Design considerations for development of cuffed endotracheal tube for small airways

Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are life-supporting devices that are designed to maintain a patent airway in patients who are unable to sustain an airway due to illness or injury. Patients with small airways, such as neonates and pediatrics, have unique structural and functional features, making it essential that ETT design considers and executes on these particular needs. Though uncuffed ETTs have historically been preferred for patients younger than eight years of age, advances in cuffed ETT design and construction can be utilized to manufacture ETTs that are optimized for the smallest, most fragile airways. The purpose of this article is to discuss certain design features of cuffed ETTs in respect to small airways.