An artificial airway device comprises an air conduit extending between a
proximal opening and a mask opening. When the device is in an operative
position, the proximal opening remains outside of a patient and the mask
opening is open to a laryngeal opening of the patient. The device further
includes a seating tip extending distally from the distal end of the
airway tube which, when the device is in the operative position, is
located on a pharyngeal side of the patient's cricoid.