Laryngeal-mask airway with guide element, stiffener, and fiberoptic access

摘要

An intubating laryngeal-mask airway device compresses a flexible airway tube with conventional distal-end mask structure, wherein one or more relatively stiff and suitably curved reinforcement elements determine the curvilinear course of the airway tube and are removably embodied in the flexible airway tube. An external handle connected to the proximal end of the one or more reinforcement elements facilitates rapid installation of the mask, and removal of the one or more reinforcement elements exposes guide passages well suited to subsequent introduction of fiber-optic devices for visual inspection of the entrance to the trachea, whereby to assure properly directed passage of an endotracheal tube or other instrumentation into the trachea. Optional provision is made for use of a reinforcement-guide system to serve another fiber-optic device having viewing exposure directed toward the oesophagus, thereby providing a visible clue of a misdirected endotracheal tube before it can do any damage in a region which must be avoided.