Human Clinical Benchmark • 2nd Generation SGA

i-gel® Supraglottic Airway

The World's First Non-Inflatable Anatomical Perilaryngeal Airway

Conceived, patented, and clinically developed by consultant anesthesiologist Dr. Muhammed Aslam Nasir, i-gel® revolutionized human anaesthesia and emergency resuscitation by eliminating inflatable cuffs in favor of an anatomical thermoplastic elastomer seal.

Request Clinical EvaluationManufactured & marketed under global license by Intersurgical Ltd

Operating theatre anaesthesia with i-gel

Routine Operating Theatre StandardOver 75 million procedures performed safely

Interactive Biomedical Schematic

i-gel® Anatomical Architecture & Seal Biomechanics

Click on any numbered anatomical marker or feature tag to inspect its engineering and clinical significance.

PATENT: US 7,464,710 B2SCALE: ANATOMICAL 1:1 MODELNON-INFLATABLE SEBS

Part 6DR. NASIR PATENT SPECIFICATION

Non-Inflatable Anatomical Gel Seal

Medical-grade SEBS | Pressure-neutral contact (<20 cmH2O) | Oropharyngeal seal >30 cmH2O

The core breakthrough invented by Dr. Muhammed Aslam Nasir: molded from soft medical-grade thermoplastic elastomer (SEBS) accurately mirroring perilaryngeal anatomy without air inflation.

Clinical & Biomechanical Advantage:

Creates an airtight seal (>30 cmH2O) matching aryepiglottic folds, pyriform fossae, and thyroid cartilage with zero cuff pressure, eliminating mucosal ischemia, nerve damage, and post-op sore throat.

Insertion Speed< 5 SecondsNo cuff inflation required

Oropharyngeal Seal> 30 cmH2OPositive pressure ventilation

The Core Clinical Paradigm Shift

Inflatable Balloon Cuff vs. Non-Inflatable Anatomical Gel Seal

Dr. Muhammed Aslam Nasir recognized that conventional airway cuffs create hydrostatic pressures far exceeding mucosal capillary perfusion pressure, causing ischemic tissue trauma.

Conventional Inflatable Cuff (1st Gen LMA)HIGH MORBIDITY RISK

Balloon Compression and Distension

Standard supraglottic airways rely on air inflation through a pilot balloon. In clinical practice, overinflation occurs in over 80% of routine cases, creating pressures reaching 80–120 cmH2O.

MUCOSAL TISSUE CROSS-SECTIONCAPILLARY PERFUSION: ISCHEMIC SHUTDOWN

Simulate Balloon Pressure:85 cmH2O

30 cmH2O (Min)40 cmH2O (Capillary Threshold)120 cmH2O (Max)

•Microvascular Ischemia: Capillary perfusion halts when pressure exceeds 30–40 cmH2O.

•Post-Operative Sore Throat: Documented in 30–55% of patients emerging from inflatable LMA.

•Nerve Palsies & Dysphagia: Direct compression of hypoglossal, lingual, and recurrent laryngeal nerves.

Dr. Nasir Innovation: i-gel® & v-gel®PHYSIOLOGICAL SAFETY

Pressure-Neutral Anatomic Gel Seal

Dr. Nasir eliminated the cuff entirely. Engineered from medical-grade SEBS thermoplastic elastomer, the seal mirrors human and veterinary anatomy, generating an airtight seal without mechanical tissue stress.

MUCOSAL TISSUE CROSS-SECTIONCAPILLARY PERFUSION: Least compression

Mucosal Contact Pressure:< 20 cmH2O (Physiological Safe Zone)

Intact Capillary Perfusion: Mucosal blood flow is 100% maintained throughout surgery.

Insertion with-in 5 Second: No syringe, no manometer check, no cuff inflation calculations.

Superior laryngeal Seal: Consistently delivers >30 cmH2O seal pressure for ventilation.

Standardized International Color Coding

i-gel® Neonatal to Adult Sizing System

Color-coded 15mm ISO connector collars for instant clinical identification across emergency bags and crash carts.

7 Clinically Calibrated Sizes

Selected Airway

Size 4 (Medium Green)

Medium Adult (Standard)

Recommended Weight50 – 90 kg

Gastric Vent Tube12 Fr

Max ETT Conduit7.0 mm ID

Evidence-Based Resuscitation Protocols

Clinical Applications Across Frontline Healthcare

Endorsed by international guidelines (DAS, ERC, AHA) from hospital theatres to emergency combat casualty care.

General Anaesthesia

Routine Surgical Anaesthesia

Provides smooth airway maintenance for spontaneous or mechanically ventilated adult and pediatric patients with minimal airway resistance and zero sore throat trauma.

Typical leak pressure: > 30 cmH2O

Emergency EMS

Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation

Investigated in the landmark AIRWAYS-2 trial published in JAMA. Paramedics achieve insertion in under 5 seconds during active chest compressions without pausing CPR.

First-pass success: > 96% in field trials

Difficult Airway

Fiberoptic Intubation Conduit

Featured in Difficult Airway Society (DAS) rescue algorithms. The wide central lumen accommodates flexible bronchoscopes and endotracheal tubes for definitive rescue intubation.

Accommodates up to 8.0 mm ID ETT

Comprehensive Engineering Specifications

Biomaterial CompositionMedical-Grade Thermoplastic Elastomer (SEBS) + Polypropylene connector

Cuff MechanismAnatomically molded non-inflatable soft gel cuff

Typical Oropharyngeal Seal Pressure30 to 35 cmH2O typical oropharyngeal leak pressure

Esophageal / Gastric AccessIntegrated dorsal conduit with distal esophageal port

Packaging & SterilizationSupplied sterile for single-patient use (pyrogen-free, DEHP & latex free)

Regulatory ClearancesUS FDA 510(k), CE Mark (MDR Class IIa), Health Canada, PMDA, TGA

Full Sizing & Compatibility Guide

From Neonatal (2 kg) through Large Adult (90+ kg)

7 Clinical Sizes

Size & Designation	Patient Weight	Color Code	Gastric Catheter	ET Tube Conduit	Primary Clinical Indication
Size 1 (Neonatal)	2 - 5 kg	Pink	N/A	3.5 mm max ID	Neonates and small infants requiring non-cuff perilaryngeal control
Size 1.5 (Infant)	5 - 12 kg	Light Blue	10 Fr	4.0 mm max ID	Infants undergoing elective or urgent pediatric procedures
Size 2 (Small Pediatric)	10 - 25 kg	Gray	12 Fr	5.0 mm max ID	Pediatric patients with intermediate airway requirements
Size 2.5 (Large Pediatric)	25 - 35 kg	White	12 Fr	5.5 mm max ID	Older children approaching adult perilaryngeal dimensions
Size 3 (Small Adult)	30 - 60 kg	Yellow	12 Fr	6.0 mm max ID	Small adults and adolescents in surgery or resuscitation
Size 4 (Medium Adult)	50 - 90 kg	Green	12 Fr	7.0 mm max ID	Standard adult size, the most widely deployed in OR and EMS
Size 5 (Large Adult)	90+ kg	Orange	14 Fr	8.0 mm max ID	Large or bariatric adult patients requiring high seal pressures

Clinical Sizing & Airway Selection Guide

Interactive Airway Selector

Determine anatomical sizing, suction tube Fr, and airway parameters based on patient weight.

1. Select Patient Species / Domain

2. Patient Body Weight70 kg (154.3 lbs)

Min: 2 kgMax: 120+ kg

Presets:

i-gel® Medium Adult (Gold Standard)Size 4

Color CodingGreen

Oropharyngeal Seal Pressure> 32 - 38 cmH2O

Gastric / Suction Access12 Fr gastric catheter

ET Tube / Optical ConduitAccepts up to 7.0 mm ID tracheal tube

Clinical & Placement Guidance: Primary size deployed in emergency resuscitation and adult OR surgical procedures.

Looking for Peer-Reviewed Clinical Trials?

Read the AIRWAYS-2 JAMA trial, Difficult Airway Society guidelines, and Macewen Medal citation.

Review Clinical Trials →