Abstract: An airway device (10) is provided for sealing a patient's pharynx (P), the device comprising an elongate flexible chamber (12) of resilient material with a leading end (14) and a trailing end (16) and being bounded by top (18) and bottom (19) elongate surfaces. The top surface has raised ridge (20) across it to seal at the base (B) of the tongue (T) and the bottom surface is shaped to seal at the back of the patient's throat. An opening (26) is defined in the top surface and serves to place the chamber in communication with the laryngeal inlet (L) of the patient. A gutter (28) extends from the leading edge along the length of the bottom surface and forms a funnel (27) at the trailing end. Instruments passed along the outside of the stem are received in the funnel and directed along the gutter to the oesophagus (O) of the patient.

Abstract: An airway device (10) is provided which includes a distal part (12) and a proximal part (20) in sealed communication. The distal part (12) has a distal opening (14) for attachment to a breathing apparatus, in sealed communication with a hollow stem (16). The proximal part comprises a hollow sealing chamber (20) with a proximal opening (22), said sealing chamber (20) having means for sealing within and against the mucosal walls of a body cavity with a corresponding proximal opening, for communicating with the lungs. The sealing means of the sealing chamber (20) includes: a longitudinal fold (32) that allows for adaptation to varying cross-sectional dimensions of said body cavity; and said sealing chamber (20) being made of an elastomeric substance and having walls (26,30) that are thicker and relatively less flexible, and walls (24,25) that are thinner and relatively more flexible, said thicker walls (26,30) forming a framework that supports said thinner walls (24,25).

Abstract: An artificial airway device (10) of a resilient material for use as a combined obturator and airway device without penetration into a larynx comprising a pre-formed flexible saccular chamber (14) and having a semi-rigid hollow stem (14) projecting from a position at or near one end of the chamber at an obtuse angle and capable of being flexed into a curve that deviates up to 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the said chamber, the chamber being provided with one or more openings, and dimensioned and arranged so that in use the chamber is adapted to sealingly engage in a patient's pharynx with at least one opening in communication with the patient's laryngeal inlet and the stem extends into or through the patient's mouth for connection to a breathing circuit.

Abstract: An artificial airway device (10) of a resilient material for use as a combined obturator and airway device without penetration into a larynx comprising a pre-formed flexible saccular chamber (14) and having a semi-rigid hollow stem (14) projecting from a position at or near one end of the chamber at an obtuse angle and capable of being flexed into a curve that deviates up to 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the said chamber, the chamber being provided with one or more openings, and dimensioned and arranged so that in use the chamber is adapted to sealingly engage in a patient's pharynx with at least one opening in communication with the patient's laryngeal inlet and the stem extends into or through the patient's mouth for connection to a breathing circuit.