Abstract: Compositions comprise an amount of cinnamaldehyde that is orally tolerable, thus avoiding an unpleasant mouth feeling, and also tolerable in the gastrointestinal tract. The amount of cinnamaldehyde is supplemented by zinc, and the combination is effective to promote a swallowing reflex. The composition comprising the combination of cinnamaldehyde and zinc can be used in a method to treat dysphagia and/or prevent aspiration pneumonia from dysphagia. In an embodiment, the composition comprising cinnamaldehyde is administered to a human. The composition comprising cinnamaldehyde may be a medicament, a food product or a supplement to a food product.

Abstract: Compositions comprise an amount of cinnamaldehyde that is orally tolerable, thus avoiding an unpleasant mouth feeling, and also tolerable in the gastrointestinal tract. The amount of cinnamaldehyde is supplemented by zinc, and the combination is effective to promote a swallowing reflex. The composition comprising the combination of cinnamaldehyde and zinc can be used in a method to treat dysphagia and/or prevent aspiration pneumonia from dysphagia. In an embodiment, the composition comprising cinnamaldehyde is administered to a human. The composition comprising cinnamaldehyde may be a medicament, a food product or a supplement to a food product.

Abstract: Nutritional products, uses thereof, methods for the manufacture and methods for improving the cohesiveness of the nutritional products are disclosed. The nutritional products have improved cohesiveness for promoting safer swallowing of food boluses for individuals having swallowing difficulties such as dysphagia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assessing the characteristics of the swallowing process in a subject a sensor that is capable of detecting vibrations of the throat during swallowing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cohesive thin liquid nutritional product comprising an aqueous solution of at least one food grade biopolymer selected from a group of molecules providing visco-elasticity, to the use of said product for promoting safer swallowing of food boluses in dysphagic patients and to a method for preparing the product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cohesive thin liquid bolus comprising an aqueous solution of at least one food grade biopolymer and at least one bioactive compound, to the use of said cohesive thin liquid bolus for promoting safer swallowing of food boluses in dysphagic patients and to a method for preparing the bolus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating a swallowing disorder in a patient suffering from aspiration before, during and/or after the swallowing reflex, and to a bolus for use in the treatment of a swallowing disorder in such a patient.

Abstract: Microparticulate compositions and nutritional compositions containing the microparticulate compositions are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, the microparticulate compositions include one or more probiotics and have a size ranging from about micron to about 20 microns. The microparticulate compositions can be added to any suitable nutritional composition.

Abstract: Apparatuses for detecting swallowing disorders and methods for using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the apparatuses include a disposable sensor base and a sensor that is received by the disposable sensor base. The sensor base includes a sensor interface having a predetermined cut-away shape and a directionally-keyed mating surface. The sensor includes a handle portion having a shape that corresponds to the predetermined shape of the sensor interface, a support portion configured to be received by the directionally-keyed mating surface when the sensor is inserted into the sensor interface, and electronics configured to collect data sensed by the sensor. The apparatuses of the present disclosure can be attached to a patient's neck to detect and/or diagnose swallowing disorders during a swallowing test.

Abstract: In a general embodiment, a method for increasing efficacy of a swallow response is provided. The method includes providing a thickened composition having a xanthan gum thickening component, and orally administering the composition to an individual having, or at risk of having, a swallowing impairment. In an embodiment, the efficacy of the swallow response is increased by reducing an amount of pharyngeal residue in the individual's piriform sinuses, valleculae, and/or pharyngeal wall during or after the individual swallows the composition.

Abstract: Nutritional products having improved cohesiveness for promoting safer swallowing of food boluses for patients having swallowing conditions are provided as well as methods of making and using such products. The nutritional products may include nutritional compositions and high molecular weight, water-soluble polymers such that the nutritional products have extensional viscosities that provide improved cohesiveness to the nutritional products. Methods of administering such nutritional products to patients having impaired swallowing ability and/or dysphagia are also provided.

Abstract: Nutritional products having improved cohesiveness of food boluses and methods of making and using same are provided. The nutritional products may include nutritional compositions and high molecular weight, water-soluble polymers such that the nutritional products have extensional viscosities that provide improved cohesiveness to the nutritional products and Trouton ratios of at least 6. Methods of administering such nutritional products to patients having impaired swallowing ability and/or dysphagia are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of modification of dissolution kinetics of particulate materials. In particular, the present invention relates to the adaptation of the dissolution kinetics of powders, e.g., food powders to a particular purpose. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a Composite Particle to be dissolved comprising at least two solid soluble sub-particles, at least one of which has a negative heat of dissolution in the liquid the Composite Particle is to be dissolved in.