Premium
A novel scalable electrode array and system for non‐invasively assessing gastric function using flexible electronics
Author(s) -
Gharibans Armen A.,
Hayes Tommy C. L.,
Carson Daniel A.,
Calder Stefan,
Varghese Chris,
Du Peng,
Yarmut Yaara,
Waite Stephen,
Keane Celia,
Woodhead Jonathan S. T.,
Andrews Christopher N.,
O'Grady Greg
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.14418
Subject(s) - scalability , postprandial , bluetooth , biomedical engineering , wearable computer , computer science , gastric emptying , medicine , electronics , embedded system , stomach , electrical engineering , wireless , telecommunications , engineering , database , insulin
Background Disorders of gastric function are highly prevalent, but diagnosis often remains symptom‐based and inconclusive. Body surface gastric mapping is an emerging diagnostic solution, but current approaches lack scalability and are cumbersome and clinically impractical. We present a novel scalable system for non‐invasively mapping gastric electrophysiology in high‐resolution (HR) at the body surface. Methods The system comprises a custom‐designed stretchable high‐resolution “peel‐and‐stick” sensor array (8 × 8 pre‐gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes at 2 cm spacing; area 225 cm 2 ), wearable data logger with custom electronics incorporating bioamplifier chips, accelerometer and Bluetooth synchronized in real‐time to an App with cloud connectivity. Automated algorithms filter and extract HR biomarkers including propagation (phase) mapping. The system was tested in a cohort of 24 healthy subjects to define reliability and characterize features of normal gastric activity (30 m fasting, standardized meal, and 4 h postprandial). Key Results Gastric mapping was successfully achieved non‐invasively in all cases (16 male; 8 female; aged 20–73 years; BMI 24.2 ± 3.5). In all subjects, gastric electrophysiology and meal responses were successfully captured and quantified non‐invasively (mean frequency 2.9 ± 0.3 cycles per minute; peak amplitude at mean 60 m postprandially with return to baseline in <4 h). Spatiotemporal mapping showed regular and consistent wave activity of mean direction 182.7° ± 73 (74.7% antegrade, 7.8% retrograde, 17.5% indeterminate). Conclusions and Inferences BSGM is a new diagnostic tool for assessing gastric function that is scalable and ready for clinical applications, offering several biomarkers that are improved or new to gastroenterology practice.