Patent ID: 8568438

Claim:
A nasal-pharyngeal bypass useful for establishing an airway for the patient, the bypass comprising: a collapsible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending through the tube, and a length between the proximal and distal ends so that, when the tube is inserted through the patient's nostril, through the patient's nasal cavity, and into the patient's throat, the distal end of the tube is above the patient's epiglottis and the proximal end of the tube is outside of the patient's nostril; wherein the tube has a collapsed configuration in which the tube is sized to be inserted through the patient's nasal cavity; and wherein the tube has an expanded configuration in which the tube is sized to be retained in the patient's nasal cavity and establish a bypass airway for the patient through the lumen of the tube; wherein the tube comprises a flat sheet, the flat sheet having a cavity therein, a closed distal end, and an opening in the proximal end communicating with the cavity, wherein the cavity extends from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein the flat sheet is rolled onto itself to form the tube, and including a one-way valve in the proximal opening; and wherein the proximal and distal ends define a longitudinal direction, and wherein the cavity includes finger portions which extend away from the longitudinal direction.