For patients who depend on mechanical ventilation through a tracheostomy, speaking can be challenging. A University of Alabama (UAB)-based early-stage translational fund is helping two UAB researchers develop a device to make speaking valve use safer and more manageable while giving clinicians information to guide patient care.
2026 Blazer Bridge Fund (BBF) awardees Ryne Simpson, M.D., Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, and Andres Morales from the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, invented V-SAFE (Ventilator integrated-Speaking valve Adapter for Feedback and Evaluation). The device features adjustable pressure release and airflow monitoring to help clinicians evaluate patients using speaking valves.
The BBF, which aims to support the development of new inventions, is administered by the UAB Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HIIE).
Speaking valves allow patients with tracheostomies to speak by redirecting airflow through the vocal cords. However, traditional in-line valves lack adjustable pressure-release mechanisms. For patients with airway obstructions, this can lead to pressure buildup and difficulty tolerating the valves.
Andres Morales and Ryne Simpson, M.D.
Simpson works extensively with children who depend on mechanical ventilation and saw an opportunity to address this challenge while modifying a speaking valve for trainee education.
“Not all children can tolerate speaking valves easily,” Simpson said.
V-SAFE is designed to provide clinicians with objective data to help identify patients at risk of speaking valve intolerance while allowing controlled pressure release. Its design also maintains the ventilator’s monitoring capabilities without requiring additional electronics.
The technology recently received the BBF award to support further development. The funding will help Simpson and Morales refine their initial prototype and test feasibility of an automatic pressure-release mechanism.
The researchers plan to use the award to improve the device’s design and prepare manufacturing, focusing on creating a reproducible prototype. The funds will also support testing a passive mechanism that automatically releases pressure when it reaches a defined threshold.
“This award will allow me to leverage the expertise of UAB Engineering to pursue my goal of improving the lives of children who need long term mechanical ventilation,” Simpson said.
The team has already validated its first-generation prototype and collected preliminary proof-of-concept data. A provisional patent has been filed, and a manuscript describing the technology has been submitted.
With support of the BBF and HIIE, the researchers hope to advance V-SAFE toward a more refined design and determine its potential for improving speaking valve use in children who rely on mechanical ventilation.
To learn more about V-SAFE, email the inventors
Learn more about the Blazer Bridge Fund here.
-- Oct. 22, 2026