Detection and treatment of abnormal esophageal sphincter functionality

An esophageal device is used to recognize, diagnose, characterize, or relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the esophageal device measures a UES response to esophageal fluid infusion to detect or characterize an abnormality or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. An Upper Esophageal Sphincter compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the Upper Esophageal Sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality.

SWALLOW EXERCISER

A method and system for antenna alignment is provided at a receiving antenna. Geolocation information of the receiving antenna is entered. An auto-programming sequence is initiated to tune to channels received from a transmitting antenna. A plurality of transmitted signals is received from the transmitting antenna. Each of the plurality of transmitted signals is transmitted on a respective channel and includes geolocation information of the transmitting antenna, conditional access data, and a payload. A signal processor of the receiving antenna calculates a signal path between the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna for receiving each of the plurality of transmitted signals based on the geolocation information of the receiving antenna and the geolocation information of the transmitting antenna. A storage device of the receiving antenna records, as part of a selection list, a channel number and the calculated signal path to the transmitting antenna for each of the plurality of transmitted signals. One of said plurality of transmitted signals is selected. The receiving antenna is aligned, using a pan/tilt system, to tune the selected one of the plurality of transmitted signals according to the calculated signal path. 1. A method of aligning an antenna comprising the steps of:entering geolocation information of a receiving antenna;initiating an auto-programming sequence to tune to channels received from a transmitting antenna;receiving a plurality of transmitted signals from the transmitting antenna, each of the plurality of transmitted signals being transmitted on a respective channel and including geolocation information of the transmitting antenna, conditional access data, and a payload;calculating, using a signal processor of the receiving antenna, a signal path between the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna for receiving each of the plurality of transmitted signals based on the geolocation information of the receiving antenna and the ...

Detection and Treatment of Abnormal Upper Esophageal Sphincter Functionality

An esophageal device is used to recognize, diagnose, characterize, or relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the esophageal device measures a UES response to esophageal fluid infusion to detect or characterize an abnormality or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. An Upper Esophageal Sphincter compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the Upper Esophageal Sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. 1. A compression device for reducing pharyngeal reflux in a patient , the compression device comprising:a band; anda cushion disposed on the band, wherein the band is configured:to position the cushion over a cricoid of the patient; andto apply a predetermined amount of pressure to the cricoid in order to reduce pharyngeal reflux in the patient while allowing the patient to open an Upper Esophageal Sphincter of the patient for other physiological events.2. The compression device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount of pressure is in a range of pressures between 10 and 70 millimeters of mercury.3. The compression device of claim 1 , wherein the other physiological events are selected from a group consisting of the patient: venting gas claim 1 , belching claim 1 , and swallowing.4. The compression device of claim 1 , wherein the cushion disposed on the band is configured to avoid compression of vascular structures in a neck of the patient.5. The compression device of claim 1 , wherein the band has:a first surface;an opposite, second surface;a first attachment means disposed at a first end of the band; anda second attachment means disposed at a second end of the band;the cushion is disposed on the second surface of the band;andthe band, the first attachment means, and the second attachment means are structured such that when the band is placed around a neck of the patient and ...

DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF ABNORMAL ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER FUNCTIONALITY

An esophageal device is used to recognize, diagnose, characterize, or relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the esophageal device measures a UES response to esophageal fluid infusion to detect or characterize an abnormality or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. An Upper Esophageal Sphincter compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the Upper Esophageal Sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. 1. An esophageal device for diagnosing Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) pathology , the esophageal device comprising:(a) a intra-luminal pressure sensor configured to measure UES pressure when the intra-luminal pressure sensor is located within an Upper Esophageal Sphincter of a patient; tubing configured for insertion into an esophagus of a patient;', 'a pump configured to inject fluid into the tubing, wherein, when the tubing is inserted into the esophagus, injection of the fluid invokes a pharyngeal reflux in the patient; and', 'a controller configured to control a pump pressure of the pump;, '(b) a fluid infusion device including(c) an output device;and receiving indicia about the UES pressure measured by the intra-luminal pressure sensor when the pharyngeal reflux occurs in the patient;', 'comparing the received said UES pressure of the patient with a predetermined said UES pressure, wherein the predetermined said UES pressure is determined from at least one said UES pressure of a corresponding control subject when the corresponding control subject experiences pharyngeal reflux; and', 'transmitting a result of the comparison to the output device accessible by a health care provider diagnosing the patient., '(d) an article of manufacture communicatively coupled with the output device, the article of manufacture including a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium ...

Systems and Methods for Continence Training

A medical device for reducing incontinence can be dimensioned to be placed in an interior region of a subject surrounded by muscle tissue. The medical device can include a first balloon having an interior space containing a fluid. The proximal end of a first fluid conduit can be coupled to an outlet of the first balloon. The medical device can also include a pressure sensing detector coupled to a distal end of the first fluid conduit. The pressure sensing detector can include a second balloon. The second balloon can also be in fluid communication with the interior space of the first balloon. The first balloon can be compressed from the contraction of the muscle tissue, which can displace a portion of the fluid within the interior space of the first balloon. The portion of fluid moves towards the second balloon and causes the second balloon to increase in interior volume thereby indicating a contraction force of the muscle tissue. 1. A medical device for reducing incontinence , the device being dimensioned to be placed in an interior region of a subject surrounded by muscle tissue , the medical device comprising:a first balloon having a first end and a second end, the first balloon defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defining an interior space, the interior space including a fluid, the first balloon having an outlet disposed on the first end of the balloon, the outlet being in fluid communication with the interior space of the first balloon;a first fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being coupled to the outlet of the first balloon, the fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the outlet and the interior space of the first balloon; anda pressure sensing detector coupled to the distal end of the first fluid conduit, the pressure sensing detector including a second balloon, the second balloon being in fluid communication with the interior space of the first balloon,wherein compression of ...

Swallow exerciser

A swallow exerciser device that exercises and thereby strengthens the muscles involved in swallowing includes a rigid shell, an adjustable fastener, and an inflatable pad. The rigid shell has a longitudinal dimension such that the shell extends above and below the larynx of the subject when the swallow exerciser device is positioned over the larynx of the subject. The adjustable fastener is dimensioned to secure the shell around a neck of the subject with the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject. The inflatable pad is connected to a proximal surface of the shell. The inflatable pad is dimensioned to apply resistance to force of at least one swallowing muscle of the subject when the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject and when the inflatable pad is in an inflated position. The swallow exerciser device can be used in a method for improving swallowing function in a subject.

Detection and Treatment of Abnormal Upper Esophageal Sphincter Functionality

An esophageal device is used to recognize, diagnose, characterize, or relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the esophageal device measures a UES response to esophageal fluid infusion to detect or characterize an abnormality or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. An Upper Esophageal Sphincter compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the Upper Esophageal Sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. 1. A compression device for securement around a neck of a subject , the neck having a diameter defined between a first end and an opposed second end of the neck , the compression device comprising:a band;a cushion having a first end, and an opposite second end, a length, and a thickness, the first end and the second end of the cushion defining the length, the cushion coupled to the band,wherein the band is configured to position the cushion over a cricoid of the subject to apply a predetermined amount of pressure to the cricoid thereby generating an intra-luminal pressure within an esophagus of the subject, such that the intra-luminal pressure reduces pharyngeal reflux in the subject while allowing the subject to open a Upper Esophageal Sphincter of the subject for other physiological events,wherein the length of the cushion is less than the diameter of the neck of the subject, such that the first end and the second end of the cushion are retained within the first end and the opposed second end of the neck of the subject, andwherein the compression device is configured to avoid compression of vasculature structures in the neck of the subject.2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor.3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense the intra-luminal pressure within the esophagus of the subject.4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the ...

Compression Device and Pressure Sensor for Treatment of Abnormal Upper Esophageal Sphincter Functionality

A compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective upper esophageal sphincter anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the compression device is used in conjunction with an external pressure sensing device to determine the external pressure that is to be applied to the cricoid for a specific patient. The compression device can be a means for the management and/or treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality, or a means for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject, or a means for curing esophageal reflux disease of a subject, or a means for improving vocal function in a subject, or a means for managing lung aspiration, or a means for applying cricoid pressure during anesthesia intubation, or a means for stabilizing body structures such as during medical imaging or radiation treatment. 1. A method for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject , the method comprising:(a) providing a compression device including (i) a frame, (ii) a strap having a first end section attached to the frame and an opposite second end section attached to the frame, and (iii) a cushion disposed on the frame;(b) positioning the compression device around a neck of the subject such that the cushion applies pressure on the neck that is transmitted to the esophageal sphincter of the subject; and(c) repeating step (c) a plurality of times whereby the esophageal sphincter of the subject is strengthened.2. The method of wherein:step (b) occurs while the subject is sleeping.3. The method of wherein:a length of the strap between the first end section and the second end section is adjustable,a clasp is attached to the second end section of the strap; andthe clasp is configured to fasten the strap to the frame to position the cushion over a cricoid of the subject and to apply the pressure on the neck that is transmitted to the ...

Compression Device and Pressure Sensor for Treatment of Abnormal Upper Esophageal Sphincter Functionality

A compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective upper esophageal sphincter anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the compression device is used in conjunction with an external pressure sensing device to determine the external pressure that is to be applied to the cricoid for a specific patient. The compression device can be a means for the management and/or treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality, or a means for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject, or a means for curing esophageal reflux disease of a subject, or a means for improving vocal function in a subject, or a means for managing lung aspiration, or a means for applying cricoid pressure during anesthesia intubation, or a means for stabilizing body structures such as during medical imaging or radiation treatment.

Apparatus for measuring esophageal sphincter compliance

An apparatus (10) and method are disclosed for measuring the compliance of the lower esophageal sphincter (21) (LES), the apparatus comprises a catheter (12) having a plurality of extendable members (28, 30, 32) disposed there along for both measuring the compliance of the LES and stimulating the esophagus (19) which relaxes the LES to obtain a more clinically relevant measurement of LES compliance. In one embodiment, the plurality of extendable members include a first balloon (28) which is located and inflated within the esophagus to trigger esophageal motility, a second, non-elastic balloon (30) that is positioned within the LES, and a third balloon (32) which is inflated within the stomach (23) to help align the second balloon with LES. Incrementally increasing volumes of air are introduced into the second balloon, with the resulting pressures exerted by the LES calculated and compared to normative values to assess the condition of the LES.

INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING THE SUBSEQUENTITY OF A CLOSURE MUSCLE

Swallow exerciser

A swallow exerciser device that exercises and thereby strengthens the muscles involved in swallowing includes a rigid shell, an adjustable fastener, and an inflatable pad. The rigid shell has a longitudinal dimension such that the shell extends above and below the larynx of the subject when the swallow exerciser device is positioned over the larynx of the subject. The adjustable fastener is dimensioned to secure the shell around a neck of the subject with the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject. The inflatable pad is connected to a proximal surface of the shell. The inflatable pad is dimensioned to apply resistance to force of at least one swallowing muscle of the subject when the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject and when the inflatable pad is in an inflated position. The swallow exerciser device can be used in a method for improving swallowing function in a subject.

Swallow exerciser

A swallow exerciser device that exercises and thereby strengthens the muscles involved in swallowing includes a rigid shell, an adjustable fastener, and an inflatable pad. The rigid shell has a longitudinal dimension such that the shell extends above and below the larynx of the subject when the swallow exerciser device is positioned over the larynx of the subject. The adjustable fastener is dimensioned to secure the shell around a neck of the subject with the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject. The inflatable pad is connected to a proximal surface of the shell. The inflatable pad is dimensioned to apply resistance to force of at least one swallowing muscle of the subject when the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject and when the inflatable pad is in an inflated position. The swallow exerciser device can be used in a method for improving swallowing function in a subject.

INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING THE SUBSEQUENTITY OF A CLOSURE MUSCLE

Compression device and pressure sensor for treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality

A compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective upper esophageal sphincter anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the compression device is used in conjunction with an external pressure sensing device to determine the external pressure that is to be applied to the cricoid for a specific patient. The compression device can be a means for the management and/or treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality, or a means for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject, or a means for curing esophageal reflux disease of a subject, or a means for improving vocal function in a subject, or a means for managing lung aspiration, or a means for applying cricoid pressure during anesthesia intubation, or a means for stabilizing body structures such as during medical imaging or radiation treatment.

Apparatus for measuring esophageal sphincter compliance

An apparatus (10) and method are disclosed for measuring the compliance of the lower esophageal sphincter (21) (LES), the apparatus comprises a catheter (12) having a plurality of extendable members (28, 30, 32) disposed there along for both measuring the compliance of the LES and stimulating the esophagus (19) which relaxes the LES to obtain a more clinically relevant measurement of LES compliance. In one embodiment, the plurality of extendable members include a first balloon (28) which is located and inflated within the esophagus to trigger esophageal motility, a second, non-elastic balloon (30) that is positioned within the LES, and a third balloon (32) which is inflated within the stomach (23) to help align the second balloon with LES. Incrementally increasing volumes of air are introduced into the second balloon, with the resulting pressures exerted by the LES calculated and compared to normative values to assess the condition of the LES.

Compression device and pressure sensor for treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality

A compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective upper esophageal sphincter anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the compression device is used in conjunction with an external pressure sensing device to determine the external pressure that is to be applied to the cricoid for a specific patient. The compression device can be a means for the management and/or treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality, or a means for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject, or a means for curing esophageal reflux disease of a subject, or a means for improving vocal function in a subject, or a means for managing lung aspiration, or a means for applying cricoid pressure during anesthesia intubation, or a means for stabilizing body structures such as during medical imaging or radiation treatment.

Instrument zur messung der nachgiebigkeit eines schliessmuskels

Compression Device and Pressure Sensor for Treatment of Abnormal Upper Esophageal Sphincter Functionality

A compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective upper esophageal sphincter anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the compression device is used in conjunction with an external pressure sensing device to determine the external pressure that is to be applied to the cricoid for a specific patient. The compression device can be a means for the management and/or treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality, or a means for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject, or a means for curing esophageal reflux disease of a subject, or a means for improving vocal function in a subject, or a means for managing lung aspiration, or a means for applying cricoid pressure during anesthesia intubation, or a means for stabilizing body structures such as during medical imaging or radiation treatment.

Endoscope with Pressure Recorder

Disclosed is an endoscope for measuring intra-organ pressure (e.g., intragastric pressure), and more particularly an endoscope for measuring intra-organ pressure (e.g., intragastric pressure) and visualizing the response of an adjacent sphincter (e.g., lower esophageal sphincter) to changes in the intra-organ pressure.

Systems and methods for continence training

A medical device for reducing incontinence can be dimensioned to be placed in an interior region of a subject surrounded by muscle tissue. The medical device can include a first balloon having an interior space containing a fluid. The proximal end of a first fluid conduit can be coupled to an outlet of the first balloon. The medical device can also include a pressure sensing detector coupled to a distal end of the first fluid conduit. The pressure sensing detector can include a second balloon. The second balloon can also be in fluid communication with the interior space of the first balloon. The first balloon can be compressed from the contraction of the muscle tissue, which can displace a portion of the fluid within the interior space of the first balloon. The portion of fluid moves towards the second balloon and causes the second balloon to increase in interior volume thereby indicating a contraction force of the muscle tissue.

Systems and methods for continence training

A medical device for reducing incontinence can be dimensioned to be placed in an interior region of a subject surrounded by muscle tissue. The medical device can include a first balloon having an interior space containing a fluid. The proximal end of a first fluid conduit can be coupled to an outlet of the first balloon. The medical device can also include a pressure sensing detector coupled to a distal end of the first fluid conduit. The pressure sensing detector can include a second balloon. The second balloon can also be in fluid communication with the interior space of the first balloon. The first balloon can be compressed from the contraction of the muscle tissue, which can displace a portion of the fluid within the interior space of the first balloon. The portion of fluid moves towards the second balloon and causes the second balloon to increase in interior volume thereby indicating a contraction force of the muscle tissue.

Swallow exerciser

A swallow exerciser device that exercises and thereby strengthens the muscles involved in swallowing includes a rigid shell, an adjustable fastener, and an inflatable pad. The rigid shell has a longitudinal dimension such that the shell extends above and below the larynx of the subject when the swallow exerciser device is positioned over the larynx of the subject. The adjustable fastener is dimensioned to secure the shell around a neck of the subject with the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject. The inflatable pad is connected to a proximal surface of the shell. The inflatable pad is dimensioned to apply resistance to force of at least one swallowing muscle of the subject when the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject and when the inflatable pad is in an inflated position. The swallow exerciser device can be used in a method for improving swallowing function in a subject.

Compression device