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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 accurately measure the absolute barometric pressure within the pharynx.

Project Overview

The passing of food or liquid from the pharynx into the esophagus has been long characterized as a pressure-driven event, occurring as a result of driving forces placed on the bolus including lingual propulsion, tongue-base and pharyngeal wall approximation, and pharyngeal shortening. While these forces upon the bolus certainly can be expected to produce movement, we postulate that this characterization overlooks some crucial aspects of swallowing that may also be driving movement of the material being swallowed, and may contribute to both successful (i.e., safe, and efficient) and unsuccessful deglutition. This device would ideally provide a visual interface, monitoring barometric pressure levels over time to be able to verify function of device post-insertion. It would be desirable that the device would have a mechanism to ensure adequate synchronization of data collection between the device and videofluoroscopy. Ultimately, the device will output a text or csv file containing a column of barometric pressure levels that correspond to each instance of sampling.

Team Picture

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

Contact Information

Team Members

Advisor and Client

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