Gastro-laryngeal mask
A gastro-laryngeal mask features softly compliant construction of the distal half of the mask, wherein the mask is of generally elliptical configuration, with an inflatable peripheral cuff to seal and support the mask around the laryngeal inlet. A back cushion is inflatable to engage the back wall of the pharynx and thus to forwardly load the peripheral-cuff seal to the laryngeal inlet. An evacuation tube for external removal of a possible gastric discharge completes an evacuation or discharge passage contained within the mask and opening through the distal end of the peripheral cuff. Special provision is made for assuring integrity of the discharge passage within the flexible distal half of the mask, i.e., assuring against collapse of the distal-end half of the softly compliant evacuation tube in the distal region of the mask, such that inflation of the mask does not compromise viability of the evacuation tube by compressing softly compliant material of the evacuation tube during periods of mask inflation. The special provision also favors such collapse of the mask when deflated as to provide a leading flexible edge for piloting a safe and correct advancing insertional advance of the deflated mask in the patient's throat, in avoidance of epiglottis interference and to the point of locating engagement in the upper sphincter of the oesophagus.
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This application is a continuation of original application, Ser. No. 08/609,521, filed Mar. 1, 1996, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a laryngeal-mask airway (LMA) device, which is an artificial airway device designed to facilitate lung ventilation in an unconscious patient by forming a low-pressure seal around the laryngeal inlet. An inflatable-ring seal surrounds an appropriately shaped mask which fits into the lower pharynx and is attached to a tube which emerges from the mouth, as for connection to medical gas-supply tubing.
More particularly, the invention relates to a variety of laryngeal masks, known as gastro-laryngeal masks (GLM), wherein. provision is made for airway assurance to the patient who is at. risk from vomiting or regurgitation of stomach contents while unconscious. U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,956 deals with this problem by providing an evacuation tube which is open through the center of the inflatable seal of the laryngeal mask, thus utilizing the distal end of the inflatable ring as an inflatable-cuff formation which establishes peripherally sealed engagement to the upper sphinctral region of the oesophagus and centrally supports the distal end of the evacuation tube. In addition, said U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,956 discloses a further inflatable cuff carried by the laryngeal mask and by the evacuation tube, for referencing inflation against the back wall of the pharynx, thus making it possible to establish the laryngeal-inlet seal with reduced inflation pressure, as compared with prior structures not having such an additional inflatable cuff.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,743 discloses moulding techniques for manufacture of a variety of laryngeal masks, including a gastro-laryngeal mask, wherein an inflatable back cushion provides such referencing inflation against the back wall of the pharynx as to widely distribute the back-wall reference, over substantially the full area of the laryngeal mask. Such a back-cushion construction has been found to be mechanically simple and highly effective, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,879 discloses such a back cushion for each of several representative laryngeal-mask constructions.
In practice, although a gastro-laryngeal-mask as described in said U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,879 works well, it has the disadvantage that the gastric evacuation channel needs to be sufficiently stiff to prevent its collapse under the influence of the increased pressure within the back-cushion cuff, when it is inflated in the pharynx. A suitably stiff tube is readily provided, but the whole device is then more difficult to insert into the patient's throat, since insertion involves flexing the device around the angle at the back of the tongue. Provision of a pre-curved airway tube facilitates passage around the back of the tongue, but the advancing distal tip end of the device is then more likely to collide with the glottis (or entrance to the larynx), and indeed it may block the larynx by so doing, with consequent danger to the patient.
BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the invention to provide an improved gastro-laryngeal mask.
A specific object is to meet the above object with a construction that specifically avoids problems or difficulties with constructions of said U.S. patents.
Another specific object is to provide for ready compression and flexure of a gastric passage within a back-cushioned or cuffed gastro-laryngeal mask, when the mask is in deflated condition for insertion into the patient's throat.
Furthermore, for the deflated condition of the mask, i.e., in readiness for insertion into the patient's throat, it is an object to enable formation of a flattened flexible leading distal-end edge to self-adapt to and resiliently ride the outer limit of curvature of the patient's airway, throughout the insertional course of the deflated mask and into its locating engagement with the hypopharynx.
It is a further specific object, in conjunction with the foregoing specific objects, to provide for assurance of full patency of the gastric passage within the mask, when the mask has been inflated.
These objects are realized in the present invention by utilizing two structural mechanisms, both of which are operative when the device is inflated; one of these mechanisms prevents lateral compression of the wall of the gastric tube, while the other of these mechanisms prevents antero-posterior compression of the wall of the gastric tube; the result is to assure a substantially circular section within relatively soft portions of the evacuation passage, as long as the device is inflated and in installed position.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an artificial airway device to facilitate a patient's lung ventilation comprises an airway tube, an evacuation tube, and a laryngeal mask at one end of both tubes. The mask is of generally elliptical configuration and comprises a body or backplate of relatively stiffly compliant nature, and an inflatable annular cuff or ring of relatively softly compliant nature is connected to and surrounds the body or backplate. When inflated, the annular cuff adapts to and seals around the laryngeal inlet, and an inflatable cushion on the exterior of the inflated annulus bears against the back wall of the pharynx, to thereby forwardly load the inflated annulus into sealed relation with the laryngeal inlet, with the backplate dividing the mask between a laryngeal-chamber side and a pharyngeal-chamber side. The relatively stiff backplate is formed for connection to the airway tube for exclusive communication to the larynx through an opening in the backplate; and the backplate is also configured to guide and support a relatively soft flexible evacuation tube within the pharyngeal-chamber side, from a distally open end for reception of gastric products, to a proximal end for connection to an externally discharging evacuation tube.
It is a feature of the invention that along an aligning path for the flexible evacuation tube within the pharyngeal-chamber side of the mask, a first significant angular fraction of the periphery of the flexible tube is bonded to a stabilizing portion of the backplate, and that a second angular fraction of the periphery of the flexible tube is continuously bonded to the inner surface of the flexible back cushion, such that generally opposite unbonded further angular regions exist between the bonded regions. These unbonded further regions are provided with external stiffening ribs at a succession of axial intervals, to reinforce the unbonded regions against lateral compression when the back cushion and the inflatable ring are under inflation pressure. In this way, inflation of the annular laryngeal-inlet sealing ring and of the flexible back cushion will assure a maximally open evacuation passage within the mask in inflated condition, essentially without antero-posterior or lateral compression of the passage. And it is further assured that upon deflation of the mask, evacuation-passage compression will be essentially in the sense of achieving a squeezing and somewhat flattening deformation of the discharge passage against the formed back-plate area of evacuation-passage support; such flattening is maximal at the oesophageal end of the discharge passage, so that, when correctly deflated, the device forms a wedge shape for correct insertion.
The invention will be illustratively described in detail for a presently preferred embodiment, and for certain other embodiments, all in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring first to the preferred embodiments of
In the installed position of
The laryngeal-mask unit 10 is of the GLM variety in which an evacuation tube 23 (
More specifically, for the particular construction shown, the relatively softly compliant flexible components may be integrally formed in a single moulding operation, in which the moulded intermediate product is an inside-out version of what will become the finished more flexible part of the finished mask unit 10. The moulded intermediate product may thus have the appearance shown in
In the preferred form shown, the mask body member 13 (
In
The stiffness of body member 13 is greatest in the region of proximal-end seating to ledge 33, above which an inlet-air formation 36 is oriented on an axis 37 which is not only inclined at an acute angle α to the plane of seating to ledge 33., but is also laterally offset from the central longitudinal plane of symmetry of the mask, denoted 5—5 in FIG. 3. Relative stiffness of body member 13 is also enhanced (i) by the fact that its distal half features a slot 38 of width less than the diameter of the re-entrant distal-end tube 26, (ii) by the fact that the re-entrant tube 26 is adhesively retained in cradled support by and between confronting edges of slot 38, and (iii) by the fact that the distal end of evacuation tube 23 is preferably preformed (as seen in
Stated in other words and in explanation of the distal and proximal halves of the body member 13 and the relation of these halves to the relatively thin material and distal-half extent of re-entrant tubular conduit 26, said tubular conduit may be said to extend proximally to approximately 50 percent of the longitudinal extent of the inflatable ring 18; alternatively, said tubular conduit 26 may be said to extend proximally to at least substantially 50 percent of the longitudinal extent of the inflatable ring 18, consistent with the drawings of
As also seen in
The simplified sectional diagram of
Preferably, the effective arcuate extent of adhesive connection 39 is in the range 45° to 90° about the central axis of tube 26, as seen in FIG. 8. Preferably also, the adhesive connection of tube 26 along the straight edges of the distal half of slot 38 accounts for a corresponding range of support of tube 26 against collapse in the circumstance of back-cushion inflation. In other words, inflation of the ring 18 and back cushion 25 will assure developed vertical forces to hold the evacuation passage of re-entrant tube 26 in substantially open condition, but the transversely opposed arcuate regions (each of approximately 90° arcuate extent) between these adhesively connected regions are vulnerable to compressionally inward bowing, thus reducing the sectional area of tube 26 while the mask is inflated. The invention resolves this vulnerability by providing axially spaced stiffening ribs or ridges 42 as integral formations of the re-entrant tube 26, in the initially moulded intermediate product of FIG. 5. As shown, there are three mutually opposed pairs of ridges 42, at axial spacings which are in the order of the unstressed bore diameter of tube 26. For the indicated silicone-rubber material of the product of
In
It will be appreciated that the GLM device described thus far has an airway tube 11 that is of larger diameter than the evacuation tube 23; in this circumstance, the airway tube 11 is large enough to accommodate guided insertion of an endotracheal tube. The tubes 11, 23 enter the described laryngeal mask 10 in side-by-side relation and are preferably adhesively secured to each other in this side-by-side relation, and along their full longitudinal extent, in order to provide a measure of torsional resistance against twisting, thereby aiding a medically qualified person in quickly and correctly installing a fully deflated GLM in a patient, with assurance that, upon inflation of ring 18 and the back-cushion panel 25, an exclusive and sealed airway connection will be established to the laryngeal inlet, via lumen 14 and from the airway tube 11; concurrently, a similarly exclusive evacuation connection is established to the upper sphinctral region of the oesophagus, via the distal-end opening 43 of tube 26, through the evacuation tube 23, and to suitable waste-collection means (not shown) external to the patient.
More specifically as to insertion of the fully deflated GLM device in a patient, it will be understood that a range of GLM sizes is available from which to select a sufficiently correct size for the patient. Deflation is accomplished via external means (not shown) and via check-valve means 21 to hold the deflated condition wherein the dome shape of body member 13 rises from within the dished peripheral lip 18′ of the collapsed ring 18. A skilled operator is quickly able to develop the desired appearance of the GLM in its deflated state; but for a uniformly correct deflated shaping, it is recommended to use a forming tool as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,293.
When correctly shaped and in its deflated condition, and at the distal end of the GLM, the opening 43 will have been flattened, and this distal end merges with the peripheral lip 18′ of the collapsed ring 18. Noting that the entire distal half of the mask is of relatively soft material, stiffened only by indicated adhesive connection, the distal end projects distally and at its upwardly flared merge with lip 18′, for low acute-angle incidence to the posterior arcuate profile of the patient's throat passage. That being the case, a medical technician need only make sure that upon inserting the mask via the patient's mouth and throat, the flattened distal end rides the outer (posterior) arcuate contour of the patient's airway, in that the softly flexible nature of the distally projecting and somewhat flattened distal end will be flexibly self-adapting to local irregularities (if any) in the course of passage into the pharynx; final insertional location is noted by an increase in encountered resistance, upon distal-end engagement of the GLM with the upper sphinctral region of the oesophagus. At this juncture, inflation air supplied via line 19 and retained by check-valve means 21 establishes (i) the described seal of ring 18 to the laryngeal inlet, (ii) back cushion (panel 25) contact with the back wall of the pharynx, and (iii) full opening of the evacuation tube 26 for maximum accommodation of a possible gastric discharge from the oesophagus.
Beyond what has been described,
It will be understood that the inside-out technique described in connection with
Claims
1. A laryngeal mask construction for concurrent airway service to a patient's laryngeal inlet and for removal of gastric-discharge products from the oesophagus, said construction comprising:
- an inflatable ring in the form of a generally elliptical annulus having an outer periphery configured for continuously sealed adaptation to the laryngeal inlet, said ring extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends and having an inflation port connection at its proximal end, said ring being a moulded product of relatively thin and softly pliant elastomeric material, said ring including within the inner periphery of said annulus an apertured panel or membrane establishing separation between a pharyngeal-chamber side and a laryngeal-chamber side, said ring further integrally including at its distal end a distally open tubular conduit for operative engagement and communication with the oesophageal inlet, said tubular conduit extending from its distally open end and in the proximal direction adjacent said panel and on the pharyngeal side of said panel;
- a domed backing-plate member of relatively stiff elastomeric material and having a concave side which terminates in a generally elliptical footing in a geometric plane and is sealed engagement with said panel at the inner periphery of said annulus, said backing-plate member having an airway-tube connecting formation on a proximally directional axis that is at an acute angle with said geometric plane, said backing-plate member providing stability to the inner periphery of said annulus and directional stability for said tubular conduit;
- an airway tube connected to said connecting formation; and
- a gastric-discharge tube connected to said tubular conduit.
2. The mask construction of claim 1, in which said airway tube and said gastric-discharge tube are bonded to each other in side-by-side relation.
3. The mask construction of claim 1, in which said tubular conduit extends proximally to approximately 50 percent of the longitudinal extent of said inflatable ring.
4. The mask construction of claim 1, in which said tubular conduit extends proximally to at least 50 percent of the longitudinal extent of said inflatable ring.
5. The mask construction of claim 1, in which said backing-plate member is formed for directionally guiding relation to said tubular conduit, to determine a straight proximal direction of said tubular conduit for substantially the distal half of the longitudinal extent of said mask.
6. The mask construction of claim 5, in which said backing-plate member is further formed for tubular-conduit guidance on generally a helical arc to a location of gastric-discharge tube entry to said mask alongside said airway tube.
7. The mask construction of claim 1, further including an inflatable back cushion comprising a panel of softly compliant elastomeric material bonded peripherally to the pharyngeal-chamber side of said annulus and extending over said tubular conduit.
8. The mask construction of claim 7, in which said back-cushion panel is peripherally bonded to said tubular conduit.
9. The mask construction of claim 8, in which said back-cushion bond to said tubular conduit extends for substantially the distal half of the longitudinal extent of said inflatable ring.
10. The mask construction of claim 8, in which (a) a first arcuate circumferential fraction of said tubular conduit is connected to said backing-plate member, (b) the bond of said back cushion to said tubular conduit is angularly spaced from and generally opposite the connection of said tubular conduit to said backing-plate member, the bond to said back cushion being over a second arcuate circumferential fraction of said tubular conduit, (c) the arcuate circumferential extent by which said angular tubular-member connections are made to said backing-plate member and to said back cushion being reinforced with circumferentially arcuate stiffener formations.
11. The mask construction of claim 10, in which said stiffener formations are arcuate ribs in axially spaced array.
12. The mask construction of claim 11, in which said ribs project radially outward of said tubular conduit.
13. A laryngeal mask construction for concurrent airway service to a patient's laryngeal inlet and for removal of gastric-discharge products from the oesophagus, said construction comprising:
- an inflatable/deflatable ring in the form of a generally elliptical annulus having an outer periphery configured for continuously sealed adaptation to the laryngeal inlet, said ring being a moulded product of relatively thin and softly pliant elastomeric material, said ring integrally including at its distal end a distally open tubular conduit through a distal opening in said ring, said distally open tubular conduit being for operative engagement and communication with the oesophageal inlet;
- a backing-plate member of relatively stiff elastomeric material having a concave front side which is adapted to face the laryngeal inlet and which terminates in an elliptical footing in a geometric plane and in peripherally sealed engagement with the inner periphery of said inflatable/deflatable ring, said backing-plate member having an airway-tube connecting formation on a proximally directional axis that is at an acute angle with said geometric plane, said backing-plate member having a lumen for airway-tube communication with the laryngeal inlet, and said backing-plate member providing stability to the inner periphery of said annulus and proximally directed directional stability for said tubular conduit;
- an airway tube connected to said connecting formation; and
- a gastric-discharge tube connected to said tubular conduit.
14. A Laryngeal mask construction, including:
- (A) a generally elliptical inflatable ring defining a distal end, the ring being adapted for sealed engagement to a laryngeal inlet of a patient;
- (B) a backing plate defining an air inlet, the backing plate being sealed to the ring, the backing plate establishing a laryngeal-chamber side and a pharyngeal-chamber side of the construction;
- (C) an inflatable back cushion disposed on the pharyngeal-chamber side, the back cushion when inflated contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing the ring away from the pharyngeal wall;
- (D) a tubular conduit defining a distal end, the distal end of the tubular conduit being disposed near the distal end of the ring for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient, a first portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the back cushion, a second portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the backing plate; and
- (E) one or more stiffening ribs, the ribs being disposed on a third portion of the tubular conduit, the third portion of the tubular conduit being disposed between the first and second portions of the tubular conduit.
15. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, further including an airway tube, a distal end of the airway tube being sealed to the air inlet.
16. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, further including a gastric discharge tube, a distal end of the gastric discharge tube being sealed to a proximal end of the tubular conduit.
17. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, wherein the ribs and the tubular conduit are of a monolithic construction.
18. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, wherein the tubular conduit and the ring are of a monolithic construction.
19. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, wherein the backing plate is domed.
20. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, wherein the backing plate defines a groove.
21. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, wherein the ring is of relatively thin and softly pliant elastomeric material.
22. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 14, wherein the ring is a molded product.
23. A laryngeal mask construction, including:
- (A) a generally elliptical inflatable ring defining a distal end, the ring being adapted for sealed engagement to a laryngeal inlet of a patient;
- (B) a backing plate defining an air inlet, the backing plate being sealed to the ring, the backing plate establishing a laryngeal-chamber side and a pharyngeal-chamber side of the construction;
- (C) an inflatable back cushion disposed on the pharyngeal-chamber side, the back cushion when inflated contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing the ring away from the pharyngeal wall;
- (D) a tubular conduit defining a distal end, the distal end of the tubular conduit being disposed near the distal end of the ring for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient, a first portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the back cushion; and
- (E) one or more stiffening ribs, the ribs being disposed on a second portion of the tubular conduit.
24. A laryngeal mask construction, including:
- (A) a generally elliptical inflatable ring defining a distal end, the ring being adapted for sealed engagement to a laryngeal inlet of a patient;
- (B) a backing plate defining an air inlet, the backing plate being sealed to the ring, the backing plate establishing a laryngeal-chamber side and a pharyngeal-chamber side of the construction;
- (C) an inflatable back cushion disposed on the pharyngeal-chamber side, the back cushion when inflated contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing the ring away from the pharyngeal wall;
- (D) a tubular conduit defining a distal end, the distal end of the tubular conduit being disposed near the distal end of the ring for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient, a first portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the back plate; and
- (E) one or more stiffening ribs, the ribs being disposed on a second portion of the tubular conduit.
25. A laryngeal mask construction, including:
- (A) a generally elliptical inflatable ring defining a distal end, the ring being adapted for sealed engagement to a laryngeal inlet of a patient;
- (B) a backing plate defining an air inlet, the backing plate being sealed to the ring, the backing plate establishing a laryngeal-chamber side and a pharyngeal-chamber side of the construction;
- (C) an inflatable back cushion disposed on the pharyngeal-chamber side, the back cushion when inflated contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing the ring away from the pharyngeal wall; and
- (D) a tubular conduit defining a distal end, the distal end of the tubular conduit being disposed near the distal end of the ring for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient, a first portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the back cushion, a second portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the backing plate, the first portion extending from a first location to a second location, the first location being near the distal end of the tubular conduit, the second location being spaced apart from the first location in a direction towards a center of the generally elliptical inflatable ring.
26. A laryngeal mask construction, including:
- (A) an airway tube;
- (B) a gastric discharge tube;
- (C) a generally elliptical inflatable ring defining a distal end, the ring being adapted for sealed engagement to a laryngeal inlet of a patient;
- (D) a backing plate defining an air inlet, the air inlet being sealed to the airway tube, the backing plate being sealed to the ring, the backing plate establishing a laryngeal-chamber side and a pharyngeal-chamber side of the construction;
- (E) an inflatable back cushion disposed on the pharyngeal-chamber side, the back cushion when inflated contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing the ring away from the pharyngeal wall;
- (F) a tubular conduit defining a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular conduit being sealed to the gastric-discharge tube, the distal end of the tubular conduit being disposed near the distal end of the ring for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient, a first portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the back cushion, a second portion of the conduit being adhered to a portion of the backing plate; and
- (G) one or more stiffening ribs, the ribs being disposed on a third portion of the tubular conduit, the third portion of the tubular conduit being disposed between the first and second portions of the tubular conduit.
27. A laryngeal mask construction including:
- (A) a mask adapted for positioning inside of a patient near the patient's larynx, a central plane dividing the construction into a left portion and a right portion;
- (B) an airway tube coupled to the mask, at least a portion of the airway tube extending away from the mask and defining a central axis, the central axis portion of the airway tube being disposed on one side of the central plane; and
- (C) a gastric discharge tube coupled to the mask, at least a portion of the discharge tube extending away from the mask and defining a central axis, the central axis of the portion of the discharge tube being disposed on the other side of the central plane.
28. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 27, wherein an outer diameter of the airway tube is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the discharge tube.
29. The laryngeal mask construction according to claim 27, wherein an outer diameter of the airway tube is not equal to an outer diameter of the discharge tube.
30. A device, including:
- (A) an airway tube for supplying air to a patient;
- (B) an evacuation tube for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient;
- (C) a mask adapted for sealed engagement with a laryngeal inlet of the patient, the mask including a back cushion for contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing at least part of the mask away from the pharyngeal wall, a first portion of the back cushion being sealed to a first portion of the evacuation tube, the first portion of the back cushion extending from a first location to a second location, the first location being near the distal end of the evacuation tube, the second location being spaced apart from the first location in a direction towards a center of the mask.
31. A device according to claim 30, a second portion of the evacuation tube being sealed to the mask, the second portion being disposed opposite to the first portion.
32. A device according to claim 30, the mask including a generally elliptical inflatable ring.
33. A device according to claim 32, the mask further including a body, a second portion of the evacuation tube being sealed to the body.
34. A device according to claim 33, the body defining a slot, the evacuation tube extending along the slot.
35. A device including:
- (A) an inflatable mask adapted for sealed engagement with a laryngeal inlet of the patient;
- (B) a single airway tube for supplying air to a patient, the airway tube being coupled to the mask, a portion of the airway tube extending away from the mask;
- (C) a single evacuation tube for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient, the evacuation tube being coupled to the mask, a portion of the evacuation tube extending away from the mask, the portions of the airway and evacuation tubes being coupled to one another in side-by-side relation such that a center of one of the airway and evacuation tubes is dosposed on a left side of the device and a center of the other one of the airway and evacuation tubes is disposed on a right side of the device.
36. A device according to claim 35, the evacuation tube including a conduit extending through a portion of the mask.
37. A device according to claim 36, further including an inflation line coupled to the mask for inflating and deflating the mask.
38. A device, including:
- (A) an airway tube for supplying air to a patient;
- (B) an evacuation tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end being adapted for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient;
- (C) a mask adapted for sealed engagement with a laryngeal inlet of the patient, the mask including a back cushion for contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing at least part of the mask away from the pharyngeal wall, a first portion of the evacuation tube being sealed to a portion of the back cushion, the first portion of the evacuation tube extending from near the distal end of the evacuation tube towards the proximal end of the evacuation tube.
39. A device including:
- (A) an inflatable mask, the mask being insertable, at least when deflated, through a mouth of the patient to an inserted location within a patient, the inserted location being near a laryngeal inlet of the patient;
- (B) an airway tube coupled to the mask, the airway tube extending from a proximal end located outside of the patient's mouth through an interdental gap to the mask when the mask is at the inserted location, the interdental gap being a space between the patient's lower teeth and the patient's upper teeth;
- (C) an evacuation tube for communication with an esophageal inlet of the patient, the evacuation tube being coupled to the mask, the evacuation tube extending from a proximal end located outside of the patient's mouth through the interdental gap to the mask when the mask is at the inserted location, one of the airway and evacuation tubes being greater than or equal to the other of the airway and evacuation tubes where the tubes pass through the interdental gap, the airway and evacuation tubes being coupled together in side-by-side relation such that the interdental gap need not be greater than the one tube when the mask is at the inserted location.
40. A device according to claim 39, a diameter of the airway tube being equal to a diameter of the evacuation tube.
41. A device according to claim 39, the mask including a generally elliptical inflatable ring.
42. A device according to claim 41, the mask further including an inflatable back cushion, the back cushion contacting a pharyngeal wall of the patient and biasing at least part of the mask away from the pharyngeal wall when inflated and when the mask is at the inserted location.
43. A device according to claim 41, the mask further including a body, a portion of the evacuation tube being sealed to the body.
44. A device according to claim 43, the body defining a slot, the evacuation tube extending along the slot.
45. A device including an airway tube, an evacuation tube, and an inflatable mask, the mask being insertable, at least when deflated, through a mouth of the patient to an inserted location within a patient, the inserted location being near a laryngeal inlet of the patient, the airway tube extending from a proximal end located outside of the patient's mouth through an interdental gap to the mask when the mask is at the inserted location, the interdental gap being a space between the patient's lower teeth and the patient's upper teeth, the evacuation tube being coupled to the mask, the evacuation tube extending from a proximal end located outside of the patient's mouth through the interdental gap to the mask when the mask is at the inserted location, one of the airway and evacuation tubes being greater than or equal to the other of the airway and evacuation tubes where the tubes pass through the interdental gap, the airway and evacuation tubes being coupled together in side-by-side relation such that the interdental gap need not be greater than the one tube when the mask is at the inserted location.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 8, 2001
Date of Patent: Dec 18, 2007
Assignee: Indian Ocean Medical, Inc. (Mahe)
Inventor: Archibald Ian Jeremy Brain (Chertsey)
Primary Examiner: Justine R. Yu
Assistant Examiner: Annette Dixon
Attorney: Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr LLP
Application Number: 09/803,452
International Classification: A61M 16/00 (20060101); A61M 29/00 (20060101); A61M 5/32 (20060101); A62B 9/06 (20060101);