Abstract: A system and method diagnoses esophageal reflux in a patient. A catheter includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure when the catheter is inserted into the stomach of a patient. A second pressure sensor is located proximal to the distal tip and configured to measure intra-thoracic pressure. A pH indicator is carried by the catheter body and configured to indicate that reflux has occurred in response to an involuntary reflex cough test. A processing device is configured to receive data regarding the first and second pressure sensors and regarding the pH indicator and process that data and assess if reflux is present during the involuntary epoch.

Abstract: A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) airway protection device includes an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. A main lumen extends the length of the device and is configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. A sump port is at the distal end. A sump lumen is formed the length of the device body and configured for venting gas and preventing adherence of the device against the gastric wall. An inflatable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body mid-esophagus and an inflation lumen is formed within the device body and connects the inflatable esophageal cuff through which the esophageal cuff is inflated and deflated. Upon inflation of the esophageal cuff, emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus to protect a patient's airway.

Abstract: A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.

Abstract: A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.

Abstract: A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.

Abstract: A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.

Abstract: A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) airway protection device includes an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. A main lumen extends the length of the device and is configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. A sump port is at the distal end. A sump lumen is formed the length of the device body and configured for venting gas and preventing adherence of the device against the gastric wall. An inflatable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body mid-esophagus and an inflation lumen is formed within the device body and connects the inflatable esophageal cuff through which the esophageal cuff is inflated and deflated. Upon inflation of the esophageal cuff, emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus to protect a patient's airway.

Abstract: A system and method diagnoses esophageal reflux in a patient. A catheter includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure when the catheter is inserted into the stomach of a patient. A second pressure sensor is located proximal to the distal tip and configured to measure intra-thoracic pressure. A pH indicator is carried by the catheter body and configured to indicate that reflux has occurred in response to an involuntary reflex cough test. A processing device is configured to receive data regarding the first and second pressure sensors and regarding the pH indicator and process that data and assess if reflux is present during the involuntary epoch.

Abstract: A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.

Abstract: A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract: An improved nebulizer places a venturi in close proximity to or inside a patient's oral cavity. One or more medicine feed lines feeds the medicine to a location proximate to a venturi. A plurality of medicines may be administered simultaneously to the patient, with preferably each medicine vial being shape-keyed to a medicine receiver of corresponding shape. The medicine vial or vials may contain a standard unit dose of medication. A portable gas canister can be utilized to supply air pressure to the venturi when a press open release closed type valve is actuated.