Laryngeal mask airway with positioning and temperature sensors

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an improved LMA with a positioning sensor and a temperature sensor at the posterior dome of the mask of the LMA. The positioning sensor provides positioning measurements for the clinician to determine that the LMA is correctly positioned with the posterior dome in contact with the hypopharyngeal wall. With this correct positioning of the LMA, a temperature sensor—either on the same chip as the positioning sensor or nearby the positioning sensor—has a stable mucosal contact with the hypopharyngeal wall to measure the patient's core temperature. Therefore, the improved LMA provide at least the twin benefits: ensuring that the LMA is correctly positioned and ensuring that the measured core temperature is valid.

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