Critical Airway Innovations

The Mission

Airway management devices that improve outcomes, reduce complications, and lower costs. 

The Aspire Subglottic Endotracheal Tube

Airway Management doesn’t end once an artificial airway is placed, as breathing tubes can act as a path for infectious agents to enter the lower airways. This is why the leading risk factor for pneumonia (post-operative, ventilator-associated, and aspiration pneumonia) is the presence of a breathing tube.

Subglottic drainage of the human airway is recommended by the CDC, AHRQ, ATS, SHEA, APIC, IDSA, AACN, and many other scientific associations because numerous meta-analysis and randomized control trials show it reduces time on mechanical ventilation, pneumonia incidence, antibiotic needs, and mortality in long-term ventilated patients.  

The NEVAP Aspire Subglottic Suction Endotracheal Tube (ASSET) is the only subglottic breathing tube designed with a tissue spacer and multiple ports to prevent tissue blockage. This design results in significantly better airway drainage and  and the ability to apply this infection prevention strategy in the ICU, OR, and ED. 

Here is a simply visual demonstration. 10ml of thick fluid, mimicking tracheal secretions was added into an acrylic tube and 100mm Hg suctioning was applied.  The NEVAP ASSET (Right) and a single port subglottic breathing tube were compared. Cuff pressure was continuously monitored and maintained at 25mm H2O.

Are your trauma patients at particular risk of pneumonia? Listen to a leading trauma expert and his insights