A new endotracheal tube design to prevent lung infections in ventilated patients.

RelianceET: a novel endotracheal tube design with a superior sealing mechanism to improve clinical efficiency and reduce lung injury and infection for patients.

NIH-funded research Respair, INC. · NIH-10915902

This study is looking at a new type of breathing tube called RelianceET that could help keep patients safe from infections while on a ventilator by preventing silent aspiration, and it's designed to be more comfortable and effective than the usual tubes.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRespair, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10915902 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel endotracheal tube (ETT) design called RelianceET, which aims to improve patient safety by preventing silent aspiration, a major cause of ventilator-associated infections. The new design replaces traditional inflatable balloons with ultra-soft baffles that create a more effective seal in the airway. By conducting interviews with healthcare professionals and validating safety protocols with the FDA, the research seeks to ensure that this innovative approach is both safe and effective for patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who require mechanical ventilation in a critical care setting.

Not a fit: Patients who do not require mechanical ventilation or those with contraindications for endotracheal intubation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of lung infections in patients on ventilators, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in improving endotracheal tube designs, but the specific baffle mechanism used in RelianceET is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.