Endoscopy device

Abstract

An endoscopy device for facilitating use of an endoscope, comprising at least one airway tube and a mask having a distal end, a proximal end and a peripheral formation .xi.beta.) capable of conforming to, and fitting within, the actual and potential space behind the larynx of the patient to form a seal around the circumference of the laryngeal inlet, the peripheral formation establishing separation between a laryngeal; chamber side and a pharyngeal side, the device further comprising a conduit adapted for passage of an endoscope into the oesophagus of a patient when mask is in place, conduit including a distal end for cooperation with the oesophageal sphincter, the conduit having a laryngeal side, a pharyngeal side, a right side and a left side, and an outlet wherein at the outlet the width between the left side and the right side is smaller than the width of the conduit.

1 . An endoscopy device for facilitating the use of an endoscope, comprising:
 at least one airway tube and a mask carried at one end of the at least one airway tube,   the mask having a distal end and a proximal end and a peripheral formation capable of conforming to, and of fitting within, the actual and potential space behind the larynx of the patient so as to form a seal around the circumference of the laryngeal inlet,   the peripheral formation surrounding a hollow interior space or lumen of the mask and the at least one airway tube opening into the lumen of the mask,   the peripheral formation establishing separation between a laryngeal chamber side and a pharyngeal side,   the device further comprising a conduit adapted for passage of an endoscope into the oesophagus of a patient when the mask is in place, the conduit including a distal end for cooperation with the oesophageal sphincter of the patient, the conduit having a laryngeal side, a pharyngeal side, and with respect thereto, a right side and a left side, and an outlet wherein at the outlet the width between the left side and the right side is smaller than the width of the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 1 , wherein the conduit has a diameter of between 5 and 25 mm. 
     
     
         3 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 1 , wherein at the outlet, the pharyngeal side is terminated proximally of the laryngeal side. 
     
     
         4 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 1 , wherein at the outlet, the width of the conduit wall is reduced. 
     
     
         5 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 4 , wherein the width reduction is at the left and the fight side of the outlet. 
     
     
         6 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the conduit is provided at an angle of about 30 degrees, relative to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. 
     
     
         7 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 1 , wherein the airway tube comprises a connector at its proximal end, the connector including one or more strap mounts comprising a mount bar to which a strap can be removably fixed for securing the device to a patient. 
     
     
         8 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 7 , including two strap mounts. 
     
     
         9 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 8 , wherein each mount bar is disposed between two arms which extend out from the connector in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of the conduit and airway tube, such that a mount bar is disposed on either side of the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         10 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 9 , wherein the arms are curved and extend distally, to conform to the anatomy of a patient's head. 
     
     
         11 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 7 , herein the conduit includes an internal sleeve at its proximal end. 
     
     
         12 . An endoscopy device according to  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with the connector. 
     
     
         13 . A method of inserting an instrument or viewing device into the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient comprising use of an endoscopy device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the device is configured for single use.