Swallowing & Communication (Adults)

SEACTV is a prototype medical device that delivers a controlled flow of gas above the cuff of a tracheostomy tube. This promotes airflow via the upper airways and is especially useful when the tracheostomy tube cuff is inflated. The cuff may have to remain inflated for several reasons. The commonest reason is the need to deliver relatively high pressures to the lungs to help with ventilation. Sometimes, the medical team think that there is a high risk of aspiration, meaning that material from the throat that is normally swallowed or coughed out ends up in the windpipe or lungs. Often, restarting laryngeal airflow helps recovery and can reduce the risk of aspiration. 

Above Cuff Vocalisation (ACV) allows patients to speak by delivering airflow above the cuff, and out through the upper airway, even whilst the tracheostomy cuff is inflated. You can find out more about standard ACV on our communication pages by clicking here. However, standard ACV uses pipeline medical gas at 4 bar pressure. This approach has no safety features. There is a risk of serious complications such as subcutaneous emphysema and even death if the tube is slightly dislodged.  

Our innovation is SEA CTV, Safe and Effective Above Cuff Vocalisation. You can find out more by downloading the flier, or you can watch the videos in this section. We are currently seeking commercial partners for the next step in the development of SEA CTV. See the summary and flier to download on this page.