An airway device (14), that is used to maintain a clear airway in a patient, e.g. for artificial ventilation during surgery, comprises an inflatable cuff (26), which is inflated when in position in a patients airway (24). The inflated cuff (26) provides a seal to maintain the device (14) in position in a patients airway (24), and to prevent leakage of infected oropharangeal secretions into the patients lungs. A method and apparatus (10) for monitoring and controlling the pressure in the inflatable cuff (26) is described, which, in one embodiment, controls the pressure about a setpoint pressure, while preventing loss of sealing pressure during a patients respiratory cycle. In other embodiments, the method and apparatus monitors for: leaks in the pressure system of the device (14) that includes the cuff (26) blockage in the pressure system, and/or malpositioning of the airway device (14) during use.
