Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for treating dysphagia related to neurological disease, and promoting deglutition. The apparatus includes a tube with inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of a standard nasogastric/enteric tube, and can be advanced over the standard nasogastric/enteric tube platform through the oropharynx and esophagus into the stomach. The apparatus sequentially stimulates muscles involved in deglutition (swallowing) to monitor and promote recovery from dysphagia. Another iteration uses a long sleeve placed circumferentially around the standard nasogastric/enteric tube. The sleeve can be inflated in the proximal portion using a bolus of air or another solution and the bolus can move down the sleeve propelled by contraction of oropharyngeal and esophageal muscles with segmentation ensured by valves or adhesions at regular intervals.

Abstract: A vice jaw assembly includes a unitary body that has a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The top side has an elongated channel therein spaced from the front side and the rear side and defined by a bottom wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The bottom wall has a plurality of first wells extending therein each engageable with a male coupler. The bottom wall has a plurality of second wells extending therein each engageable with a male coupler. Each of the second wells is centered within one of a plurality of annular depressions. Each of the annular depressions extends into the bottom wall and has a circular shape. The annular depressions each extend into the first lateral wall such that the lateral wall includes a plurality of semi-cylindrical grooves therein.

Abstract: A vice jaw assembly includes a unitary body that has a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The top side has an elongated channel therein spaced from the front side and the rear side and defined by a bottom wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The bottom wall has a plurality of first wells extending therein each engageable with a male coupler. The bottom wall has a plurality of second wells extending therein each engageable with a male coupler. Each of the second wells is centered within one of a plurality of annular depressions. Each of the annular depressions extends into the bottom wall and has a circular shape. The annular depressions each extend into the first lateral wall such that the lateral wall includes a plurality of semi-cylindrical grooves therein.