TaperGuard^™
cuff technology

Featured on Shiley™ endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes
Designed to maximize comfort and safety for patients

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Airway protection with the right fit

Tapered shape, less material

Put patient protection at the forefront with our innovative TaperGuard™ cuff technology. Produced with less bulky material¹ and a unique taper shape, the TaperGuard™ cuff delivers a smoother fit with fewer contact points^2,3 to reduce wrinkles¹ — helping you protect patient airways more effectively.

Airway support with less pressure, more comfort

Reduced wall pressure

Optimizing patient comfort is the foundation of the TaperGuard™ cuff design. It puts less pressure on the walls of the trachea and delivers a higher level of patient comfort and protection compared to barrel shaped cuffs.^1–3

1. Barrel-shaped cuff
2. TaperGuard™ cuff

90%

reduction in microaspirations^†,4

29%

less pressure exerted on the trachea^†,2

Explore the benefits for patients

Seal the path to a smooth recovery.

Improved sealing performance

Improve sealing⁵ and decrease microaspirations⁶ to give your patients a more restorative road to recovery. The tapered design of our TaperGuard™ cuff technology reduces fluid leakage,^5,7 decreases insertion force¹and tracheal contact pressure,² and provides you with confidence in your airway management solutions.

Experience the next evolution in
airway protection.

Explore our family of TaperGuard™ products.

Shiley™ flexible adult tracheostomy tubes with disposable or reusable inner cannula

Shiley™ evac endotracheal tube with TaperGuard™ cuff, with optional preloaded stylet

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Shiley™ flexible evac tracheostomy tubes with TaperGuard™ cuff technology

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Shiley™ endotracheal tube with TaperGuard™ cuff, murphy eye with optional preloaded stylet

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Shiley™ oral and nasal RAE endotracheal tubes with TaperGuard™ cuff

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Shiley™ neonatal and pediatric tracheostomy tubes

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For trained personnel only. For specific indications and instructions for use, please refer to the indications for use.

† Compared to Shiley™ Hi-Lo endotracheal tube. Testing conducted on Shiley™ TaperGuard™ and Shiley™ TaperGuard™ evac endotracheal tubes.

Maguire S, Haury F, Jew K. An in vitro comparison of tracheostomy tube cuffs. Med Devices (Auckl). 2015;8:185–192.
Lichtenthal PR, Wood L, Wong A, Borg U. Pressure applied to tracheal wall by barrel and taper shaped cuffs. Paper presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists; October 15–19, 2011; Tucson, AZ. Abstract A1054.
Li Bassi G, Ranzani OT, Marti JD, Giunta V, Luque N, Isetta V, et al. An in vitro study to assess determinant features associated with fluid sealing in the design of endotracheal tube cuffs and exerted tracheal pressures. Crit Care Med. 2013;41(2):518–26.
Based on internal test report 10033000, TaperGuard™ Seal Performance Summary Report, Feb 2009.
D’Haese J, De Keukeleire T, Remory I, Van Rompaey K, Umbrain V, Poelaert J. Assessment of intraoperative microaspiration: does a modified cuff shape improve sealing? Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2013;57(7):873–80.
Shiotsuka J, Lefor AT, Sanui M, Nagata O, Horiguchi A, Sasabuchi Y. A quantitative evaluation of fluid leakage around a polyvinyl chloride tapered endotracheal tube cuff using an in vitro model. HSR Proc Intensive Care Cardiovasc Anesth. 2012;4(3):169–175.
Gaszyńska E, Ratajczyk P, Wieczorek A, Szewczyk T, Gaszyński T. Comparison of microaspiration around TaperGuard tube cuffs and standard tracheal tubes in obese patients subjected to surgery under general anesthesia. Pol Przegl Chir. 2014;86(3):107–110.

TaperGuard™ cuff technology