Open AccessElectrical bioimpedance measurement as a tool for dysphagia visualisation
Author(s) -
Chester Chris J.,
Gaynor Paul T.,
Jones Richard D.,
Huckabee MaggieLee
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
healthcare technology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.45
H-Index - 19
ISSN - 2053-3713
DOI - 10.1049/htl.2014.0067
Subject(s) - pharynx , swallowing , dysphagia , waveform , medicine , biomedical engineering , computer science , surgery , telecommunications , radar
A non‐invasive and portable bioimpedance method and a device for detecting superior to inferior closure of the pharynx during swallowing have been developed. The 2‐channel device measures electric impedance across the neck at two levels of the pharynx via injected currents at 40 and 70 kHz. The device has been trialled on both healthy and dysphagic subjects. Results from these trials revealed a relationship ( r = 0.59) between the temporal separation of the second peaks in the bioimpedance waveforms and descending pressure sequence in the pharynx as measured by pharyngeal manometry. However, these features were only clearly visible in the bioimpedance waveforms for 64% of swallows. Further research is underway to improve the bioimpedance measurement reliability and validate waveform feature correlation to swallowing to maximise the device's efficacy in dysphagia rehabilitation.