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Publication Number
US-12121657-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A laryngeal mask includes a housing having a neck part and a head part extending from the neck part. The head part includes a sealing face and an opposing face, the sealing face and the opposing face being connected by an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the sealing face. The sealing face has a peripheral seal for forming a seal around a larynx and having an opening arranged to be positioned over a laryngeal opening. The mask further includes an airway tube positioned within the housing and extending from the neck part to the opening in the peripheral seal. The mask further includes a first drain tube extending from the neck part to an aperture located in a distal tip of the head part, and a second drain tube extending from the neck part to a position within the head part that is proximal to the distal tip.
Core Innovation
A laryngeal mask includes a housing having a neck part and a head part extending from a first part of the neck part. The head part comprises a sealing face and an opposing face, which are connected by an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the sealing face to define a cavity between the sealing face and the opposing face. The sealing face includes a peripheral seal configured to form a seal around a larynx and includes an opening arranged to be positioned over a laryngeal opening.
The mask further includes an airway tube positioned within the housing and extending from a second part of the neck part to the opening in the peripheral seal. A first drain tube extends from the neck part to an aperture located in a distal tip of the head part. A second drain tube extends from the neck part to a position within the head part proximal to the distal tip.
The head part includes one or more apertures in fluid communication with the cavity, arranged to be positioned in a supraglottic region so that fluid can flow from the supraglottic region into the cavity. A terminus of the second drain tube is located within the cavity for draining fluid from the cavity via the second drain tube. Further embodiments disclose medical-grade silicone construction and a curved neck portion with an epiglottic rest configured to accommodate a proximal tongue portion to reduce tongue compression and related post-operative laryngeal morbidity.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a laryngeal mask defining an internal cavity and providing separate airway and two drain-tube pathways with supraglottic-region apertures. The claim includes five main inventive features governing the cavity/seal architecture, airway-tube placement, and the functional placement and termination of first and second drain tubes with supraglottic-region fluid communication into the cavity.
Cavity-forming housing with sealing face, opposing face, and enclosing wall
A housing comprising a neck part and a head part, where the head part includes a sealing face and an opposing face connected by an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the sealing face to define a cavity between the sealing face and the opposing face.
Peripheral seal with laryngeal-opening positioned opening
A sealing face comprising a peripheral seal for forming a seal around a larynx and having an opening arranged to be positioned over a laryngeal opening.
Airway tube from neck part to peripheral seal opening
An airway tube positioned within the housing and extending from a second part of the neck part to the opening in the peripheral seal.
First and second drain tubes with distal-tip aperture and proximal-to-distal termination
A first drain tube extending from the neck part to an aperture located in a distal tip of the head part, and a second drain tube extending from the neck part to a position within the head part proximal to the distal tip.
Supraglottic-region apertures feeding the cavity and second drain tube terminus within cavity
One or more apertures in fluid communication with the cavity, arranged to be positioned in a supraglottic region for fluid to flow from the supraglottic region into the cavity, and a terminus of the second drain tube located within the cavity for draining fluid from the cavity via the second drain tube.
The claim coverage is centered on a laryngeal mask architecture that forms a cavity between a sealing face and an opposing face, provides a peripheral-seal opening for an airway tube, and uses first and second drain tubes in combination with supraglottic-region apertures that feed the cavity so that fluid can be drained via the second drain tube terminus.
Stated Advantages
Reduce tongue compression and related post-operative laryngeal morbidity.
Documented Applications
Medical use as a laryngeal mask airway for managing laryngeal and supraglottic-region fluid drainage and related fluid monitoring within the mask cavity.
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