Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ventubation System?
The Ventubation System is a revolutionary airway management system made up of two patented tools, the SupraVent and the IntroGard, that allow for non-stop oxygenation and ventilation while intubating, nearly eliminating the apneic interval seen in conventional intubation.
How does the Ventubation System support ventilation during intubation?
The SupraVent has independent channels, one for ventilation and one for the endotracheal (ET) tube. Because they are separate, oxygenation and ventilation continue through one channel while the tube is advanced through the other.
Does the Ventubation System reduce apneic times?
Yes. A manikin study demonstrated the Ventubation System reduced mean apnea time by 67% and time to cuff inflation by 27% compared with standard direct laryngoscopy.
Does the SupraVent maintain sufficient seal pressures?
The SupraVent compared favorably to a leading supraglottic airway (SGA) in a cadaver study1. The SupraVent achieved airway leak pressures of 20–26 cmH2O across all specimens, matching performance of the cuffed Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA), within 1–3 cmH2O, and falling within range of the published clinical range of the non-inflatable cuff SGA.
How does the SupraVent compare to non-inflatable cuff SGA?
The SupraVent is not a traditional SGA. Its three channel design makes it unique, allowing for simultaneous ventilation, intubation and gastric suction. The SupraVent is uniquely designed to easily guide the ET Ttube anteriorly into the trachea and facilitate first pass success. Cadaver lab results showed that leak pressures during ventilation with the SupraVent are similar to those seen with a non-inflatable cuff SGA2.
How does the SupraVent replace the laryngoscope blade?
The SupraVent is designed for continuous ventilation and intubation through separate channels, for continuous airway control and atraumatic tube delivery. The ET tube is guided into the trachea through a unique intubation conduit in the SupraVent.
Is there a risk of retrograde airflow with the SupraVent?
The SupraVent has a proprietary one-way valve that is designed to prevent retrograde airflow.
How does the Ventubation System’s tactile ET Tube placement check work?
Once the ET tube is in place and the balloon inflated, you will notice significantly increased resistance when attempting to bag through the ventilation port. This increased resistance is a tactile check, or “clinical confirmation,” of correct endotracheal tube placement. We recommend other placement confirmation per your protocols.
Can Ventubation be performed by a single rescuer?
Yes. The Ventubation System is designed for a single provider to establish and maintain the airway from start to finish.
Can Ventubation be performed by a BLS provider?
A BLS provider can place the SupraVent. EMS protocols typically require an ALS provider to perform the intubation.
Can the SupraVent be left in after intubation or should it be removed?
The SupraVent can be left in place for a period of time per standard of care for laryngeal masks in general or removed following successful intubation. If left in place by EMS, it is important to inform receiving EDs about removal of the SGA without tube removal.
Does the IntroGard come pre-loaded with an ET tube?
No. Use your preferred standard ET tube with the IntroGard.
How do I load the IntroGard into the ET tube?
The IntroGard couples and locks to a standard endotracheal tube creating a single unit. Insert the IntroGard into the ET tube, aligning the Murphy plug of the IntroGard with the Murphy eye of the ET tube and ensuring the obturating bumper guard sits flush with the ET tube tip for smooth delivery. Then lock the IntroGard’s coupling cap onto the top of the ET tube.
Does the IntroGard help improve first pass success?
The IntroGard has a unique S curve tip designed to aid better first pass success by guiding the ET tube antertiorly to the chords and then deflecting it posteriorly into the trachea. In addition, the obturating bumper guard is intended to prevent hang-ups on tissue during delivery that may impede first pass success.
How does the IntroGard help avoid endotracheal tube hang ups on tissue during intubation?
The obturating bumper on the IntroGard sits flush with the ET tube tip and is intended to prevent hang-ups on tissue during delivery that may impede first pass success.
How can I tell if the IntroGard is properly oriented for ET tube insertion?
To ensure proper orientation of the IntroGard and ET tube, the directional guide on the proximal end of the IntroGard should be aligned with the intended direction of ET tube insertion.
How does the IntroGard help to reduce the risk of trauma?
The IntroGard is made with a flexible material and a smooth rounded tip designed to ensure minimal trauma during ET tube insertion. In addition, the unique S curve tip is intended to direct the ET tube anteriorly to the vocal cords and deflect posteriorly into the trachea with fewer attempts that may cause trauma.
What data is available to support use of the Ventubation System?
While there is no data on human use to date, cadaver and manikin studies on its use are available on the website.
What training is required for the Ventubation System?
The Ventubation System is designed for easy training. The SupraVent is inserted similarly to other SGAs and the IntroGard is designed with markings for easy coupling to the standard ET tube. A manikin study with EMS personnel demonstrated that 15 minutes of training and 20 minutes of practice was adequate for effective use.
How do I confirm the tube is in the trachea?
The system provides a tactile clinical check. Once the ET tube is in place and the balloon inflated, you will notice significantly increased resistance when bagging through the ventilation port. That increased resistance is your immediate indication of correct ET tube placement. Confirm ET tube placement per standard of care protocol.
Should I remove the IntroGard before I use the tactile check?
No. Check to make sure the ET tube is properly placed first. If it is not placed, you can simply remove the IntroGard and ET tube unit and re-attempt the intubation.
How is the SupraVent removed without disturbing it or the ET tube?
The SupraVent features a central removal seam. Hold the ventilation port handle, push the ET tube forward thru the seam toward the lower jaw to open the seam, and pull the SupraVent upward to remove the device, without interruption of your airway circuit.
Can the IntroGard be used on its own?
Yes. The IntroGard can be used as a standalone introducer or as part of the full Ventubation System.
Where can the system be used?
It is designed for prehospital EMS use and for hospital settings including the emergency department, ICU, and operating room.
How is the IntroGard different from a bougie or introducer?
The IntroGard is designed to facilitate smooth delivery into the trachea. Unlike bougies and stylets, it couples securely to the ET Tube and obliterates the gap between the introducer and ET tip for fewer tissue hang-ups and smoother delivery. Bougies and stylets guide the ET tube to the chords but can be difficult to steer into the trachea. The IntroGard’s unique anatomic S curve design guides the ET Tube anteriorly to the cords but deflects posteriorly into the trachea.
Will I need a laryngoscope blade during Ventubation?
No. The SupraVent replaces the need for rigid blade retraction and serves as the intubation conduit.
Can I monitor CO2 during Ventubation?
Yes. Monitor CO2 per your protocols.
Can I pre-oxygenate the patient before intubation with the Ventubation system?
Ventubation inherently supports uninterrupted pre-oxygenation of the patient.
Is the SupraVent compatible with a flexible bronchoscope or introducer?
Yes. The intubation conduit can be used for introducers or bronchoscopes when the IntroGard is being used.
Can we use CO2 monitoring to confirm ET placement with the Ventubation System?
While the Ventubation system incorporates a tactile ET tube placement check, we recommend using additional placement checks, including ETCO2, to confirm placement per your standard of care protocols.
Can I use the IntroGard in a standard ET?
The IntroGard fits any standard ET tube sized 7-8.
Can the SupraVent be used without an IntroGard?
Yes. The SupraVent can be used as a simple SGA. It can also accommodate a bougie, introducer or simple ET tube for intubation.
Do you have different sizes of IntroGards for different ET tubes?
No. The IntroGard accommodates any standard ET tube size 7-8.
How does Ventubation maintain control of the airway?
The Ventubation System is designed to allow complete control of the airway as a standard laryngeal mask and enable continuous ventilation during intubation.
What happens if you don’t successfully intubate the patient?
If an intubation attempt with the Ventubation System is unsuccessful, we recommend leaving the SupraVent in place and continuing to ventilate.
1 Whitepaper: The Ventubation System for Continuous Airway Control: Results of A Pilot Usability Study. Ventubation Systems. 2026.
2 Whitepaper: Proof-of-Concept Leak Pressure Validation of the SupraVent Dual-Lumen Supraglottic Intubating and Ventilating Device. Ventubation Systems. 2026.