because microaspiration of contaminated supraglottic secretions past the endotracheal tube cuff is considered to be central in the pathogenesis of pneumonia, improved design of tracheal tubes with new cuff material and shape have reduced the size and number of folds, which together with the addition of suction ports above the cuff to drain pooled subglottic secretions leads to reduced aspiratio...

The SARS-CoV2 virus has spread world wide rapidly. Although a small fraction of the infected people need special care, this number is much greater than what healthcare systems support. In most severe cases, mechanical ventilation crucial for patient recovery, but not available in needed quantity. Brazil, ventilators are mainly imported and at high cost, increased by pandemic economic crisis, wi...