into a cavity of a patient to visual the internal membranes of the patient. The medical device can be an endotracheal tube, a suction tube, a bronchoscope, a tube changer, an esophageal tube, an intubating tube, an esophageal tube in combination with a separate intubating tube, a device for manipulating the position of the epiglottis of the patient, a stylet, or a tube insertable into the vagina of the patient. The medical device has a camera lumen having a sealed window at one end thereof attached thereto, and a separate camera which is insertable into the camera lumen and is removable from the camera lumen. The camera is used to monitor the internal membranes of the patient during the medical procedure.

A modified laryngeal mask airway device (LMA-device) is provided with means to improve ease of insertion, reliability of function and higher seal pressure (i.e., cuff pressure ratio). The LMA-device includes an indented section of the airway tube to offer locating means and purchase for the inserting finger, and extended mask aperture bars to increase the effective ventilating area of the mask and reduce the possibility of epiglottis displacement occasioned by mask insertion. The LMA-device further includes a modification of the airway tube angle of attachment to the mask, and provision of a posterior or back-cushion covering the entire posterior surface of the mask.

Disclosed is a laryngoscope which is capable of safely and reliably lifting the epiglottis to easily view the entrance to the trachea directly. Specifically disclosed is a laryngoscope in which the base end section of a blade for being inserted from patient's mouth to lift the epiglottis in order to visually identify the entrance to the trachea is consecutively installed at the end of a handle which can be gripped, and which is configured in such a manner that a first electrode is provided to the base end section of the blade and a second electrode can be adhered to the skin surface adjacent to the epiglottis, and that a low-frequency current is energized between the first electrode and the second electrode.

This invention provides a laryngoscope blade, wherein the blade comprises a tube having an opening along one side. This invention further provides a laryngoscope blade comprising at its front portion a first surface for lifting the epiglottis of a patient and a second surface for fixing the portion of the posterior part of the vocal cords of the patient.

A suction catheter having an elongated flexible hollow member and a spoon-shaped distal end designated to assist manual removal of large airway occluding particles from the oropharynx and mouth opening to near the epiglottis of a patient by an emergency caregiver. The tip of the spoon-shaped distal end defines an ovular orifice of sufficient size to remove both viscous and non-viscous matter including matter from the airway of the patient for conveyance through the hollow member. The catheter includes a flexible stylet member therein to permit bending of the catheter and causing it to retain its bent shape with the proximal end thereof away from the patient. An opening is provided in the catheter and communicates with internal airway for use in controlling the amount of suction provided by the connection of the proximal end of the catheter to a vacuum source.