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Barometric pressure dynamics within the pharynx during human swallowing

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The team's objective is to create a device which can isolate barometric pressure within the pharynx to diagnose dysphagia.

Project Overview

According to the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Journal, swallowing disorders (dysphagia) affect up to 1 in 6 Americans, costing the U.S. healthcare system between $4.3 and $7.1 billion annually (according to the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus). Furthermore, results from the Archives of Otolaryngology show that hospitalized patients with dysphagia stayed an average of 4.04 days at the hospital, 1.64 days longer than patients without dysphagia hospitalized for the same ailment. Due to this immense impact, swallowing research has proliferated in recent years. High Resolution Pharyngeal Manometry (HRPM) reconstructs the throat in 3D by combining dynamic pressure (contact, barometric, fluid) data throughout swallowing. Similarly, videofluoroscopy reconstructs the throat using X-ray images of the patient swallowing fluorescent barium contrast. While both of these research methods provide insight into pharyngeal and esophageal function, separation of pressure types has little research. Specifically, the interplay between contact and barometric pressure. This device aims to exclusively measure barometric pressure within the pharynx, excluding the contact pressure and the bolus fluid pressure. The device consists of four main components: Raspberry Pi 3B+ microcontroller, Qwiic Sparkfun micro pressure sensor, polyurethane tubing, and micropore tape. The micropore tape is placed on the distal end of the PU tubing, and the proximal end is attached via epoxy to the pressure sensor. The distal end of the device is inserted transnasally into the pharynx, and pressure within the tube and the pharynx is equal. Pressure is recorded during the swallowing process and compared to atmospheric (ambient) pressure. Changes in pressure up to ± 10 kPa were found to be accurate, with less than 5% maximum error when compared to control. Given accurate pressure detection, future work includes testing in vivo via transnasal insertion to determine if physiological factors affect the viability of the device. Additional sterilization methods must also be considered to finalize the instrument.

Team Picture

From Left to Right: Aksel Bresin, Tayler Carlson, Annika Syslack, Bodey Cartier, Jacki Szelagowski
From Left to Right: Aksel Bresin, Tayler Carlson, Annika Syslack, Bodey Cartier, Jacki Szelagowski

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