SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING AN INFLATABLE CUFF

The present disclosure relates to a system for characterizing an inflatable cuff arranged around a tracheal tube for providing breathing support to a patient, the system comprising: at least one flow unit, such as a pump, in fluid connection with a cuff conduit connected to the inflatable cuff, wherein the at least one flow unit is adapted to fill the inflatable cuff with gas or liquid; at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the inflatable cuff; at least one flow sensor for measuring a flow of gas or liquid to and/or from the inflatable cuff; a processing unit for estimating the volume of gas or liquid or a change of the volume of gas or liquid in the inflatable cuff based on measurements of the flow of gas or liquid to and/or from the inflatable cuff, wherein the processing unit is configured to: extract a pressure-volume relationship between the measured pressure and the estimated volume of gas or liquid or a change of the volume of gas or liquid in the inflatable cuff, and compare the pressure-volume relationship against a previously measured or a predetermined reference pressure-volume relationship to characterize the inflatable cuff. The disclosure further relates to method for characterizing an inflatable cuff arranged around a tracheal tube for providing breathing support to a patient.