Nasopharyngeal airway devices
A nasopharyngeal airway device includes an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end. The elongate body has an outer surface defining one or more open channels extending along the elongate body. The nasopharyngeal airway device includes a securement component securely coupled to the elongate body. The securement component is configured to secure the nasopharyngeal airway device within a nostril of an individual.
1 . A nasopharyngeal airway device, comprising:
an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end, the elongate body having an outer surface defining one or more open channels extending along the elongate body between the distal end and the proximal end, each channel has a lateral opening that at least one of a) extends continuously longitudinally from the distal end to the proximal end, b) extends continuously longitudinally along at least half of the elongate body, or c) extends continuously along the elongate body from the proximal end to a location beyond a midpoint of the elongate body; and
a securement component securely coupled to the elongate body, wherein the securement component includes a rounded projection, the projection having a circular or oblong cross-section at a plane parallel to the outer surface of the elongate body, the projection extending perpendicularly from the outer surface of the elongate body, the projection spaced from the proximal end of the elongate body, the securement component being configured to secure the nasopharyngeal airway device within a nostril of an individual, the projection adapted to be inserted into the nostril.
2 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels comprise at least one of a straight-channel portion or a helical pattern portion.
3 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels comprises a single channel.
4 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 3 , wherein the elongate body includes edges having opposing inward facing stops that define a lateral opening.
5 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 4 , wherein the stops have at least one of flat surfaces or corresponding contours that are positioned to abut one another.
6 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 3 , wherein the elongate body has a smooth inner surface that defines the channel or has an inner surface that defines the channel and has a spiral protrusion.
7 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 3 , wherein the elongate body has a lateral opening that extends longitudinally along at least half of the elongate body.
8 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 7 , wherein the elongate body includes edges that form the lateral opening and have cutouts and inward facing stops that are positioned to abut one another.
9 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 8 , wherein the cutouts have a trapezoidal shape.
10 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 8 , wherein the distal end has a partially-closed rounded end.
11 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 10 , wherein an inner surface of the elongate body defining the channel forms a stop adapted to be engaged by a suction device or an endoscope.
12 . The nasopharyngeal airway device of claim 1 , further comprising lubricant within packaging in which the nasopharyngeal airway device is disposed or on the elongate body.