Abstract: An airway management device including a hollow flexible tube. The tube defines a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured to be coupled to a ventilator and/or anesthesia circuit. An opening is provided at or near the distal end to allow passage of air and/or anesthesia therethrough. The tube is configured to be expanded radially after insertion through a patient's nasopharyngeal passageway when the distal end of the tube is positioned proximate the patient's hypopharynx. The device may include an inflatable outer sleeve surrounding and extending along the length of the tube. When the outer sleeve is in a deflated state, the distal end of the tube may be inserted through a patient's nasopharyngeal passageway. When the distal end of the tube is positioned proximate the patient's hypopharynx, the outer sleeve may be inflated and expanded.

Abstract: A nasally inserted airway opening device with inflatable cuff is provided to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The airway opening device includes a hollow flexible tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and an inflatable cuff attached to the tube at or near the distal end. The inflatable cuff may be inflated and deflated via the tube. The inflatable cuff defines an interior through hole extending along the length thereof. When deflated, the inflatable cuff may be packed closely to the tube and may be inserted or removed through a nostril of a user. When inserted through the user's nostril and positioned in the user's oropharynx or naso-oropharynx and inflated, the inflatable cuff prevents soft tissue in the user's naso-oropharynx from collapsing toward the posterior pharyngeal wall while simultaneously allowing airflow through the through hole. A method for utilizing the airway opening device to prevent/treat sleep apnea is also provided.

Abstract: An airway management device such as, for example, an nasal airway management device with inflatable supraglottic laryngeal cuff is provided. The airway management device includes an airway tube, an inflatable cuff, and an inflation passage. The airway tube defines a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end. At least the distal end of the airway tube is configured to be inserted through a patient's nasopharyngeal passageway. The inflatable cuff is attached at or near the distal end of the airway tube and defines an opening fluidly coupled with the lumen of the airway tube. The inflation passage may extend along the airway tube and may be coupled to the inflatable cuff to allow inflation and deflation thereof. When in a deflated state the inflatable cuff may be inserted through the patient's nasopharyngeal passageway. When in an inflated state the inflatable cuff may expand to form a seal around the patient's supraglottic laryngeal inlet.