Importance

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Abstract

An oropharyngeal airway device (1) which includes a unitary tube (2) and a locating flange (6). The locating flange (6) forms, in combination with a first portion (4) of the tube (2), at least part of a mouthpiece (7) defining an inlet (8) to a passage (3). The flange (6) is adapted to locate adjacent an outer surface of the patient's mouth and the first portion (4) of the tube (2) extends into the mouth cavity. The tube (2) has a second portion (5), extending from said first portion (4), which has a distal end defining an outlet (12) to the tube (2) and which is adapted to extend to a location closely adjacent the base of the tongue. In use, the tube (2) is generally hook shaped with first portion (4) being substantially straight and the second portion (5) being of an arcuate form, extending obliquely from the first portion (4) and configured to follow the pharyngeal arc defined by the passage from the rear of the patient's mouth cavity through the oropharynx to a location adjacent the glottis. Alternatively or additionally to the tube shape described above, the outlet (12) at the distal end of the tube (2) can be defined by a first opening (13) that is configured to align with the opening to the larynx. Alternatively or additionally to the tube shape or the first opening described above, the device (1) can include internal markings (26) for guiding an endoscope therethrough.

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First Claim