Patent ID: 7004169

Claim:
A laryngeal mask airway device, including: A. at least one airway tube having a proximal end and a distal end; B. a drainage tube having a proximal end and a distal end; C. a mask portion coupled to the airway tube and the drainage tube, the mask portion including an inflatable cuff, the mask portion being insertable through a mouth of a patient to an inserted location within the patient, the cuff surrounding a glottic opening of the patient when inflated and when the mask portion is at the inserted location, a sealed airway passage extending from the proximal end of the airway tube to the glottic opening when the cuff is inflated and when the mask portion is at the inserted location, the distal end of the drainage tube contacting an oesophageal inlet of the patient when the mask portion is at the inserted location, the distal end of the drainage tube being in a first position when (i) the mask portion is at the inserted location, (ii) the mask portion is inflated, and (iii) the oesophageal inlet is closed, the distal end of the drainage tube being in a second position when (i) the mask portion is at the inserted location, (ii) the mask portion is inflated, and (iii) the esophegeal inlet is open, an area of an opening at the distal end of the drainage tube being greater when the distal end of the drainage tube is in the second position than when in the first position.