The invention relates to an artificial airway device (1) to facilitate lung ventilation of a patient comprising an airway tube (2) and a mask (3) canned at one end of the airway tube the mask (3) having a distal end (4) and a proximal end (5) and a peripheral formation (6) capable of conforming to and of fitting within the actual and potential space behind the larynx of the patient so as to form a seal around the circumference of the laryngeal inlet the peripheral formation (6) surrounding a hollow interior space or lurnen (7) of the mask (3) and the airway tube (2) opening into the lumen (7) of the mask the mask having a conduit (8) for receiving in use oesophageal matter an outer in use surface of the peripheral formation (6) defining a channel (10) for use in facilitating drainage of oesophageal matter.
