UC Santa Barbara is creating a soft robotic device for intubation
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When someone stops breathing, the clock starts ticking. First responders often need to get air into the lungs quickly, and one of the most reliable methods is to insert a tube into the windpipe. This process, called intubation, keeps the airway open so oxygen can flow again.
And here’s the problem: intubation is very difficult. Even trained doctors can struggle, and every extra second puts the patient at greater risk. Now, researchers at UC Santa Barbara have designed a soft robotic device that could change how first responders handle these emergencies. It helps guide the breathing tube into place quickly and safely and with much less training than traditional methods.
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Why is it difficult to place breathing tubes?
Our bodies are built to keep food and foreign objects out of the lungs. A small flap called the epiglottis blocks the windpipe during swallowing, and the path leading to the windpipe is narrow and curved. To overcome these obstacles, current tools are rigorous. Doctors must lift the epiglottis with a metal scope and carefully guide the tube forward. If it slides into the esophagus instead, the oxygen goes to the stomach instead of the lungs. “Traditional instruments have to be rigid to be able to push, and they only move by applying pressure to sensitive tissue,” explained Elliot Hawkes, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California, San Francisco.
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Even trained doctors can have difficulty with intubation. (Global Images Group/Getty Images)
How does a soft robot work?
The new system, called the Soft Robotic Intubation System (SRIS), takes a gentler approach. First, there is a curved guide at the back of the throat. A soft inflatable tube is then slowly opened from the inside out as it advances. Instead of being forced in, it naturally follows the correct path to the windpipe. This reduces friction, reduces the risk of injury and automatically adapts to different body shapes. “This growing model naturally accounts for subtle differences in anatomy.” Graduate,” said lead author David Haggerty, who recently received his Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco.
What the tests show
The results are eye-opening:
- Experts The success rate was 100%.
- Paramedics and EMTs The success rate reached 96% within just five minutes of training.
- Non-experts The tube was placed in an average of 21 seconds, less than half the time required with advanced video laryngoscopes.
Why can this device save more lives?
Millions of emergency intubations are performed in the United States each year. A lot of it happens in chaotic, low-light, or stressful situations where existing tools don’t always work. A device that makes the process easier can be a lifesaver for:
- Paramedics at the scene
- Military medics in combat zones
- Doctors in hospitals with limited equipment
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In trials, both experts and non-experts achieved faster and more successful intubations using the new airway management system – enhancing emergency response efficiency. (Kurt Knutson)
The UCSB team is now preparing for clinical trials and FDA approval.
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What does this mean for you?
If this device fulfills its early promise, it could mean more patients will survive emergency situations where breathing stops. For families, this means a greater chance that first responders will be able to keep their loved ones alive until they reach the hospital. For doctors, it provides a safer and faster tool when seconds really matter.
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Key takeaways for Kurt
Breathing is life, but securing an airway is one of the most difficult tasks in emergency care. This soft automated system may help turn a high-risk procedure into something safer and more predictable. While there is still more testing to come, early data shows how robots can make a life-saving difference for patients everywhere.
Medical staff participate in hands-on training to practice emergency response and resuscitation techniques using a realistic simulation mannequin. (Global Images Group/Getty Images)
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