Reimagining the Oral Airway: Innovation Born in the OR

Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs · Feb 5, 2026 · 32m

Oral airways have looked basically the same for nearly a century despite dramatic changes in patient populations, sedation practices, and monitoring standards. What if a simple design change could bring significant improvements to safety and efficacy? In this episode, CRNA John Brown and entrepreneur Jason Keen of Arete Medical Devices share the story behind a newly designed oral airway that aims to solve problems anesthesia providers have quietly worked around for decades.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🫁 Why traditional oral airways no longer meet modern sedation needs

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