Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for assessing swallowing motor function in a subject. The methods rely on obtaining intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements from the pharynx and/or esophagus of the subject during clearance of a bolus from the mouth and/or throat of the subject. The intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements are combined to derive a value for one or more pressure-flow variables in the pharynx and/or the esophagus of the subject. The value of the one or more pressure-flow variables is compared to a predetermined pharyngeal and/or esophageal reference value for the one or more pressure-flow variables in order to provide an assessment of swallowing motor function in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for assessing swallowing motor function in a subject. The methods rely on obtaining intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements from the pharynx and/or esophagus of the subject during clearance of a bolus from the mouth and/or throat of the subject. The intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements are combined to derive a value for one or more pressure-flow variables in the pharynx and/or the esophagus of the subject. The value of the one or more pressure-flow variables is compared to a predetermined pharyngeal and/or esophageal reference value for the one or more pressure-flow variables in order to provide an assessment of swallowing motor function in the subject.

Abstract: Tools, methods and apparatus are provided that may be used to identify ineffective swallowing in the subject, including ineffective swallowing due to an obstruction, and may further be used to determine risk of aspiration in the subject. In one aspect, a method includes accessing intraluminal impedance measurements and pressure measurements obtained from the pharynx and/or esophagus of a subject during clearance of a bolus from the mouth and/or throat of the subject. The method further includes combining and analyzing the intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements to derive a value for one or more pressure-flow variables in the pharynx and/or esophagus on the subject. The swallowing motor function in the subject is assessed by comparing the value of the pressure-flow variables with a predetermined pharyngeal and/or esophageal reference value for the one or more pressure-flow variables.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for assessing swallowing motor function in a subject. The methods rely on obtaining intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements from the pharynx and/or esophagus of the subject during clearance of a bolus from the mouth and/or throat of the subject. The intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements are combined to derive a value for one or more pressure-flow variables in the pharynx and/or esophagus of the subject. The value of the one or more pressure-flow variables is compared to a predetermined pharyngeal and/or esophageal reference value for the one or more pressure-flow variables in order to provide an assessment of swallowing motor function in the subject. The intraluminal impedance and pressure measurements can also be combined to generate a swallow risk index for the subject or to generate an obstructive risk index for the subject based on a combination of a value of more than one pressure-flow variable in the pharynx and/or esophagus of the subject.