Patent ID: 8631796

Claim:
A laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening as used during general anesthesia, intensive care, or critical patient care, comprising: an inflatable positioning shield formed to fit within a patient's oropharynx, said inflatable positioning shield having an inflatable, hollow peripheral portion, a pliable posterior base in fluid communication with the peripheral portion, a shield recess formed after inflation of the peripheral portion, a rear portion formed between the posterior base and the peripheral portion after inflation of the peripheral portion, wherein the inflatable positioning shield has a recessed front portion; and a respiratory tube having a proximal end lumen, a curved tubular body of sufficient size to permit passage of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments, and a distal end passing through the rear portion of the inflatable positioning shield and secured to the rear portion of the inflatable positioning shield, the distal end terminating at a distal lumen, the distal lumen passing through the peripheral portion of the inflatable positioning shield and secured to the rear portion of the inflatable positioning shield such that tubes and instruments passing through the respiratory tube will be directed into the laryngeal opening.