Laryngeal mask airway device

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.

1 . A backplate for a laryngeal-mask airway device, said backplate comprising a bowl having a transversely concave laryngeal-side and a convex pharyngeal-side, said backplate being bonded to a periphery of a main-cuff establishing separation between a laryngeal-chamber region and a pharyngeal region,
 said backplate further comprising an external tube-joint, said tube-joint being formed on said pharyngeal-side and extending from said pharyngeal-side into said pharyngeal region, said tube-joint further including a passageway for communication between said pharyngeal and laryngeal-chamber regions, said device having an anterior outer surface defining an anterior-facing indentation proximate the tube joint, the indentation being accessible by a finger of a person when the person is inserting the device into a patient.