Oro/nasopharyngeal airway for administering/sampling inhalent/expired gases

摘要

An oro/nasopharyngeal airway comprises an arcuately shaped tubular member adapted for insertion into a patient's pharynx, either through the mouth or nasal passage, to prevent obstruction during the administration of anesthesia. According to a preferred embodiment, an inhalant gas, typically oxygen (O.sub.2), is delivered to the airway via a gas line connected to the proximal end of the tubular member, while expired carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is sampled in the patient's pharynx via a second gas line connected to the tubular member in the vicinity of its distal end. Preferably, the respective inhalant and expired gas lines are positioned within the interior of the tubular member and are integral parts thereof Alternatively, the airway defines two discrete and parallel lumens or conduits, one being adapted to be connected to an inhalant gas supply, and the other being adapted to be connected to a gas level- sensing device.