Nasopharyngeal airway with inflatable cuff

An operably positioned nasopharyngeal airway comprising:

• a) a human patient having a nasal passageway in which said airway is positioned, said airway further comprising:
• b) a tube having spaced apart distal and proximal ends and a wall, said wall having sufficient rigidity to prevent the collapse of ducts and lumens formed in the tube wall, said tube having an open central passageway from end to end;
• c) a flange integrally formed with the tube, said flange being positioned at one end of the tube which is the proximal end thereof to prevent further insertion of the tube into the nasal passageway of the patient;
• d) an inflatable cuff disposed around the outer surface of the tube and being located adjacent the distal end of said tube, said cuff being adapted to engage the patient's nasopharynx, the distance between said flange and said cuff being pre-selected to approximate the distance from the nares to the posterior nasopharynx of the patient;
• e) a tube extension coaxial with and integrally formed with said tube, said extension being integral with said flange at one end and terminating in a rim at its other end, said extension having an air and an oxygen port formed therein;
• f) means providing for inflation of said cuff, said means comprising a duct extending from said cuff to said air port, a connection for a syringe and one way valve, and a supply line connecting said syringe and said port;
• and,
• g) oxygen supply means comprising an orifice in the tip of said tube adjacent said cuff, a lumen extending from said opening to said oxygen port, said port being connectable to a supply of oxygen, whereby said improved airway is inserted in the nasopharyngeal passage of the patient up to said flange, the cuff upon inflation will contact the nasal passage walls of the patient providing a secure passageway so that oxygen may be introduced through said lumen and secretions may be withdrawn through the open tube passageway.

An improved method of providing continuous oxygenation and an open airway while allowing removal of secretions from a patient in a conscious or unconscious state comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a nasopharyngeal airway having distal and proximal ends and having an inflatable nasopharynx locking cuff adjacent the distal end thereof and a nares contacting flange adjacent the proximal end, said airway having an air duct coextensive therewith;
• b) providing an oxygen supply lumen connected to an opening at the locking cuff end of said airway, said lumen being coaxial with said airway to deliver oxygen at said opening;
• c) inserting said airway into a patient's nasal passageway to a position where said cuff is located in the posterior portion of the patient's nasopharynx is positioned adjacent the nares of the patient;
• and,
• d) inflating said cuff to contact the walls of said nasopharynx to securely lock said airway so that subsequent patient movement, oxygenation, or removal of secretions through said airway can occur and not dislodge the position of said airway.