Endotracheal tube with automatic cuff inflation and deflation

An endotracheal tube adapted for ventilating a patient and provided with an inflatable cuff to force air into the patient's lungs includes at least one port that communicates with the inflatable cuff such that, when air is forced down the tube during ventilation, a portion of the air is forced into the inflatable cuff and inflates it, occluding the trachea. During exhalation, the cuff is allowed to partially deflate. The partial deflation during every breathing cycle improves the blood flow to the tracheal tissues and reduces tissue damage from prolonged intubation.