Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes an inflatable cuff and an airway tube. The inflatable cuff defines a central opening at least when inflated. The cuff 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 the cuff is inflated and at the inserted location. The airway tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The airway tube defines an internal passage, an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a left portion, and a right portion. An airway passage extends from the proximal end of the tube through the internal passage to the glottic opening when the cuff is inflated and at the inserted location. The anterior portion is characterized by a thinner wall thickness than the left and right portions. The posterior portion is characterized by a thinner wall thickness than the left and right portions.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes a mask portion and an airway tube. The mask portion includes an inflatable cuff, which defines a central opening when the cuff is inflated. The airway tube defines an internal passage extending from a proximal end of the tube to a distal end of the tube. The airway tube further defines two or more tabs disposed near the distal end of the tube. The mask portion is coupled to the airway tube near the distal end of the airway tube, and the tabs extend from the airway tube into the central opening defined by the cuff when the cuff is inflated.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes an inflatable cuff and an airway tube. The inflatable cuff defines a central opening at least when inflated. The cuff 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 the cuff is inflated and at the inserted location. The airway tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The airway tube defines an internal passage, an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a left portion, and a right portion. An airway passage extends from the proximal end of the tube through the internal passage to the glottic opening when the cuff is inflated and at the inserted location. The anterior portion is characterized by a thinner wall thickness than the left and right portions. The posterior portion is characterized by a thinner wall thickness than the left and right portions.

Abstract: An artificial airway device for use in unconscious patients comprises a laryngo-pharyngeal mask including a roughly elliptical shape, expandable masking ring. The expandable mask sealingly surrounding the laryngeal inlet when expanded to obstruct communication between the laryngeal inlet and oesophagus. One or more airway tubes connected to the mask provide for fluid flow to a portion of the mask facing the laryngeal inlet when said mask sealingly surrounds the laryngeal inlet. A gastro-tube connected to the mask is bonded along most of its length to the airway tube(s) and provides a fluid flow-path to the surface of said mask facing the oesophagus when said mask sealingly surrounds the laryngeal inlet. The cross-section area of said gastro-tube is at least as great as that of the airway tube.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes an inflatable cuff, an airway tube, and a tab. The cuff defines a central opening at least when inflated. The cuff 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 at the inserted location. The airway tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The airway tube defines an internal passage. 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 at the inserted location. The tab is fixed to the airway tube near the proximal end of the airway tube. The tab is disposed outside of the mouth of the patient when the cuff is at the inserted location. The tab extends outwardly from the airway tube in a first direction when the cuff is at the inserted location.