Novel Tracheostomy Alert Device for Children and Adults
Official title: Novel Tracheostomy Alert Device
Funded at Voyageur Medtech, Corp. · NIH-11407809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, affordable sensor and loud alert system will warn caregivers if a tracheostomy tube is blocked or comes out, with a focus on protecting children who have the procedure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Voyageur Medtech, Corp. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $314,344 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HL186956-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11407809 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with a current tracheostomy, especially children, or caregivers who manage pediatric tracheostomy care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a tracheostomy or those not at risk for tube obstruction or decannulation would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a sensor-based alert device to detect tracheostomy tube obstruction or decannulation and notify caregivers with an audible alarm. It aims to be reliable, inexpensive, and easy to use in real-world care settings. The work includes building a prototype and evaluating its performance to prevent hypoxic injury and death in patients who rely on tracheostomy tubes. The target population includes both pediatric and adult patients who have undergone tracheostomy, with particular emphasis on children due to higher complication rates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could reduce serious brain injury or death from tracheostomy tube problems by enabling timely caregiver response.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts have explored alarms for airway devices, but this project emphasizes a low-cost, reliable, and pediatric-focused solution.
Where this research is happening
-
Voyageur Medtech, Corp.
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seifert, Gregory John — Voyageur Medtech, Corp.
- Study coordinator: Seifert, Gregory John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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EPIPHANY: Using AI to guide when to do tracheostomy for patients on long ventilators
An AI-based platform aims to help ICU teams decide the best time for tracheostomy in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation, potentially reducing complications and costs.
-
Airway microbes and viral infections in children with tracheostomies
This project looks at how airway germs and the body's response during viral infections affect illness in children who have tracheostomies and use home ventilation.
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Understanding infections in children with tracheostomies
This study is looking at what causes respiratory infections in children with tracheostomies, so we can better understand which kids might get sick more often and help them stay healthier.
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Understanding and treating infections in children with tracheostomies
This study looks at how doctors treat bacterial infections in children with tracheostomies, especially those caused by a tough germ called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to find better ways to help these kids get the right care.
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Investigating how viral infections affect children with tracheostomies and their microbiomes
This study is looking at children with tracheostomies who are more likely to get serious respiratory infections, to see how the germs in their airways and their immune system work together during these infections, with the hope of finding better ways to treat them.
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Creating a tool to help families make decisions about tracheostomy in the ICU
This study is working to make it easier for families to make decisions about tracheostomy procedures in the ICU by creating a helpful tool that addresses their specific questions and worries.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.