• an image processing system for madical diagnosis and most suitable placement of tracheal incision;
• mechanical devices to prevent patient’s neck area from moving;
• mechanisms for an effective tracheal incision in order to maintain an effectiva airway, and;
• a control unit for information processing for the purpose of adapting medical procedure to patient’s anatomical characteristics.

“Tracheo4Life combines medical imaging systems, an effective stabilization method of the patient, a precise mechanism for the tracheal incision and a control unit in a single device”

• Around 10% of mechanically ventilated critically ill patients receive a tracheotomy to facilitate prolonged airway and ventilatory support.
• Complication rates associated with tracheotomy have been reported to range from 15-40%; the mortality rate related to tracheotomy is reported to be less than 2%. Mortality is caused, among other factors, by the blockage of the tube to be inserted or its displacement.
• Complications and mortality associated with tracheotomy are mostly avoidable if the procedure is carefully performed. Post-tracheotomy complication rates are found to be significantly higher in emergency tracheotomy than in elective one (2 or 5 times higher).
• Urgent tracheotomies:
• Urgent tracheotomies can not be usually performed in controlled environments, with the patient under local anasthesia. The awake patient could contribute to this topic negatively, as the patient’s anxiety and movements challenge the whole surgeon. 
• The risk of pneumothorax is highly increased in patients with abnormal work of breathing.
• Urgent awake tracheotomies imply the necessity of fast and simple techniques, that may be easily learned and performed with minimal assistance.

“Tracheo4Life represents an essential advance to improve the reliability of emergency tracheotomies, sucha a critical surgery in terms of complications and patient safety”

• Global respiratory care equipment and supplies market is estimated to reach $11 billion by 2017, growing at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2010-2015. The therapeutics devices market dominates the global respiratory care market, followed by monitoring devices and disposables, including  tracheotomy devices [Global Industry Analysts Inc.]
• USA, Western Europe and Japan dominate the world’s consumption of medical devices (USA, 41%) [Frost].
• Many emerging markets are witnessing annual medical device consumption growth rates of 15-20% (China, India, Brazil, Mexico), while most established markets are stuck at growth rates between 5-7% [Frost].