Oropharyngeal measurement device and method

1. An oropharyngeal measurement device comprising:

a tubular body having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end;

a sealed channel extending within the tubular body from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular body, the sealed channel including a plurality of bends configured to conform with an airway of a user;

a radial flange member fixed to the proximal end of the tubular body, the radial flange member configured to locate adjacent to an outer surface of a mouth of the user; and

a measurement indicator on the outer surface of the tubular body.

2. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the measurement indicator comprises a plurality of stripes.

3. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of stripes is equal in width.

4. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of stripes is perpendicular in relation to the tubular body.

5. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of stripes includes a color code.

6. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of stripes circumscribes the tubular body.

7. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 5 , wherein the color code of each stripe is non-repeating on the tubular body.

8. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 5 , wherein the color code of each stripe is configured to represent a length for selecting an oropharyngeal airway device.

9. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the measurement indicator further comprises functional indicia.

10. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 9 , wherein the functional indicia includes a measurement guide.

11. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the distal end includes a rounded edge.

12. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the tubular body tapers in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end.

13. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the device weighs less than 2 lbs.

14. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is generally elliptical when viewed in transverse cross-section.

15. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises rubber.

16. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises plastic.

17. An oropharyngeal measurement device comprising:

a tubular body having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end;

a sealed channel extending within the tubular body from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular body, the sealed channel including a plurality of bends configured to conform with an airway of a user;

a radial flange member fixed to the proximal end of the tubular body, the radial flange member configured to locate adjacent to an outer surface of a mouth of the user; and

a measurement indicator on the outer surface of the tubular body;

wherein the measurement indicator comprises a plurality of stripes;

wherein each of the plurality of stripes is equal in width;

wherein each of the plurality of stripes is perpendicular in relation to the tubular body;

wherein each of the plurality of stripes includes a color code;

wherein the plurality of stripes circumscribes the tubular body;

wherein the color code of each stripe is non-repeating on the tubular body;

wherein the color code of each stripe is configured to represent a length for selecting an oropharyngeal airway device;

wherein the measurement indicator further comprises functional indicia;

wherein the functional indicia includes a measurement guide;

wherein the distal end includes a rounded edge;

wherein the tubular body tapers in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end;

wherein the device weighs less than 2 lbs;

wherein the tubular body is generally elliptical when viewed in transverse cross-section;

wherein the device comprises rubber;

wherein the device comprises plastic.

18. The oropharyngeal measurement device of claim 17 , further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein the device is arranged as a kit.

19. A method for using an oropharyngeal measurement device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an oropharyngeal measurement device including a tubular body having an outer surface a proximal end and a distal end, a sealed channel extending within the tubular body from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular body, a radial flange member fixed to the proximal end of the tubular body, and a measurement indicator on the outer surface of the tubular body;

holding the oropharyngeal measurement device alongside a face of a user, the device positioned with the radial flange approximate the user's mouth; and

identifying an appropriate length for an oropharyngeal airway device based upon the measurement indicator.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:

locating an oropharyngeal airway device that corresponds in dimensions to the appropriate length identified with the measurement indicator of the oropharyngeal measurement device; and

inserting the selected oropharyngeal airway device into the airway of the user.