The UTMB School of Health Professions is proud to recognize an exciting milestone for Dr. Brian K. Walsh, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, RPFT, FAARC, Professor and Chair of the Department of Respiratory Therapy, who has published his first patent while at UTMB.
Dr. Walsh's international patent application, "Positive Airway Pressure Devices, Neonatal Fluidic Resuscitator Devices, and Methods" (WO 2026/112294), was published on May 28, 2026, through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
The invention introduces a new generation of fluidic positive airway pressure (FPAP) devices and neonatal resuscitator technology, designed with no moving parts, lower manufacturing costs, and, in testing, performance that matches or exceeds today's leading commercial devices.
At its core, this innovation addresses an important clinical challenge: supporting effective ventilation during neonatal resuscitation, particularly in emergency and resource-limited settings. Dr. Walsh’s fluidic-powered ventilator design, which requires no electronics, has the potential to bring safer, more consistent breathing support to the smallest and most vulnerable patients, both here and around the world.
This achievement is a significant recognition of Dr. Walsh’s ingenuity, dedication, and impact on patient care. It also reflects the environment of innovation, discovery, and translational research that continues to grow across UTMB and the School of Health Professions.
Please join the School of Health Professions in congratulating Dr. Walsh and celebrating the impact of his work.