SureTube: A Semi-Autonomous Approach to Blind Endotracheal Intubation

Current approaches to airway management in combat scenarios are limited. Surgical airways, the default procedure in many instances, are often unsuccessful and have high complication rates. Endotracheal intubation, the preferred approach to airway management, is often not possible because of environmental limitations, inadequate user skill or experience level, or patient limitations (e.g., airway trauma). Building on experience with device development for the combat medic, InnoVital has begun development of a semi-autonomous system that enables blind intubation – improving the success and ease of airway management in military and civilian pre-hospital settings. The “SureTube” system will be iteratively refined, prototyped, and tested to demonstrate safety and effectiveness in the Phase II effort. The envisioned solution will be familiar to medics in that the appearance and functioning of system components will be similar to commonly used airway tools. In addition to InnoVital Systems’ specific experience with the development of procedural aids for pre-hospital and acute care providers, existing relationships with relevant industry partners puts InnoVital in the best position for delivering a useful product.