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 lumen (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.
