01 An endotracheal tube is inserted into a patient's trachea through the mouth or nose to maintain an open airway. It assists in delivering anesthetic gases or air to and from a patient. The endotracheal tube is then attached to a ventilator, which delivers oxygen to the lungs. The process of inserting the tube is called endotracheal intubation. It provides oxygen and inhaled gases to the lungs and protects them from contamination from substances such as gases or blood. In addition, ETs are commonly made of PVC, although they are manufactured using other materials such as silicone, rubber, and metal.ETs in critical care or operating rooms have standard design features and characteristics. Marks along the tube length indicate the centimeters from the tube tip that help clinicians determine primary insertion depth and monitor the tube movement. The continuous radiopaque marking along the tube size allows the identification of the distal tube tip on chest radiographs, thereby confirming the appropriate depth of the tube. Further, ETs used in intubation are of two types: oral and nasal tubes. Other varieties of ETs, including oral and nasal tubes, esophageal tubes, and laryngeal tubes, have also appeared with increasing advancements.
April 2026 Teleflex Incorporated expanded its airway management portfolio by launching an upgraded range of endotracheal tubes featuring enhanced cuff technology and integrated suction capabilities to reduce ventilator-associated complications.
February 2026 Medtronic plc introduced next-generation Shiley™ endotracheal tubes with improved cuff pressure management and enhanced patient safety features for critical care and surgical applications.
October 2025 ICU Medical, Inc. expanded its respiratory care portfolio by introducing advanced endotracheal tubes with integrated airway management technologies designed for intensive care and emergency medicine.
June 2025 Smiths Medical expanded its airway management product portfolio by launching enhanced endotracheal tube solutions with improved visualization markers and optimized tube design for easier intubation procedures.