Disposable laryngeal mask airway device

Abstract

The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes a mask portion and an airway tube. The mask portion includes an inflatable cuff, which defines a central opening when the cuff is inflated. The airway tube defines an internal passage extending from a proximal end of the tube to a distal end of the tube. The airway tube further defines two or more tabs disposed near the distal end of the tube. The mask portion is coupled to the airway tube near the distal end of the airway tube, and the tabs extend from the airway tube into the central opening defined by the cuff when the cuff is inflated.

1 . A laryngeal mask airway device, comprising:
 (A) an inflatable cuff, the cuff defining a central opening at least when inflated, the cuff being insertable at least when deflated through a mouth of a patient to an inserted location within the patient, the cuff forming a seal around a glottic opening of the patient when the cuff is at the inserted location and inflated;   (B) an airway tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the airway tube defining an internal passage, the airway tube defining two or more tabs disposed near the distal end of the airway tube, the cuff being coupled to the airway tube near the distal end of the airway tube, the internal passage extending from the proximal end of the tube to the central opening defined by the cuff, the tabs extending from the airway tube into the central opening defined by the cuff when inflated.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , the airway tube including a backplate portion disposed near the distal end of the airway tube, the backplate portion defining a laryngeal side, the tabs extending from the laryngeal side of the airway tube. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , the cuff being attached to the laryngeal side of the airway tube. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , the cuff defining a pharyngeal side and a laryngeal side, the pharyngeal side being closer than the laryngeal side to a pharynx of a patient when the device is in an inserted location within the patient, the airway tube being attached to the pharyngeal side of the cuff. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , the device further including a generally elliptically shaped plate, the cuff being attached to the plate. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , the airway tube being attached to the plate. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , the cuff being characterized by a circular cross section. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , the cuff comprising PVC. 
     
     
         9 . A laryngeal mask airway device, comprising:
 (A) a mask portion including an inflatable cuff, the mask portion defining a central opening at least when the cuff is inflated, the mask portion being insertable at least when the cuff is deflated through a mouth of a patient to an inserted location within the patient, the mask portion forming a seal around a glottic opening of the patient when the mask portion is at the inserted location and the cuff is inflated;   (B) an airway tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the airway tube defining an internal passage, the airway tube defining two or more tabs disposed near the distal end of the airway tube, the mask portion being coupled to the airway tube near the distal end of the airway tube, the internal passage extending from the proximal end of the tube to the central opening defined by the mask portion, the tabs extending from the airway tube into the central opening defined by the mask portion.   
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , the airway tube including a backplate portion disposed near the distal end of the airway tube, the backplate portion defining a laryngeal side, the tabs extending from the laryngeal side of the airway tube. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , the mask portion being attached to the laryngeal side of the airway tube. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 9 , the mask portion defining a pharyngeal side and a laryngeal side, the pharyngeal side being closer than the laryngeal side to a pharynx of a patient when the device is in an inserted location within the patient, the airway tube being attached to the pharyngeal side of the mask portion. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12 , the mask portion including a generally elliptically shaped plate, the cuff being attached to the plate. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 9 , the cuff being characterized by a circular cross section. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 9 , the mask portion comprising PVC. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 1 , the tabs resisting compression of the cuff in a lateral direction. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 9 , the tabs resisting compression of the mask portion in a lateral direction. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 1 , the tabs being made of a first material, the cuff being made of a second material, the first material being stiffer than the second material. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 9 , the tabs being made of a first material, the mask portion being made of a second material, the first material being stiffer than the second material.