Patent ID: 7128071

Claim:
A laryngeal mask airway device, comprising: A. a rigid airway tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the airway tube defining an internal passage, the airway tube further defining a first notch, the first notch extending along a length of the tube from a location on the tube towards the distal end of the tube; B. a mask portion coupled to the distal end of the airway tube, the mask portion including an inflatable cuff, the cuff defining a central opening at least when inflated, 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 tube through the internal passage to the glottic opening when the cuff is inflated and when the mask portion is at the inserted location, the mask portion including an epiglottis elevator bar, the bar extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the bar defining an aperture, the bar being positionable in a resting position and an open position; C. one or more optical fibers extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a lens connected to the distal end of the fibers, the fibers extending through the first notch, the lens being disposed near the aperture defined by the bar when the bar is in the resting position, the fibers and lens providing a view of a region that extends from the lens through the aperture defined by the bar.