Laryngeal mask
A supraglottic airway 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 where the shield is constructed of a generally single-use blow-molded structure.
1. A method of constructing a laryngeal mask airway; the method comprising providing a respiratory tube having a distal and a proximal end;
blow-molding a shield, said shield formed as a single unitary piece comprising an inflatable outer ring formed of a single layer of material and a posterior base formed of at least a double layer of the same material, wherein the at least a double layer of the posterior base is formed by pushing together two opposing surfaces of the blow-molded shield;
providing an inflation tube having a distal and a proximal end;
assembling said airway by inserting said respiratory tube through said outer ring in such a manner that said respiratory tube intersects said outer ring so that there is no air transmission between said respiratory tube and said outer ring; and
placing said distal end of said inflation tube within said outer ring.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said posterior base is the base of a recessed cavity surrounded by said outer ring.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said distal end of said respiratory tube extends into said recessed cavity.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said double layer of said posterior base is more than twice as thick of said single layer of said inflatable outer ring.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said airway is intended to be disposed of after a single use.