Anesthesia mask for animals

Abstract

An anesthesia mask for use with animals that comprises a body and a seal member. The body of the anesthesia mask is shaped to define a cavity therein that substantially conforms to the facial anatomy of an animal such as a dog. The body has a first end configured to interface with a breathing circuit and a second end that is open. The breathing circuit interface is located on the first end of the body so as to be substantially proximate to the nose of the animal when the nose portion is received in the cavity. The anesthesia mask includes a flexible and elastic seal member that is disposed across the second end of the body. In one embodiment, seal member is releasably engaged with the anesthesia mask. The seal member has an aperture formed therein through which a portion of the head of the animal is disposed so as to be removably received in the cavity. The seal member, because of its flexibility and elasticity, tends to resist deformation and thus substantially conforms to the anatomy of the animal when the anatomy is received in the cavity through the aperture formed in the seal member. The resilient seal member also facilitates ready placement of the anesthesia mask on the animal. In one embodiment, the anesthesia mask includes a self-sealing port through which instrumentation cables and the like may be passed into the cavity. The anesthesia mask also includes an optional external clip which can be used to capture and retain instrumentation cables exiting from the cavity.