(19)
(11)EP 1 309 370 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
30.05.2007 Bulletin 2007/22

(21)Application number: 01987681.2

(22)Date of filing:  13.07.2001
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A61M 16/04(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/ZA2001/000093
(87)International publication number:
WO 2002/032490 (25.04.2002 Gazette  2002/17)

(54)

RESPIRATORY APPARATUS

BEATMUNGSVORRICHTUNG

APPAREIL RESPIRATOIRE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

(30)Priority: 15.07.2000 GB 0017515

(43)Date of publication of application:
14.05.2003 Bulletin 2003/20

(73)Proprietor: SLIPA Enterprises (BVI) Limited
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (VG)

(72)Inventor:
  • SLIPA Enterprises (BVI) Limited
    Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (VG)

(74)Representative: Hedges, Martin Nicholas et al
A.A. Thornton & Co. 235 High Holborn
London WC1V 7LE
London WC1V 7LE (GB)


(56)References cited: : 
US-A- 5 038 766
US-A- 5 853 004
US-A- 6 070 581
US-A- 5 513 627
US-A- 5 988 167
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to respiratory apparatus in the form of an artificial airway device for placement into the oropharynx of an unconscious patient to maintain airway patency, to permit attachment to respiratory apparatus, to permit either spontaneous or controlled positive pressure ventilation and to prevent the inhalation into the lungs of extraneous matter such as vomitus or blood.

    [0002] An unconscious patient may have need of some or all four of the above objectives for supporting respiration and, therefore, life. During anaesthesia or resuscitation this may be achieved by means of an endotracheal tube with an inflatable cuff around the end which is placed within the trachea, or a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), which also involves the use of an inflatable cuff at the end of a tube, the end of which is placed around the entrance to the larynx and within the pharynx, or an oesophageal obstructor airway (EOA) named "Combitube" or derivative. This comprises double lumen double cuffed tube, the longer tube with attached cuff passes into the oesophagus for the purpose of sealing and isolating contents which may enter the oesophagus from below or to prevent the escape of gas under pressure from above from entering the stomach. The shorter tube for ventilating the lungs ends within the pharynx, the oro-nasal outlet from the pharynx being sealed off within the pharynx by means of the second cuff which surrounds both tubes, which when inflated allows for positive pressure to develop within the pharynx. Sometimes, an oral or nasal airway tube for preventing obstruction of the airway is used in combination with a facemask.

    [0003] More recently a cuffed oro-pharyngeal airway (COPA) has been introduced by Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc, US patent No. 5,743,256, (May 30, 1995) which can be used to achieve 3 of the four objectives stated above but fails to protect the lungs from extraneous matter that enters the pharynx from entering the lungs. The Glottic aperture seal airway of Augustine Medical Inc. PCT publication number: WO 98/16273, purports to achieve this advantage, however, it is not as reliable as was originally hoped. Numerous other double cuff inflating devices are appearing in the current market and may be classed as derivatives of the EOA and COPA above, e.g. that of Sato et al US patent No. 5,743,258 (April 28, 1998).

    [0004] The maximum inflation pressure that can be used before gas leakage occurs around the cuffs limits the application of controlled ventilation by the latter two methods. They also run the risk of inflating the stomach and do not provide a secure airway from the possible aspiration of vomitus. The LMA provides a partial seal of the oesophagus but regurgitation if it gets past the seal is more likely to pass into the inflatable bag cavity in the case of the LMA from whence the contents are easily funneled into the larynx. The COPA does not provide any seal of the oesophagus. The Combitube would appear to be an effective device, for controlled ventilation, sealing off the oesophagus, but its correct placement can pose problems, either too deep or not deep enough. It is also rather elaborate and expensive. The LMA would appear to be ideal except for the fact that the pressures that can be generated in controlled ventilation are limited as the mask could be dislodged at higher inflation pressures. In addition, although it is partially effective in isolating the airway from extraneous matter in the pharynx, should any extraneous matter enter the lumen of the mask, which does not provide a high quality isolation of the trachea from pharyngeal matter, it will tend to be funneled into the larynx. To overcome this disadvantage an improved LMA named the 'Proseal' LMA incorporates a moderate bore tube for removing liquid that may accumulate in the mask region of the airway by suction or siphonage and is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2-283378 (Nov. 20.1990). The placement in the trachea of the endotracheal tube is the most effective means of achieving all four of the above objectives, however, its use requires experience, skill and the use of a laryngoscope which in turn has its own unwanted side effects consequent upon powerful neural reflex actions. Its placement may also require the use of muscle relaxing drugs.

    [0005] US-A-5853004, upon which the pre-characterising clause of claim 1 is based, discloses a combined airway and obturator device for sealing a patient's pharynx during anaesthesia without penetration of the device into the larynx, the device comprising a body of resilient material defining a chamber, the body having a leading end and a trailing end and being bounded by first and second opposed elongate surface, an opening in the body, the opening serving to place said chamber in communication with the laryngeal inlet of a patient, and a hollow stem protruding from the chamber at the trailing end of the chamber for connecting the interior of the chamber, through the mouth of the patient, to an external ventilation apparatus.

    [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an appropriately shaped artificial airway which will obviate the need for a cuff-blowing up mechanism for sealing purposes and yet one that retains most of the advantages of the use of endotracheal tubes, Combitubes or laryngeal masks in the abovementioned circumstances and to avoid, as far as it is possible, their individual disadvantages.

    [0007] According to the present invention there is provided a combined airway and obturator device for sealing a patient's pharynx during anaesthesia without penetration of the device into the larynx, the device comprising a body of resilient material defining a chamber, the body having a leading end and a trailing end and being bounded by first and second opposed elongate surface, an opening in the body, the opening serving to place said chamber in communication with the laryngeal inlet of a patient, and a hollow stem protruding from the chamber at the trailing end of the chamber for connecting the interior of the chamber, through the mouth of the patient, to an external ventilation apparatus, characterised in that the chamber is elongate and saccular and in that said first surface has a raised ridge across it, the ridge being shaped so as sealingly to contact the base of the tongue adjacent the epiglottis and the second surface being shaped so as sealingly to contact the back of the patient's throat whereby the pharynx is sealed, said opening being in said first surface and being on one side of the ridge, and said stem being on the other side of the ridge and at an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to the direction of elongation of the chamber.

    [0008] More particularly, the device operates as a combined obturator and airway device without penetration into the larynx comprises a flexible pre-formed shaped saccular chamber designed to seal in the pharynx at the base of the tongue and having a semi-rigid hollow stem projecting from a position at or near one end of the chamber or an obtuse angle (ie 90° to 180°) to the longitudinal axis of the said chamber. The chamber is provided with one or more openings, and is dimensioned and arranged so that in use it is adapted to sealingly engage in a patient's pharynx with at leas tone opening communicating with the patient's laryngeal inlet. The stem extends into or through the patient's mouth for connection to a breathing circuit.

    [0009] In order to facilitate the description of the device, the surfaces which are referred to herein as "upper" and "lower" are those which respectively are upper and lower when the device is in use in a patient lying on his back, or as viewed as a foot with its sole lowermost.

    [0010] The saccular chamber is preferably of a generally rounded foot-shape with the rounded narrow part of the foot having its under face slightly angled, preferably about 15° to the longitudinal axis of the chamber, to ease insertion of the device into a patient's pharynx. The upper face of the chamber is preferably of a substantially concave form and is provided with a transverse ridge with a pair of lateral lumps to act as a sealing area which in use is arranged to conform with a patient's pyriform fossae and produce a seal with the pharyngeal walls at the base of the tongue. The hollow stem forms a flexible junction with the wider part of the foot, which when flexed does not distort the shape of the sealing portion of the chamber.

    [0011] The generally foot-shaped saccular chamber may additionally be provided with a bulb or lobe as a 'heel' extending beyond the stem and so dimensional and arranged so that in use it engages into the patient's nasal-pharynx in order to hold the device in the required position.

    [0012] The relative stiffness of the stem compared with that of the chamber may cause the chamber to buckle resiliently at the foot of the stem when the stem is turned towards the perpendicular. In use however the design is such that the shape of the part of the chamber that would make contact with the pharyngeal wall and the nasal pharynx is retained.

    [0013] The upper face of the chamber between the 'toe' end of the chamber and the ridge with the two lumps is preferably concave along its length - or crescent-shaped in cross-section in order to better conform with the shape of a patient's pharynx. This shape decreases the chance of the toe catching the epiglottis at insertion. The toe protrudes beyond the laryngeal opening so that in use it extends into the entrance of the oesophagus where it provides a seal in order to prevent any gas from entering the stomach.

    [0014] Two openings are provided on the forward face so that in use they are arranged to collect any liquid in the blind end of the chamber and thus in use prevent any liquid from entering the patient's larynx, trachea or lungs. Liquid can be removed from the chamber as required by aspirating it through a catheter inserted into the chamber.

    [0015] A vertical ridge between the said two openings may be provided on the upper face of the foot so that in use it is arranged to both hold the epiglottis away from the opening and will maintain resilience of the ridge between the said two 'lateral lumps'. The resilience of the ridge is important to prevent the base of the tongue moving towards the posterior pharyngeal wall as this movement is associated with the epiglottis closing against the laryngeal opening (or glottis).

    [0016] The device will now be described in greater detail in relation to its preferred method of use. This is a type of pharyngeal outlet obturator airway (POOBAIR) and may include the standard 15 mm tapered attachment connector inserted into or over the end of the said hollow stem for attachment to breathing apparatus, said stem extending through the mouth, where it may bend to conform to the gentle curved shape of the tongue pushing against the hard palate, to the said saccular foot-shaped chamber portion that is located in the pharynx, with longitudinal axis approximately at right angles to the stem at the entrance to the mouth, the bend at the junction of stem with chamber as it hooks into the base of the tongue and expands to form an upward-outlet-from-the-pharynx gas tight seal (the said obturator function) in the space that extends from the base of the tongue or glossoepiglottic fold and the two lateral pyriform fossae or valleculae in the anterior aspect, and in a crescent shaped arc seals at the same level against the lateral and posterior pharyngeal walls. The opening in the front of the chamber corresponds with the laryngeal opening for the passage of gas to flow between the larynx and the airway device. The said saccular chamber may be extended further and with benefit include each or all of:
    1. a) a rounded extension of the saccular chamber for the purpose of protruding into the entrance of the oesophagus to seal the "downward" outlet from the pharynx into the oesophagus thereby closing off all outlets, obturating downward and upward outlets from the pharynx except via the chamber and stem open ends of the device. The blind downward obturating toe of the foot along with the hollow chamber also provides a means of collecting secretions within the device.
    2. b) an upward extension of the chamber to incorporate a heel-shape that corresponds to the nasopharynx and soft palate for the purpose of ensuring a more stable location of the sealing airway in the pharynx by anchoring the said device in its position in the pharynx as it settles into the nasopharynx and soft palate in such a way as to prevent expulsion as the airway pressure rises.


    [0017] Accordingly, one common characteristic in the above existing artificial airway devices is the need for an inflatable cuff to expand into the right size pharyngeal cavity. In devices in accordance with the invention, this is obviated because they are supplied in a variety of sizes typically seven, so that the appropriate size to be chosen may specifically match the size of each prospective patient's pharyngeal cavity.

    [0018] In order that the invention may be well understood, there will now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

    Figures 1 to 5 show one embodiment of the invention;

    Figures 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the invention;

    Figures 9 to 11 show another embodiment of the invention; and

    Figures 12 to 15 show two embodiments adapted to allow for an unusual or enlarged pharyngeal tonsillar anatomy.



    [0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an airway device in accordance with the invention from above, Fig. 2 is another perspective view from above, Fig. 3 is a side elevation, Fig.4 is a front elevation, and Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the device in relation to the anatomy of a patient.

    [0020] Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation of a second embodiment of the airway device in relation to the anatomy of a patient, Fig.7 is a front elevation of the device in Fig. 6, and Fig.8 is a side elevation..

    [0021] Figs. 9 is a perspective view of a 'truncated' form of the device from above, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view from the front and Fig. 11 is a side elevation.

    [0022] Fig. 12 is a side elevation of an alternative form of the device and Fig. 13 is a rear elevation and Figs. 14 and 15 represent another variant of the same form.

    [0023] Figures 1 to 5 show an artificial airway device 10 for use as a combined obturator and airway device without penetration into the larynx shaped and pre-formed of a resilient material. It comprises a flexible saccular chamber 14 and has a semi-rigid hollow stem 12 projecting from a position at or near one end of the chamber 14 with junction between the stem 12 and the chamber 14 at 19. The stem 12 is set at about 45° to the longitudinal axis of the chamber 14 and can be flexed into a curve that deviates up to 90 degrees from the said longitudinal axis. The chamber has one or more openings 13, shown here as two vertical slits.

    [0024] The device exists in a range of different sizes to fit patients from a child to a large adult. In use the anaesthetist will select a suitably dimensioned device, generally by measuring the patient's thyroid cartilage and choosing a matching diameter for the device, so that in use the chamber 14 is adapted to sealingly engage in the patient's pharynx with at least one opening 13 communicating with the patient's laryngeal inlet. The stem 12 extends into or through the patient's mouth for connection to a breathing circuit via an adaptor 40 at its open end 11.

    [0025] The saccular chamber 14 is of a generally a rounded foot-shape, with the 'toe' part 20 of the foot having a lower face 21 slightly angled, preferably about 15° to the longitudinal axis of the chamber 14, to ease insertion of the device into a patient's pharynx. The chamber is provided with a ridge 25 on its upper face extending to a pair of lateral lumps 24 and a substantially convex-planar lower face 30 to produce a sealing zone so that at this point the shape of the chamber is adapted to conform substantially with a patient's pharyngeal walls at the base of the tongue.

    [0026] The hollow stem 12 forms a flexible junction with chamber at 19, so that when it is flexed it does not distort the shape of the sealing portion of the chamber between the ridge, the lateral lumps 24 and the rounded under-side of the chamber. The lumps 24 are adapted to conform with the patient's pyriform fossae to act as an anchoring means at the base of the tongue and to keep the base of the tongue from the posterior pharyngeal wall when in use.

    [0027] The general foot shape is completed (Fig. 1-5) by a bulb or lobe 26 extending beyond the stem to form a heel. In use (Fig. 5), the lobe 26 is so dimensioned and arranged that it engages into the patient's nasal-pharynx in order to hold the device in the required position. The relative stiffness of the stem 12 compared with the chamber causes the chamber to buckle resiliently at the foot of the stem 19 when the stem is turned towards the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber, notwithstanding that in use the shape of the sealing zone around the ridge is maintained in contact with the pharyngeal wall and the lobe 26 remains engaged in the nasal pharynx.

    [0028] The ridge 25 in the front between the said lateral lumps 24 is sufficiently resilient so that in use it holds the epiglottis away from the laryngeal opening. To increase the resilience of the chamber 14 and its resistance to collapse at the level of the said ridge, 24 and 25, and thus to facilitate the holding the base of the tongue away from the posterior pharyngeal wall, indentations on both surfaces on either side of the ridge are provided. In use, these indentations will abut their opposite numbers 31 with 15 and 32 with 16, to provide the desired stiffness, yet allowing sufficient flexibility for the chamber to comfortably adapt to the patient's pharynx and avoiding subsequent irritation to the throat.

    [0029] In use as shown in Fig.5 The tip of the rounded foot shaped or 'toe' end 20 of the chamber is dimensioned so that it protrudes beyond the laryngeal opening sealing the oesophagus O in order to prevent gas from entering the stomach.

    [0030] The two openings 13 in addition to providing the airway connection with the patient's laryngeal opening are arranged to collect by gravity any liquid in the bottom of the chamber 14 and thus in use prevent the liquid from entering the patient's larynx, trachea or lungs.

    [0031] A longitudinal bar 16 between the two openings 13 is provided on the upper face of the chamber so that in use it is arranged to both hold the epiglottis away from the opening and to contribute to the stiffness of the ridge 25 between the two lumps 24. Additionally, this helps the ridge to perform one of its main functions, namely, to keep the base of the tongue away from the posterior pharyngeal wall. The bar 16 also acts as a barrier to a catheter which may be used to aspirate liquid from the chamber during use and prevents it from entering the larynx.

    [0032] The upper surface of the chamber 14 between the ridge 25 and the stem is in the form of a hollow 27. When in position, the hollow 27 receives the posterior portion of the tongue with the lumps 24 and the ridge 25 hooked around the base of the tongue.

    [0033] The upper face of the toe end of the chamber 14 is provided with a pair of lateral ribs 22 with a gentle indentation 23 where they respectively join the lumps 24. This serves the purpose of the device better conforming to anatomical accuracy, when in use, with the said gentle indentation 23 corresponding to pharyngeal mucosa that overlies the cricoid cartilage. This is to decrease pressure on the pharyngeal mucosa at this site, in order to lower the incidence of sore throats.

    [0034] The saccular chamber thus fits precisely into the shape of the pharynx and with the stem bent to form almost a right angled bend at the junction 19. Airway pressure that may rise during positive pressure ventilation would tend to push the device in the direction of the nasopharyngeal cavity Nc but is held in position by the heel 26, thus preventing it from being dislodged. When it is desirable to remove the device, this may be achieved by pulling on the stem 12, which automatically dislodges 26 in an appropriate direction from the soft palate Sp and nasopharyngeal cavity Nc.

    [0035] It may also be appreciated that should secretions or stomach contents accumulate in the pharynx for any reason, the two openings 13 provide a means for allowing pharyngeal secretions to flow into the saccular chamber 14 of the hollow device 10 providing a 'sump' means for the collection of the liquid. This can be aspirated by means of a suction catheter that may be passed via the end 11 and stem 12 at a convenient time.

    [0036] For quick easy 'blind' (i.e. without the need for a laryngoscope) insertion of the device 10, the toe 20 in Figs 3 and 5, is shaped with an anterior curve 21 at an angle of about 15° towards the laryngeal opening surface of the toe 20. This upturned 'toe' 20 facilitates the negotiation of the device 10 at the level of posterior part of the tongue and nasopharynx.

    [0037] The part of the chamber 14, extending from the ridge 24 to the toe 20 is in the form of a concavity with lateral ribs 22, which in cross-section is crescent shaped. The purpose is twofold. With insertion, the shape tends to allow for the epiglottis to escape being picked up and dragged downwards, producing downfolding and obstruction. The other purpose is that the entrance to the oesophagus is crescent-shaped with the anterior to the oesophagus positioned larynx providing the reason for the concave aspect of the crescent. As such there is a better downward seal without a marked oesophageal dilatation, which tends to cause epiglottic closure.

    [0038] For quick easy 'blind' (i.e. without the need for a laryngoscope) insertion of the device, it may be necessary to use an introducer (a stiff flexible curved rod) with its tip inserted into the device from the said first end as far as the toe 20, so that possible folding of the device is avoided.

    [0039] In its preferred form, the device is manufactured by means of blow-molding a grade of soft thermoplastic with rubbery characteristics and is blow molded into the shape described and illustrated in the drawings. The use of suitable resilient flexible materials will allow the devices to retain their shape without causing excessive pressure against the pharyngeal walls when in position. The device can thus be manufactured at minimal cost and is intended for a single use.

    [0040] It is desirable that the stem 12 enters the saccular portion 14 at an appropriate angle to conform to the shape of the pharynx and outlet via the mouth. In order that this be achieved, a measure of flexibility is required and achieved at the junction 19 by means of an oval or rounded rectangular cross-section of the stem 12. In order to improve the flexing at the point 19 where the stem meets the chamber, the cross-section of the stem is reduced at 28.

    [0041] As the device 10 is hollow, there is capacity for placement of porous hydrophobic material or other filter elements within the saccular chamber 14 to provide heat and moisture exchange within the device and filtration.

    [0042] The device shown in Figs. 6 to 8 is substantially similar to the one shown in Figs. 1 to 5 and described above. It differs to the extent that the stem is joined to the chamber 14 just above the ridge 24 so that in use access to the throat and tonsillar region is possible.

    [0043] Alternatively, in Figs 9-11, an artificial airway device 10, for use in place of an endotracheal tube to facilitate ventilation of the lung in unconscious patients, is in the form of a pharyngeal outlet obturator airway 10 or POOBAIR. It differs from the device described in Figs. 1 to 5 in that the toe 20 has been truncated, and accordingly does not offer the advantage of being able to provide the downward seal to the oesophagus. It offers the one advantage of not requiring such deep insertion and therefore is less stimulatory and may be more tolerable at lighter planes of anaesthesia.

    [0044] The chamber 14 in use forms an upward-outlet-from-the-pharynx gas tight seal at the zone 24,25 in the space that extends from the base of the tongue or glossoepiglottic fold GE and the two pyriform fossae in the anterior aspect that correspond with the two lumps 24, the lateral and posterior pharyngeal walls and extending to the toe 20 of the chamber 14 that corresponds to the nasopharynx N and soft palate S.

    [0045] The two embodiments of the device as shown in Figs 12 and 13, and 14 and 15 have a narrowed neck 42 between the body of the saccular chamber 14 and the heel 26. As shown in Fig. 12- 15 the advantage of the heel 26 is retained which is adapted to engage in the nasal pharynx. The advantage of these embodiments is that they can be used in cases where the patient's tonsillar anatomy would preclude the use of the devices described above. They can also provide improved flexibility and simplify mould making.

    KEY TO ANATOMICAL TERMS



    [0046] 
    Ao
    = Anterior Oesophageal Wall
    B =
    Base of Tongue
    Ep =
    Epiglottis
    Ge =
    Glosso-epiglottic fold
    Hp =
    Hard palate
    L =
    Laryngeal opening
    M =
    Mouth
    Nc =
    Nasal cavity
    N =
    Nasopharynx
    O =
    Oesophagus
    Oc =
    Oral cavity
    P =
    Pharynx
    Sp =
    Soft palate
    Te =
    Teeth
    T =
    Tongue
    Tr =
    Trachea
    U =
    Uvula



    Claims

    1. A combined airway and obturator device (10) for sealing a patient's pharynx during anaesthesia without penetration of the device into the larynx, the device (10) comprising a body of resilient material defining a chamber (14), the body having a leading end and a trailing end and being bounded by first and second opposed elongate surface (30), an opening (13) in the body, the opening (13) serving to place said chamber (14) in communication with the laryngeal inlet of a patient, and a hollow stem (12) protruding from the chamber at the trailing end of the chamber for connecting the interior of the chamber, through the mouth of the patient, to an external ventilation apparatus, characterised in that the chamber (14) is elongate and saccular and in that said first surface has a raised ridge (25) across it and a pair of lateral lumps (24), the ridge (25) being shaped so as sealingly to contact the base of the tongue adjacent the epiglottis and the second surface (30) being shaped so as sealingly to contact the back of the patient's throat whereby the pharynx is sealed, said opening (13) being in said first surface and being on one side of the ridge (25), and said stem (12) being on the other side of the ridge and at an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to the direction of elongation of the chamber.
     
    2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first surface includes a pair of laterally spaced lumps (24) which stand proud of the ridge (25), the ridge extending transversely across said first surface between said lumps.
     
    3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first surface of the saccular chamber is generally curved in the direction of its length in order better to conform with the shape of the human pharynx.
     
    4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein corresponding indentations (15, 16, 31, 32) are formed on each side of the ridge (25) of both surfaces of the saccular chamber, dimensioned and arranged so that in use each pair of corresponding indentations abut each other in order to increase the rigidity of the chamber and the ridge and in use to prevent the collapse of the chamber.
     
    5. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said stem (12) is of rectangular cross section with one dimension greater than the other to facilitate flexing of the stem by bending of the larger dimension faces thereof.
     
    6. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a lobe (26) at said trailing end of the body, the lobe (26) protruding beyond the junction between the stem (12) and the body.
     
    7. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the part (21) of the second surface which is at the leading end of the body, is upwardly angled at between 15 and 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body over 15 to 30 percent of its length.
     
    8. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a leading part including said leading end and said ridge and a trailing part to which said stem (12) is connected, there being a tubular neck (42) between said body parts.
     
    9. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there are two openings (13) in said body, the openings being side-by-side and extending in the direction of the length of the body, the openings (13) being separated from one another by a bar (16) which is on the centre line of the body.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Vorrichtung (10) mit kombiniertem Luftkanal und Absperrorgan, um während der Narkose den Pharynx eines Patienten zu verschließen, ohne daß die Vorrichtung in den Larynx eindringt, wobei die Vorrichtung (10) folgendes aufweist: einen Körper aus elastischem Material, das eine Kammer (14) bildet, wobei der Körper ein vorderes Ende und ein hinteres Ende besitzt und durch erste und zweite, gegenüberliegende langgestreckte Oberflächen (30) begrenzt ist; eine Öffnung (13) in dem Körper, wobei die Öffnung dazu dient, die Kammer (14) in Verbindung mit dem laryngealen Einlaß eines Patienten anzuordnen; und einen hohlen Schaft (12), der aus der Kammer an dem hinteren Ende der Kammer vorsteht, um den Innenraum der Kammer, durch den Mund des Patienten, mit einer externen Beatmungsvorrichtung zu verbinden,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    daß die Kammer (14) langgestreckt und sackförmig ausgebildet ist,
    daß die erste Oberfläche eine hochgezogene Rippe (25) quer über sie und ein Paar von seitlichen Klumpen (24) aufweist, wobei die Rippe (25) derart geformt ist, daß sie in abdichtender Weise mit der Basis der Zunge in der Nähe der Epiglottis in Kontakt steht,
    und daß die zweite Oberfläche (30) so geformt ist, daß sie in abdichtender Weise mit der Rückseite der Kehle des Patienten in Kontakt steht, so daß der Pharynx abgedichtet ist, wobei die Öffnung (13) in der ersten Oberfläche ausgebildet und an der einen Seite der Rippe (25) vorgesehen ist, und wobei der Schaft (12) an der anderen Seite der Rippe vorgesehen und unter einem Winkel zwischen 90° und 180° bezüglich der Richtung der Längserstreckung der Kammer angeordnet ist.
     
    2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei die erste Oberfläche ein Paar von seitlich beanstandeten Klumpen (24) aufweist, die aus der Rippe (25) herausragen, wobei die Rippe sich in Querrichtung über die erste Oberfläche zwischen den Klumpen erstreckt.
     
    3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
    wobei die erste Oberfläche der sackförmigen Kammer im allgemeinen in der Richtung ihrer Länge gekrümmt ist, um eine bessere Anpassung an die Gestalt des menschlichen Pharynx zu bieten.
     
    4. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche,
    wobei entsprechende Vertiefungen (15, 16, 31, 32) an jeder Seite der Rippe (25) der beiden Oberflächen der sackförmigen Kammer ausgebildet sind, die derart dimensioniert und angeordnet sind, daß im Gebrauch jedes Paar von entsprechenden Vertiefungen aneinander anliegt, um die Steifigkeit der Kammer und der Rippe zu erhöhen und im Gebrauch das Kolabieren der Kammer zu verhindern.
     
    5. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
    wobei der Schaft (12) einen rechteckigen Querschnitt besitzt, wobei die eine Dimension größer als die andere ist, um das Biegen des Schaftes durch ein Biegen der Seiten mit den größeren Dimensionen zu erleichtern.
     
    6. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
    wobei eine Keule (26) an dem hinteren Ende des Körpers vorgesehen ist, wobei die Keule (26) über die Verbindung zwischen dem Schaft (12) und dem Körper hinaus vorsteht.
     
    7. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
    wobei der Teil (21) der zweiten Oberfläche, der sich an dem vorderen Ende des Körpers befindet, unter einem Winkel zwischen 15° und 30° nach oben abgewinkelt ist, und zwar bezüglich der Längsachse des Körpers über 15% bis 30% seiner Länge.
     
    8. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
    wobei der Körper ein vorderes Teil, welches das vordere Ende und die Rippe umfaßt, und ein hinteres Teil aufweist, mit dem der Schaft (12) verbunden ist, wobei ein rohrförmiger Hals (42) zwischen den Teilen des Körpers vorgesehen ist.
     
    9. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
    wobei zwei Öffnungen (13) in dem Körper vorgesehen sind, wobei die Öffnungen nebeneinander angeordnet sind und sich in der Längsrichtung des Körpers erstrecken, wobei die Öffnungen (13) voneinander mit einer Stange (16) getrennt sind, die sich in der Mittellinie des Körpers befindet.
     


    Revendications

    1. Dispositif combiné (10) formant voie respiratoire et obturateur destiné à obturer le pharynx d'un patient pendant une anesthésie sans pénétration du dispositif dans le larynx, le dispositif (10) comprenant un corps en matière élastique qui définit une chambre (14), le corps ayant une extrémité avant et une extrémité arrière et étant délimité par des première et seconde surfaces allongées opposées (30), une ouverture (13) ménagée dans le corps, l'ouverture (13) servant à mettre ladite chambre (14) en communication avec l'entrée du larynx d'un patient, et une tige creuse (12) qui fait saillie sur la chambre, à l'extrémité arrière de la chambre, pour relier l'intérieur de la chambre à un appareil de ventilation externe à travers la bouche du patient, caractérisé en ce que la chambre (14) est allongée et en forme de sac et en ce que ladite première surface présente une crête en relief (25) s'étendant en travers et une paire de bosses latérales (24), la crête (25) étant conformée de manière à entrer en contact étanche avec la base de la langue dans la région adjacente à l'épiglotte et la seconde surface (30) étant conformée pour entrer en contact étanche avec l'arrière de la gorge du patient, de sorte sur la pharynx est obturé, ladite ouverture (13) étant située dans ladite première surface et se trouvant d'un côté de la crête (25), et ladite tige (12) se trouvant de l'autre côté de la crête et étant inclinée d'un angle d'entre 90 et 180 degrés par rapport à la direction de la longueur de la chambre.
     
    2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite première surface présente une paire de bosses (24) espacées latéralement, qui s'élèvent sur la crête (25), la crête s'étendant transversalement en travers de ladite première surface entre lesdites bosses.
     
    3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel la première surface de la chambre en forme de sac est de forme générale incurvée dans la direction de sa longueur pour mieux se conformer à la forme du pharynx humain.
     
    4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel des bosselures correspondantes (15, 16, 31, 32) sont formées dans les zones des deux surfaces de la chambre en forme de sac situées de part et d'autre de la crête (25), et sont dimensionnées et arrangées de telle manière qu'en utilisation, les deux bosselures de chaque paire de bosselures correspondantes butent l'une contre l'autre pour renforcer la rigidité de la chambre et de la crête et empêcher la chambre de s'aplatir en utilisation.
     
    5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite tige (12) est de section rectangulaire, avec une dimension plus grande que l'autre pour faciliter la flexion de la tige par courbure de ses faces de grande dimension.
     
    6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un lobe (26) est prévu à ladite extrémité arrière du corps, le lobe (26) faisant saillie au-delà de la jonction entre la tige (12) et le corps.
     
    7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie (21) de la seconde surface qui se trouve à l'extrémité avant du corps est inclinée vers le haut, d'entre 15 et 30 degrés par rapport à l'axe longitudinal du corps, sur 15 à 30 pourcent de sa longueur.
     
    8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le corps comprend une partie avant comprenant ladite extrémité avant et ladite crête, et une partie arrière à laquelle ladite tige (12) est reliée, et dans lequel il y a un col tubulaire (42) entre les deux parties du corps.
     
    9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel il y a deux ouvertures (13) dans ledit corps, les ouvertures étant côte à côte et s'étendant dans la direction de la longueur du corps, les ouvertures (13) étant séparées l'une de l'autre par un barreau (16) qui se trouve sur l'axe du corps.
     




    Drawing