PULSE OXIMETER SENSOR COMBINED WITH OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY ANDBITE BLOCK

摘要

A combined oropharyngeal airway/bite block is disclosed having poise oximeter sensor elements (20, 21) capable of monitor- ing the posterior pharynx, the soft palate, the hard palate, and the buccal surface. The oropharyngeal airway portion (6) has a thickened wall to house the pulse oximeter sensor elements and provide sufficient material to form grooves (1) in the distal end. The grooves are utilized when the invention is turned on its side to act as a bite block with the grooves engaging the teeth of the patient. The pulse oximeter sensor elements include a light source (20), which emits light at wave- lengths of about 660 nm and about 940 nm, and a light detector (21). The pulse oximeter sensor elements are in communication with a spectrophotometer for analysis.