Method of esophageal function testing with a standardized thixotropic swallow challenge medium

• US 7,764,992 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diversatek Healthcare, Inc. (Diversatek, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sandhill Scientific Incorporated (Diversatek, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mabary, Jerry E., Askill, Ian N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mallari; Patricia C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Toth; Karen E
• Application Number:
  US11/756,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20070225613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 600/547, 600/593, 600/350
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/037 Measuring oesophageal pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4205 Evaluating swallowing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4233 oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0095 Drinks; Beverages; Syrups; Compositions for reconstitution thereof, e.g. powders or tablets to be dispersed in a glass of water; Veterinary drenches A61K9/0007 takes precedence; eatable gels or foams A61K9/0056; oral mucosa adhesive forms A61K9/006

Abstract

A swallow challenge medium is thixotropic for easy swallowing and to provide enough viscosity for effective challenge to peristalsis and has high ionic density for effective impedance measurements by contact with electrodes positioned in a person'"'"'s esophagus or oropharynx during swallow testing. The medium also has a high surface tension so as not to adhere to or coat the electrodes or probe surfaces. These physical characteristics are stabilized and consistent enough to provide standard for esophageal and/or oropharyngeal function testing and diagnostics.

Claims

1. A method of testing peristalsis and bolus transit in a person'"'"'s esophagus, comprising:

positioning a plurality of electrodes in longitudinally spaced relation to each other in a person'"'"'s esophagus;

having the person swallow a thixotropic swallow challenge medium that has low shear viscosity in a range of 391,000 to 529,000 centipoises, medium shear viscosity in a range of 76,500 to 103,500 centipoises, and high shear viscosity in a range of 11,475 to 15,525 centipoises; and

measuring impedance across the electrodes as the swallow challenge medium moves through the esophagus, wherein the impedance measurements are indicative of peristalsis or bolus transit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the swallow challenge medium has conductivity in a range of 4.8 to 6.6 mS/cm.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the swallow challenge medium has an impedance in a range of 340 to 460 ohms.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the swallow challenge medium has pH in a range of 3.8 to 5.2.