Baska Mask

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About the mask

Salient Features

The Baska Mask is not simply a "me too" copy of previous generations of masks. It has been engineered to address the shortcomings of existing supraglottic airways, including the new improved versions of the original series of Laryngeal Masks.

Some of the salient features and improvements of the Baska Mask are:

1. No inflatable cuff required to maintain a seal

Other laryngeal masks which depend upon an inflated cuff to maintain a seal, pose potential hazards:-

Firstly, the cuff must be deflated during insertion
Secondly, the airway is not secured until the cuff is inflated
Thirdly, the cuff is often sub-optimally inflated. Under or over-inflation may result in an airway leak. Over-inflation may cause pressure trauma to adjacent tissues
Fourthly, the cuff can leak

The cuff of the Baska Mask does not rely on inflation to keep its shape or maintain a seal during use.

2. Positive pressure ventilation

IPPV with previous generation laryngeal masks can be compromised by an airway leak which tends to increase as airway pressure rises. With the Baska Mask the soft diaphragm cuff distends during the inspiratory phase of positive pressure ventilation, increasing the effectiveness of the seal. This allows higher airway pressures to be achieved without airway leakage and with minimal risk of gastric inflation.

3. Prevents aspiration

The Baska Mask minimises the possibility of aspiration of regurgitated gastric contents by providing a sump reservoir combined with large channels on both sides of the airway, one of which is attached to continuous suction and the other is left open as a vent. This allows for continuous high flow, high pressure, vented suction to rapidly remove any fluids, secretions, gas or air that may accumulate. In this way, the risk of soiling of the airway is greatly reduced.

4. Ease of insertion

The overall design, shape and flexibility of the various portions of the device, provide for ease of insertion without the need for finger guidance. It can be inserted with the patient's head in the neutral position - i.e. without the need for flexion or extension of the neck. This feature is enhanced by the provision of a tab which can be used to pull forwards the tip and head of the device to conform to the curvature of the airway during insertion.

5. Easy securing of position

The Baska Mask has a set of securing rings on the front and back. These allow for cotton tape to be threaded through to secure the device in position.