A new endotracheal tube design to prevent lung infections in ventilated patients.
Official title: RelianceET: a novel endotracheal tube design with a superior sealing mechanism to improve clinical efficiency and reduce lung injury and infection for patients.
Funded at Respair, INC. · NIH-10915902 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Respair, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $299,101 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HL172367-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10915902 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who require mechanical ventilation in a critical care setting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require mechanical ventilation or those with contraindications for endotracheal intubation may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Respair, INC.
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beresford, Ross — Respair, INC.
- Study coordinator: Beresford, Ross
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.