379 results about "Laryngeal Masks" patented technology

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.

A laryngeal-mask airway device including provision for drainage of the oesophagus comprises an inflatable main-cuff and a backplate having a laryngeal-side and a pharyngeal-side. The backplate also has an external tube-joint adjacent to the proximal region of the main-cuff. The backplate is hermetically bonded to the periphery of the main-cuff establishing separation between a laryngeal-chamber region and a pharyngeal region. An distally open evacuation tube includes a distal portion which longitudinally traverses the interior of the distal region of the main-cuff in sealed relation therewith for operative engagement and communication with the inlet of the oesophagus. The evacuation tube traverses the laryngeal-chamber region generally adjacent to the laryngeal-side of the backplate and passages through a proximally located tube-joint to the pharyngeal region. An airway tube also extends into the tube-joint for communication with an airway port to provide a flowpath between the airway tube and laryngeal-chamber region.

A laryngeal mask airway device is provided that incorporates a video sensor, such as a CCD, CMOS or NMOS imaging chip, arranged to provide an image of the laryngeal inlet or other airway structures. The video sensor is electrically coupled to a reusable processing unit that receives the signals generated by the video sensor and generates a digital image of the interior of the patient's airway, thereby enabling the clinician to have immediate optical confirmation of the position of the mask aperture relative to the laryngeal inlet from the moment of insertion of the device.

A device for maintaining an airway in a patient. This device includes a mask having a resilient conformable peripheral portion that is shaped such that the mask forms a seal with the larynx when the mask is positioned in the laryngo pharynx to thereby prevent ingress of extraneous fluids into the larynx. The peripheral portion of the mask define at least one cavity for providing fluid communication to the esophagus when the mask is inserted into the laryngo pharynx. An airway tube is connected to or formed with the mask for passing gas to the larynx when the mask is properly inserted into the laryngo pharynx. The airway tube preferably is curved as it leaves the mask.

A method of making a laryngeal airway of the type that includes a respiratory tube and an inflatable positioning shield having a base and an inflatable, hollow peripheral portion is described herein. The method includes introducing at least one molding material into a mold, wherein the mold has a cavity defined by internal walls, wherein the internal walls conform to external walls of the laryngeal mask, and wherein the mold has a core within its cavity that is adapted to form the hollow portions of the laryngeal airway.