Patent ID: 7275541

Claim:
A multilumen, unilimb breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits, each of said conduits having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said first conduit can be operatively connected to an inlet for respiratory gases and said second conduit can be operatively connected to an outlet for respiratory gases, and said distal ends of said first and second conduits are operatively connected to a distal fitting which is detachably connectable directly to a patient airway device, the patient airway device can be selected from the group consisting of a mask, an endotracheal tube, a laryngeal mask, a laryngeal tube, and a nasal tube, and axial extension or contraction of said second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of said first conduit, wherein upon axial extension of said second conduit from a first compressed axial conformation to a second expanded axial conformation, or vice versa, said second conduit will retain said second conformation, and said first conduit will expand or contract in length with corresponding axial expansion or contraction of said second conduit, wherein said first and second conduits are proximal to the breathing circuit distal fitting, wherein the airflow resistance and compliance of said circuit is sufficiently low to meet the requirements for spontaneous ventilation and assisted ventilation.