Transforming Airway Management - With Dr. Benjamin Fedeles

Dr. Benjamin Fedeles is an Assistant Professor and USAF Major, board-certified in Anesthesiology and Critical Care. With extensive experience in both civilian and military medical settings, he specializes in rapid airway management in high-pressure environments.

About

Dr. Benjamin Fedeles is an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a Major in the United States Air Force Medical Corps. With board certifications in Anesthesiology and Critical Care from the American Board of Anesthesiology, Dr. Fedeles plays a dual role—serving as both a practicing physician and an instructor at the USAF’s Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) Advanced Course.

His experience spans across civilian hospitals, trauma bays, pre-hospital settings, and military deployments, where rapid, efficient airway management is critical to patient survival in high-stakes situations. Dr. Fedeles has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of intubating in remote, resource-limited environments.

With FDA clearance, IntuBlade is positioned as a next-generation video laryngoscope that addresses the key challenges Dr. Fedeles faces in both civilian and military medical settings.

Challenges

Effective Airway Management in High-Pressure, Resource-Limited Settings

In military and civilian medicine alike, managing difficult airways under pressure is a core challenge for clinicians. The stakes are even higher in military operations, where pre-hospital providers like pararescue jumpers (PJs) often perform life-saving intubations in hostile, remote environments with limited equipment.

Military medics rely on tools that are easy to transport, reliable, and intuitive, ensuring they can provide critical care with minimal setup time and maximum efficiency.

“Down range, you’re often working with limited resources and under extreme pressure. Medical providers need tools that don’t require complex setup or extra training—they need something that works right out of the box,” says Dr. Fedeles.

Many video laryngoscopes on the market have steep learning curves or require specialized equipment that may not be available in the field. In both civilian and military environments, blood, fluids, and other airway debris can compromise visibility, making intubation more difficult and delaying life-saving care. Maintaining clarity and having reliable, compact equipment is essential when lives are on the line.

Solution

1. IntuBlade’s Key Features for Military and Civilian Use

   Dr. Fedeles views IntuBlade as a critical advancement in airway management, particularly for military medical providers and clinicians working in environments where time and simplicity are crucial.

   
   

2. USB-C Connectivity and App Integration

   A key differentiator of IntuBlade is its USB-C connectivity, allowing it to connect directly to commonly used devices like tablets or smartphones. This is particularly valuable in military and pre-hospital settings, where carrying extra equipment isn’t feasible. The accompanying free app allows for video recording, enabling real-time feedback, post-procedure review, and documentation, which is critical for both training and clinical care.

   “In the military, simplicity is key. IntuBlade plugs into devices we already have, making it easier for pre-hospital providers to use without needing extra screens or equipment. Plus, the ability to record intubations through the app is paramount for training,” says Dr. Fedeles.

   The app’s recording feature also ensures compliance with clinical protocols and provides a tool for immediate after-action reviews in the field.

   
   

3. Built-In Lens-Clearing Spray for Continuous Visualization

   One of the biggest challenges during field intubations is maintaining a clear view in difficult conditions, especially in the presence of fluids or debris. IntuBlade’s built-in lens-clearing spray ensures a continuous view of the airway, reducing the risk of delayed or failed intubations.

   “You can’t afford to lose your view of the airway in the middle of an intubation, especially when seconds count. The lens-clearing spray keeps your field of vision clear, and that’s critical, whether you’re in a hospital or out in the field,” explains Dr. Fedeles.

   
   

4. No Battery Required: Reliable Power from USB-C

   For pre-hospital providers, equipment that relies on batteries can pose a serious challenge, especially when deployed in remote locations. IntuBlade eliminates this issue by drawing power directly from the USB-C connection, ensuring the device is always ready to use.

   “One of the most frustrating things about some medical devices is running out of power when you need it most. IntuBlade gets rid of that problem. You plug it in, and it works—no worrying about batteries running low,” says Dr. Fedeles.

   This makes IntuBlade a highly reliable tool for use in military operations, where medics don’t always have the luxury of carrying or recharging multiple devices.

   
   

5. Standard Geometry for Intuitive Use

   IntuBlade’s standard blade geometry is another key feature that Dr. Fedeles sees as an advantage. Unlike hyper-angulated blades that require specialized training, IntuBlade uses a familiar design that mirrors traditional direct laryngoscopy, making it immediately usable by clinicians and medics trained in standard techniques.

   “The fact that IntuBlade uses standard geometry means it doesn’t require additional training. If you know how to use a standard laryngoscope, you know how to use this,” says Dr. Fedeles.

Results

Real-World Impact in Military and Civilian Settings

Dr. Fedeles believes that IntuBlade’s innovations will have a significant impact on airway management, especially in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. Its ability to deliver faster intubations without compromising on safety or visibility is crucial in trauma and emergency situations, both in the field and in hospitals.

Time Savings

With features like the built-in lens-clearing spray and USB-C connectivity, IntuBlade may help reduce intubation times by up to 20-30%, especially in contaminated airways. In emergency and military settings, where every second counts, this can make a life-saving difference.

“Time is everything during an intubation, especially in combat or trauma situations. IntuBlade cuts down on the delays we often see with traditional tools, which translates to better patient outcomes,” says Dr. Fedeles.

Wider Access to Advanced Technology

By eliminating the need for bulky equipment and using widely available devices like tablets and smartphones, IntuBlade provides affordable access to video laryngoscopy in settings where traditional systems are out of reach.

Simplified Training and Deployment

For military personnel, IntuBlade’s standard geometry and intuitive use make it an ideal tool for training medics. Its plug-and-play design ensures that it can be deployed quickly without requiring extensive training or additional setup time.

“IntuBlade is easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to transport. For medics in the field, it’s the kind of tool you want—something that works well, doesn’t require a lot of extra parts, and gets the job done fast,” says Dr. Fedeles.

Conclusion

IntuBlade’s Role in Improving Critical Airway Management

Dr. Benjamin Fedeles sees IntuBlade as a critical tool for improving airway management in both civilian and military medicine. With its USB-C connectivity, built-in lens-clearing spray, and battery-free design, IntuBlade offers an intuitive, reliable, and accessible solution for difficult intubations.

Whether in a hospital operating room, trauma bay, rural clinic, or a remote battlefield, IntuBlade delivers the functionality clinicians need to perform life-saving intubations quickly and effectively.

“IntuBlade brings together the best of advanced technology and simplicity. It’s a tool that works just as well in the field as it does in the hospital, and that’s what makes it so valuable,” concludes Dr. Fedeles.