Multipurpose airway device

A method for clearing soft tissue from a larynx and a hypopharynx of a patient, comprising:

• inserting an airway device into a throat of the patient, the airway device including:
• an overtube having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a mask section attached to the distal end of the overtube, the mask section including a spine section and an expandable body disposed on a proximal portion of the spine section, the expandable body including:
• an inlet portion disposed adjacent the overtube;
• and
• an inflatable bladder anchored to the spine section a distance from the inlet portion;
• a sheath spanning along the spine section from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• a tunnel section disposed within the sheath and extending from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• inflating the inflatable bladder to form an airtight seal around a laryngeal opening of the patient, wherein the inflatable bladder is adapted to retract soft tissue adjacent the laryngeal opening of the patient to expose vocal cords and a trachea of the patient.

A method for intubating a patient, the method comprising:

• inserting an airway device into a throat of the patient, the airway device including:
• an overtube having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a mask section attached to the distal end of the overtube, the mask section including a spine section and an expandable body disposed on a proximal portion of the spine section, the expandable body including:
• an inlet portion disposed adjacent the overtube;
• and
• an inflatable bladder anchored to the spine section a distance from the inlet portion;
• a sheath spanning along the spine section from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• a tunnel section disposed within the sheath and extending from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• inflating the inflatable bladder to form an airtight seal around a laryngeal opening of the patient, wherein the inflatable bladder is adapted to retract soft tissue adjacent the laryngeal opening of the patient to expose vocal cords and a trachea of the patient;
• advancing an endoscope through the mask section of the airway device and into the trachea of the patient;
• advancing an ETT over the endoscope and into the trachea of the patient;
• retracting the overtube from the throat of the patient until the overtube is fully removed from the throat and mouth of the patient;
• and
• retracting the endoscope from the throat of the patient until the endoscope is fully removed from the throat and the mouth of the patient.

A mask section for an airway device, comprising:

• a spine section and an expandable body disposed on a proximal portion of the spine section, the expandable body including:
• an inlet portion disposed on a proximal end of the spine section and forming a contiguous structure with the spine section;
• an inflatable bladder anchored to the spine section a distance from the inlet portion;
• a sheath spanning along the spine section from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• a tunnel section disposed within the sheath and extending from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• wherein the inflatable bladder is configured for sealing engagement with a laryngeal opening of a patient to create an unobstructed path into the trachea of the patient.

A method for exchanging the endotracheal tube of an intubated patient, the method comprising:

• inserting an airway device, over a preexisting endotracheal tube, into a throat of the patient, the airway device including:
• an overtube having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a mask section disposed on the distal end of the overtube, the mask section including:
• a spine section and an expandable body disposed on a proximal portion of the spine section, the expandable body including:
• an inlet portion disposed on a proximal end of the spine section and forming a contiguous structure with the spine section;
• an inflatable bladder anchored to the spine section a distance from the inlet portion;
• a sheath spanning along the spine section from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• a tunnel section disposed within the sheath and extending from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• inflating the inflatable bladder to form an airtight seal around a laryngeal opening of the patient, wherein the inflatable bladder is adapted to retract soft tissue adjacent the laryngeal opening of the patient to expose vocal cords and a trachea of the patient;
• advancing an endoscope through the mask section of the airway device and into the trachea of the patient;
• removing the preexisting endotracheal tube;
• advancing a new endotracheal tube along the endoscope and into the trachea of the patient;
• retracting the overtube from the throat of the patient until the overtube is fully removed from the throat and mouth of the patient;
• and
• retracting the endoscope from the throat of the patient until the endoscope is fully removed from the throat and mouth of the patient.

A method for examining the larynx and trachea of an intubated patient, the method comprising:

• inserting an airway device into a throat of the patient, the airway device including:
• an overtube having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a mask section disposed on the distal end of the overtube, the mask section including:
• a spine section comprising an esophageal cuff protruding from a distal end of the spine section;
• and
• an expandable body disposed on a proximal portion of the spine section, the expandable body including:
• an inlet portion disposed adjacent the overtube;
• an inflatable bladder anchored to the spine section a distance from the inlet portion;
• a sheath spanning along the spine from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• a tunnel section disposed within the sheath and extending from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• inflating the inflatable bladder to form an airtight seal around a laryngeal opening of the patient, wherein the inflatable bladder is adapted to retract soft tissue adjacent the laryngeal opening of the patient to expose vocal cords and a trachea of the patient;
• inflating the esophageal cuff to secure the device in the patient and prevent gastric reflux;
• advancing an endoscope through the mask section of the airway device and into the trachea of the patient;
• deflating the esophageal cuff;
• retracting a preexisting endotracheal tube proximal to the larynx;
• examining and evaluating the larynx and trachea;
• and
• performing at least one of:
• advancing a new endotracheal tube and removing the preexisting endotracheal tube.

A method for collecting and evacuating oronasal secretion from a patient, comprising:

• inserting an airway device into a throat of the patient, the device including:
• an overtube having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a mask section disposed on the distal end of the overtube, the mask section including:
• a spine section and an expandable body disposed on a proximal portion of the spine section, the expandable body including:
• an inlet portion disposed on a proximal end of the spine section and forming a contiguous structure with the spine section;
• an inflatable bladder anchored to the spine section a distance from the inlet portion;
• a sheath spanning along the spine section from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• a tunnel section disposed within the sheath and extending from the inlet portion to the inflatable bladder;
• and
• a collection apparatus affixed to a posterior surface of each of the mask section and the inflating bladder;
• positioning the airway device adjacent a laryngeal opening of the patient;
• and
• positioning the collection apparatus in the patient's hypopharynx in an open configuration so that oronasal secretion is collected in the collection apparatus.