A laryngeal mask for use in a patient includes an airway tube having an inner lumen and a distal end; and a mask portion connected at a proximal end thereof to the distal end of the airway tube and having a distal tip opposite the proximal end. The mask portion includes an inflatable cuff including an anterior cuff surface configured to contact the patient's tissue when the inflatable cuff is inflated; and a wedge portion including a stabilization surface and two walls connected to the inflatable cuff and extending therefrom toward the stabilization surface, the stabilization surface extending from the distal tip of the mask portion toward the distal end of the airway tube at a wedge angle of between about 12 and 30 degrees, the wedge angle formed between the stabilization surface and the anterior cuff surface when the inflatable mask is inflated, whereby the stabilization surface is transversely and longitudinally substantially flat to stabilize the laryngeal mask in use. The laryngeal mask has a gastric tube with a varying inner tube diameter.

A pulmonary secretion clearing airway structure and related airway management system is disclosed that has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patient through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. The airway structure can be a ventilation catheter or a supraglottic airway system such as laryngeal mask and the like.

A pulmonary secretion clearing airway structure and related airway management system is disclosed that has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patient through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. The airway structure can be a ventilation catheter or a supraglottic airway system such as laryngeal mask and the like.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

An inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. Configurations of these cuffs that include tapered regions with certain characteristics, such as cuff wall diameter and thickness, may provide improved sealing of the trachea.

An intubation assembly rod is configured to have an endotracheal tube carried thereon and includes an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the intubation assembly rod body is tapered, rounded, or spherical, and defines a leading end of the intubation assembly rod. The intubation assembly rod includes a longitudinally extending channel configured such that an elongated member of a device to which the intubation assembly rod may be attached may be inserted into the channel.

Systems and devices for monitoring, detecting, and removing fluid build-up found at various regions along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient. The fluid management system includes pressure and flow sensors for detecting whether there is fluid at the various regions along the tracheal tube, and a means for drawing out the fluid into collection jars. The system also includes lavage features that is able to rinse different the various regions along a tracheal tube. Also disclosed are respiration insertion devices that either couple to existing tracheal tubes or incorporate tracheal tubing, where the respiration insertion body has channels and ports that contact various regions along the tracheal tube. The combination of the fluid management system and the respiration insertion devices effectively monitor and remove fluid at various locations along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient.

An airway device for human or animal use comprising an airway tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of which is surrounded by a laryngeal cuff, adapted to fit anatomically over the laryngeal structure of a patient, wherein the device optionally further comprises a buccal cavity stabilizer located on or around the airway tube between the laryngeal cuff and the proximal end of the tube, said buccal cavity stabilizer being adapted to nest with the anterior aspect of the patient's tongue, the size, shape and configuration of the buccal stabilizer being adapted to prevent rotational or side-to-side movement of the airway device in use.

Intubation devices and methods of intubating a patient are provided. The intubation devices include a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) component having a mask portion and a tube portion and an endotracheal tube (ETT) component positioned in the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) component having a translatable and/or rotatable endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube can be translated and/or rotated by a manipulation rod extending through the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) component and mounted to the endotracheal tube (ETT). The intubation devices may include inflatable cuffs adapted to manipulate the positioning or orientation of the endotracheal tube and/or to seal openings about the endotracheal tubes. Various ports, passages, and conduits are provided to enhance the use and manipulation of the intubation device.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.