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A soft robotic device for rapid and self-guided intubation.

A soft robotic device for rapid and self-guided intubation. Science translational medicine Haggerty, D. A., Cazzoli, J. R., Wayne, M. A., Winckler, C. J., Wampler, D. A., Jarvis, J. L., Han, L., Rydell, L., Mahajan, A., Zevallos, J. P., Drover, D. R., Hawkes, E. W. 2025; 17 (815): eads7681

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation is a critical medical procedure for protecting a patient's airway. Current intubation technology requires extensive anatomical knowledge, training, technical skill, and a clear view of the glottic opening. However, all of these may be limited during emergency care for trauma and cardiac arrest outside the hospital, where first-pass failure is nearly 35%. To address this challenge, we designed a soft robotic device to autonomously guide a breathing tube into the trachea with the goal of allowing rapid, repeatable, and safe intubation without the need for extensive training, skill, anatomical knowledge, or a glottic view. During initial device testing with highly trained users in a mannequin and a cadaver, we found a 100% success rate and an average intubation duration of under 8 s. We then conducted a preliminary study comparing the device with video laryngoscopy, in which prehospital medical providers with 5 min of device training intubated cadavers. When using the device, users achieved an 87% first-pass success rate and a 96% overall success rate, requiring an average of 1.1 attempts and 21 s for successful intubation, significantly (P = 0.008) faster than with video laryngoscopy. When using video laryngoscopy, the users achieved a 63% first-pass success rate and a 92% overall success rate, requiring an average of 1.6 attempts and 44 s for successful intubation. This preliminary study offers directions for future clinical studies, the next step in testing a device that could address the critical needs of emergency airway management and help democratize intubation.

View details for DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.ads7681

View details for PubMedID 40929248