Document is current

Article History

Received: 23 July 2025

Accepted: 27 October 2025

First Online: 6 December 2025

Declarations

:

: ELW, MJL, SRP, and CJE, has no conflicts to report, while RAD and RLH, disclose their interest as principals of EmergenceMed, LLC, San Antonio, TX, a company involved in the development of new airway management technologies.

: This study was conducted as part of the NSF 21-552: Innovation Corps Team Program and an AFWERX Phase I SBIR effort. It involved informal interviews and anonymous data collection to identify end-user needs for product development. All activities were limited to general, non-sensitive feedback and did not collect identifiable or sensitive information. The study followed institutional guidelines and the ethical principles of the Belmont Report and the U.S. Common Rule (45 CFR 46). Under these regulations, the research qualified for exemption from formal Institutional Review Board (IRB) review under 45 CFR 46.104.

: Because data collection was anonymous and focused only on general user input, formal informed consent was not required. This determination aligns with institutional policy and national regulations, which exempt non-identifiable, non-sensitive data activities from consent requirements under 45 CFR 46.104.

: Not applicable.