Laryngeal mask airway intubation guide and method

A method for use in an endotracheal intubation procedure, the method including:

• a) inserting a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) intubation guide into a mouth of a subject, the LMA intubation guide including:
• i) an elongate body defining a passageway extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening, the passageway being configured for receiving a blade portion of an intubation device, the proximal opening being positioned proximate to a mouth of the subject;
• ii) a laryngeal mask positioned at the distal opening and being positioned proximate to a larynx of the subject;
• and
• iii) a ventilation airway extending at least partially along the body, the ventilation airway including:
• (1) a ventilation port at a proximal end of the ventilation airway for connection to a ventilator;
• and
• (2) a ventilation aperture at a distal end of the ventilation airway for allowing fluid communication between the ventilation airway and the passageway proximate to the laryngeal mask;
• b) covering the larynx of the subject with the laryngeal mask;
• c) connecting a ventilator to the ventilation port and ventilating the subject using the ventilation airway;
• and
• d) while ventilation of the subject continues:
• i) inserting the blade portion of the intubation device into the passageway of the LMA intubation guide;
• ii) positioning a distal end of the blade portion of the intubation device proximate to the larynx of the subject;
• and
• iii) advancing an endotracheal tube along the blade portion of the intubation device through the passageway into a trachea of the subject;
• wherein the LMA intubation guide includes a seal covering the proximal opening, the seal normally being in a closed position for sealing the proximal opening and being moveable to an open position when the blade portion of the intubation device is inserted through the passageway,
• wherein the seal includes at least one resilient membrane configured to deform in response to the blade portion being urged against the seal, to thereby define an opening for receiving the blade portion,
• wherein the at least one resilient membrane is supported around a perimeter of the proximal opening, the at least one resilient membrane including an aperture that is substantially closed in the closed position and that stretches to define the opening in the open position;
• wherein the at least one resilient membrane comprises:
• two or more resilient membranes that are supported around the perimeter of the proximal opening, the respective aperture of each one of the resilient membranes differing from the apertures of other ones of the resilient membranes in at least one of:
• shape;
• location;
• and orientation;
• or
• the at least one resilient membrane comprises two or more resilient membranes that are each supported around a respective part of a perimeter of the proximal opening and that each include a respective unsupported edge, the unsupported edges at least partially overlapping in the closed position and separating to define the opening in the open position.