A laryngeal mask airway device (100), comprising an inflatable cuff (334), the cuff (334) defining a central opening (340) at least when inflated, the cuff (334) being insertable through a mouth of a patient to an inserted location within the patient, the cuff (334) surrounding a glottic opening (212) of the patient when inflated and at the inserted location; an airway tube (110) extending from a proximal end (114) to a distal end, the airway tube (110) defining an internal passage, a sealed airway passage extending from the proximal end (114) of the tube (110) through the internal passage to the glottic opening (212) when the cuff (334) is inflated and at the inserted location; and means (710) to detect the condition or shape of the device (100) and to control the shape of the device (100), said means (710) allowing the device (100) to assume the fully inserted condition.