Laryngeal Mask Airway Device

1 . A laryngeal mask airway device for insertion into a patient to provide an airway passage to the patient's glottic opening, the device comprising an airway tube, a mask attached to the airway tube, the mask comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, a peripheral inflatable cuff, and defining an outlet for gas, the mask being connected to the airway tube for gaseous communication between the tube and the mask, the distal end of the mask being ventrally displaced, relative to the proximal end.

2 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the extent of distal displacement is from about 5 mm to about 20 mm.

3 . A device according to claim 2 , wherein the extent of distal displacement is about 10 mm.

4 . A device according to claim 1 , the body describing a substantially convex curve, from the proximal to distal end.

5 . A device according to claim 1 , the mask body comprising a plate, the plate having a dorsal side and a ventral side, the dorsal side being substantially smooth and having a convex curvature across its width.

6 . A device according to claim 5 , the airway tube having a dorsal surface, the dorsal surface of the airway tube corresponding in curvature to the curvature across the width of the plate.

7 . A device according to claim 1 , the airway tube comprising a relatively more rigid material than the mask body.

8 . A device according to claim 1 , further including an oesophageal drain tube.

9 . A device according to claim 8 , the oesophageal drain tube being disposed on the ventral side of the body.