Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tingling composition and the use thereof to provide trigeminal sensory stimulation at a dosage and a viscosity effective to improve the swallowing function of patients suffering from dysphagia. The present disclosure provides people suffering from dysphagia with a novel type of solution combining a thickening agent, a tingling composition, and optionally a trigeminal ingredient at the right concentrations. The present disclosure discloses, a tingling composition, specifically, an effervescent composition or an easy and/or fast dissolving thickener composition formulated for dilution into a nutritional product, a nutritional product made from the composition, a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage, a use of the composition, a method for making a nutritional product from the composition, and a related system.

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: A thickener is disclosed, as well as a nutritional product including the thickener, uses thereof, methods for the manufacture thereof, methods for improving the cohesiveness of a nutritional product, and related systems. The nutritional products have improved cohesiveness for promoting safer and more efficient swallowing of food boluses for individuals having swallowing difficulties such as dysphagia. In a preferred embodiment, the nutritional product includes a thickener comprising a beta-glucan and an additive. Preferably, the nutritional product has a relaxation time, determined by a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometry (CaBER) experiment, of from 10 ms to 2000 ms at a temperature of 20° C.

Abstract: An integrated device for screening swallowing safety and swallowing efficiency can (i) receive first vibrational data for a first set of swallowing events executed successively by a first individual, (ii) compare at least a portion of the first vibrational data and/or at least a portion of second vibrational data derived from the first vibrational data against preset classification criteria defined for each of swallowing safety and swallowing efficiency, (iii) assign a swallowing safety probability and a swallowing efficiency probability to each of the first plurality of swallowing events, (iv) determine a swallowing safety classification based at least partially on the swallowing safety probability of each of the first plurality of swallowing events and (v) determine a swallowing efficiency classification based at least partially on the swallowing efficiency probability of each of the first plurality of swallowing events.

Abstract: A thickening powder promotes safe swallowing of a nutritional product by an individual with dysphagia and can be used in methods of treating dysphagia, promoting safe swallowing of a nutritional product, and mitigating a risk of aspiration during swallowing of a nutritional product. The powder contains beta-glucan and at least one carrier ingredient in an amount that is neutral toward or enhances the extensional properties of the nutritional product. The at least one carrier ingredient can be one or more of maltodextrin, isomaltulose, sucrose or lactose. The powder can be diluted in a diluent to form an aqueous solution that is at least a portion of a nutritional product and to improve the cohesiveness of the nutritional product.

Abstract: A liquid concentrate formulated for dilution into a nutritional product is disclosed, as well as the resultant nutritional product, uses thereof, methods for the manufacture thereof, and methods for improving the cohesiveness of the nutritional product. The nutritional products have improved cohesiveness for promoting safer swallowing of food boluses for individuals having swallowing difficulties such as dysphagia. In a preferred embodiment, the nutritional product is prepared by diluting a liquid concentrate of one or more of a beta-glucan, a plant-extracted gum such as okra gum, or a plant-derived mucilage. Preferably, the resultant nutritional product has a shear viscosity greater than 200 mPas and up to about 2,000 mPas, preferably greater than 200 mPas and up to about 500 mPas, more preferably 250 mPas to about 450 mPas, most preferably 250 mPas to about 400 mPas, when measured at a shear rate of 50 s?1 at a temperature of 20° C.

Abstract: A system can automatically adjust flow rates/feeding regimen of a feeding pump feeding fluids/enteral nutrition to a patient. The system can, based upon a prescribed volume of nutrition or nutritional targets (such as and not limited to energy (calories), protein etc.) to be delivered and a prescribed delivery duration, adjust the pump flow rate/feeding regimen following unexpected delivery interruptions to achieve at or near to the prescribed total volume/nutritional targets to be delivered, despite the interruptions.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The present invention provides nutritional compositions, preferably printed, comprising at least one nutrient for which a deficiency in nutrient intake and/or nutrient status in a subject was detected. Such nutritional composition is comprised by an administration unit, and the nutrient is present at an amount corresponding to the difference between the target value and actual value of the nutrient intake and/or status in the subject. The invention further provides medical uses of such printed nutritional compositions, e.g. in the treatment or prophylaxis of malnutrition. The invention also provides administration units comprising such the nutritional compositions, as well as a system and method for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an infusion pump (10) having a control unit (5) and a graphical user interface (3) functionally connected to the controller (5), wherein the control unit (5) is designed to receive at least two sensor signals (S1,S2) out of the following group of sensors: cassette presence sensor, door sensor, pressure sensor, air presence sensor, motor sensor, flow rate sensor, wherein the control unit (5) is designed to detect an error state based on the analysis of the at least two supplied sensor signals (S1,S2), wherein the control unit (5) is designed to associate a degree of severity out of at least two degrees of severities (A1,A3) based on the processing of the supplied sensor signals (S1,S2), and wherein the control unit (5) is designed to control a color of the display (1) of the graphical user interface (3) to be displayed, wherein a different color is associated with each degree of severity (A1,A3) as well as with a non-error state (A0).

Abstract: A system can automatically adjust flow rates/feeding regimen of a feeding pump feeding fluids/enteral nutrition to a patient. The system can, based upon a prescribed volume of nutrition or nutritional targets (such as and not limited to energy (calories), protein etc.) to be delivered and a prescribed delivery duration, adjust the pump flow rate/feeding regimen following unexpected delivery interruptions to achieve at or near to the prescribed total volume/nutritional targets to be delivered, despite the interruptions.

Abstract: A flow set comprises one-way valves and enables the sequential administration of two fluids from a pair of containers to a patient. The predetermined cracking (threshold) pressure of the one-way valves, namely an inlet pressure at which the first indication of flow occurs,can be individually set at predetermined values to minimize and/or prevent free-flow of the two fluids. A connecting tube segment is part of both the flow path of the first fluid and the flow path of the second fluid, and a pump can be connected to the connecting tubing segment. By reversing the pumping direction of the pump, the two fluids may be sequentially drawn from the pair of containers and thus sequentially administered to a patient.

Abstract: A system can sequentially administer two fluids from a pair of containers (101, 102) to a patient. The system can have a delivery device (11) integrating two valve assemblies into a single device, and preferably each of the valve 102 assemblies has two one-way valves and a pump communication port (124, 125). For example, the valve assemblies may share one or more walls and/or one or more chambers with each other. Preferably the only exits from the housing are attached to input tubing, output tubing, and connections to the pump. Preferably the system uses a single pump (12). By reversing the pumping direction of the pump, liquid may be sequentially drawn from one container or the other. The valve assemblies can use slit valves (13d) to prevent free-flow of the fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides nutritional compositions, preferably printed, comprising at least one nutrient for which a deficiency in nutrient intake and/or nutrient status in a subject was detected. Such nutritional composition is comprised by an administration unit, and the nutrient is present at an amount corresponding to the difference between the target value and actual value of the nutrient intake and/or status in the subject. The invention further provides medical uses of such printed nutritional compositions, e.g. in the treatment or prophylaxis of malnutrition. The invention also provides administration units comprising such the nutritional compositions, as well as a system and method for producing the same.

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.