Laryngeal mask assemblies

Details Laryngeal mask assemblies Laryngeal mask assemblies

1998-03-11

2001-06-05

Webster, Joseph (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Respiratory gas supply means enters mouth or tracheotomy...

C128S200260, C128S207140

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240922

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to laryngeal mask assemblies
It is common practice to use an airway known as a laryngeal mask for the administration of anaesthetic and ventilation gases to a patient. These airways comprise a tube with an inflatable mask or cuff at one end, the tube being inserted in the patient's mouth so that one end is located in the hypopharynx and so that the mask forms a seal in this region with the surrounding tissue. Laryngeal masks are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,879, 5,305,743, 5,297,547, 5,282,464, GB 2267034, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,571, 5,241,956, 5,303,697, GB 2249959, GB 2111394, EP 448878, U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,388, GB 2205499, GB 2128561 and GB 2298797.
Laryngeal masks have several advantages over endotracheal tubes, which are longer and seal with the trachea below the vocal folds. One problem with laryngeal mask airways, however, is that there is a risk that the epiglottis can enter the air passage through the airway during insertion, thereby causing a blockage. In GB-A-2205499 there is described a laryngeal mask having bars extending across the patient-end opening of the tube into the mask, to prevent the epiglottis from entering the opening.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved laryngeal mask assembly.
According to the present invention there is provided a laryngeal mask assembly comprising a tube with a mask portion at its patient end, the tube opening into the center of the mask portion and the mask portion having a generally elliptical shape, the mask assembly having at least one member projecting down from the roof of the center of the mask portion, so as to deflect the epiglottis away from the opening of the tube during insertion of the assembly.
The at least one projecting member may be a rib extending laterally of the major axis of the elliptical shape of the mask portion. The lower end of each rib preferably has a concave profile with rounded projections at opposite ends. Alternatively, each projecting member may be a rib extending parallel to the major axis of the elliptical shape of the mask portion. The assembly may include three projecting members. In another arrangement, each projecting member may be a tooth with a rounded lower end. The mask portion preferably comprises a mount member attached with the tube and a cuff member attached with the mount member, the or each projecting member being molded with the mount member.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5896858 (1999-04-01), Brain
patent: 5937860 (1999-08-01), Cook
patent: 0 294 200 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 2205499A (1988-12-01), None
patent: 97/12641 (1997-04-01), None

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