Haufeng Wei

Haufeng Wei, MD, PhD, serves as Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania, with clinical privileges at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. A recognized expert in difficult airway management, he invented the WEI Jet Endotracheal Tube (WEI JET) and WEI Nasal Jet Tube (WEI Nasal JET), revolutionizing emergent airway techniques during high-risk procedures.

His educational trajectory includes:

• Medical School: Tongji Medical University
• Residencies: Shandong Medical University Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• Fellowships: Georgetown University Medical Center, National Institutes of Health

Dr. Wei's research program uniquely integrates airway device innovation with neuropharmacology. His laboratory pioneers intranasal nanoparticle delivery systems to target brain inflammation in Alzheimer's models while simultaneously developing clinical airway technologies that leverage similar delivery principles. This dual approach creates synergistic advancements—neuroscience findings inform airway device design, and clinical airway challenges stimulate new neurological applications.

Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals two dominant research vectors: (1) Clinical validation of supraglottic jet ventilation systems across diverse scenarios (bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, endoscopy), with emphasis on reducing hypoxemia and managing complications; and (2) Mechanistic studies of intranasal therapeutics in transgenic Alzheimer's models, demonstrating pyroptosis inhibition and behavioral improvements. Both vectors share core methodologies in translational device development and inflammatory pathway analysis.

Dr. Wei actively mentors trainees through hands-on involvement in high-impact projects, as evidenced by consistent first-author publications from junior researchers. His work is supported by active NIH-aligned grants focused on airway device innovation and neuroprotective drug delivery, with collaborations spanning Georgetown University, NIH, and multiple clinical departments at Penn. The research group maintains strong industry partnerships for device commercialization while prioritizing clinical implementation in critical care settings.

Though no formal lab name is specified, the team operates as a translational nexus where anesthesiologists, neuroscientists, and biomedical engineers co-develop solutions for airway emergencies and neurodegenerative disorders. Current projects focus on scaling nanoparticle production for clinical trials and refining the Twinstream® ventilator's microprocessor algorithms for personalized airway management.