Laryngeal Mask Assembly

An artificial airway assembly for ventilating a patient, said artificial airway assembly comprising:

• a flexible airway tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end comprising a pass-through means for allowing a working tool to pass there through and for guiding the working tool to an operating position to view vocal cords and trachea of the patient;
• at least one airway-directing mechanism disposed on one side of and in physical contact with said flexible airway tube;
• and,
• a mask coupled to said distal end of said flexible airway tube;
• wherein said flexible airway tube comprises a dorsal section and a ventral section;
• said flexible airway tube has a drawer-like configuration for detachment of at least a section of said airway tube while maintaining said working tool in said operating position;
• further wherein said activation of said airway-directing mechanism while said artificial airway assembly is in place, is directing at least part of said flexible airway to a predetermined location.

A method of intubating a patient using an artificial airway assembly, said method comprising:

• a. obtaining a flexible airway tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end comprising a pass-through means for allowing a working tool to pass there through and for guiding the working tool to an operating position to view vocal cords and trachea of the patient, said flexible airway tube comprising at least two locally weakened and tearable courses adapted to permit detachment of at least a section of said airway tube while maintaining said working tool in said operating position;
• b. fixedly securing a mask to said distal end of said flexible airway tube;
• c. inserting the artificial airway assembly into the mouth of a patient;
• d. positioning said mask adjacent to the larynx;
• e. moving said working tool through said flexible airway tube at least to the distal end of said artificial airway assembly and said mask;
• f. at least partially tearing said flexible airway tube along said at least two courses. thereby detaching at least two sections of said airway tube while maintaining said working tool in said operating position;
• and
• g. removing said artificial airway assembly from the mouth of said patient.