In the NICU, unplanned extubations (UEs) are the most common adverse event during mechanical ventilation.([FOOTNOTE=Hatch LD 3rd, Scott TA, Slaughter JC, et al. Outcomes, Resource Use, and Financial Costs of Unplanned Extubations in Preterm Infants. Pediatrics. 2020;145(6):e20192819. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2819.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=]) UEs pose a significant patient safety concern ― interrupting the ventilation of a neonate can lead to respiratory deterioration, hypoxia, and can start a cascade of physiological stress, which can be potentially life-threatening. Additionally, reintubation after a UE can result in pharynx or tracheal trauma.^1,([FOOTNOTE=Meyers JM, Pinheiro J, Nelson MU. Unplanned extubation in NICU patients: are we speaking the same language? J Perinatol. 2015;35(9):676-677. doi:10.1038/jp.2015.55],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=])

UEs can also lead to increased hospital costs and increased length of stay.([FOOTNOTE=Galiote JP, Ridoré M, Carman J, et al. Reduction in unintended extubations in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Pediatrics. May 2019;143(5):e20180897],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=]) As of today, there are only recommendations of standardizations and mitigation interventions for reducing UEs.([FOOTNOTE=Cong X, Wu J, Vittner D, Xu W, et al. The impact of cumulative pain/stress on neurobehavioral development of preterm infants in the NICU. Early Hum Dev. May 2017;108:9–16.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=]) Yet, some of the guidelines in these recommendations can lead to additional stress to the intubated baby and can impact neonatal well-being, including:([FOOTNOTE=Nacheli GC, Sharma M, Wang X, Gupta A, Guzman JA, Tonelli AR. Novel device (AirWave) to assess endotracheal tube migration: a pilot study. J Crit Care. 2013;28(4):535.e1-535.e5358. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2012.10.015],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=])

• ETT repositioning
• Re-taping or tape removal
• Suctioning of ETT
• Reintubation
• Administering CPAP

A less disruptive solution that provides actionable airway management information

The SonarMed™ airway monitoring system may help improve a clinician’s ability to manage a patient’s airway ― offering peace of mind to caregivers ― by providing precise^,5,([FOOTNOTE=Withers, L, Finch, C, Jackson, J, Measuring ETT carina distance using the airwave device in patients identified as a difficult airway, 862, Critical Care Medicine: December 2014, vol 42, Issue 12 - p A1568 doi: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000458359.97855.92],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=])^,([FOOTNOTE=Don C, Faulkner G. Bench study of the SonarMed airwave to detect fixed airway obstructions at varying locations within an endotracheal tube. Respiratory Care - AARC 2012. 2012;57(10):1714.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=]) continuous, real-time monitoring of the ETT position and patency.*

Help reduce unplanned extubations. Optimize suctioning. Monitor ETT movement.

Throughout the duration of an intubation, the SonarMed™ system:

• Measures the location of the ETT tip within the trachea, and may assist in detection of any movement, to help reduce unplanned extubations
• Assists in identifying the location of any obstructions within the ETT, and the percentage obstructed, for optimal suctioning and removal
• Measures the circumference of the patient’s trachea at the tip of the ETT to observe any movement toward a smaller or larger passageway