Despite achievements in measurement and monitoring capability, owing especially to the advent of the computer in the intensive care unit, there has not been a commensurate improvement in outlook for adult patients in acute respiratory failure. Development of invasive and noninvasive probes employing biological specific markers, transcutaneous gas tension devices, novel respiratory and anesthetic gas detection equipment, and flowmeters based on ultrasonics offers the promise of improved early warning and diagnostic capability which may improve the prognosis for the patient in acute respiratory failure. These emerging technologies are briefly described and evaluated in the context of the intensive care environment.