Dysphagia is present in up to 80% of patients with neurological disorders, up to 92% of patients with community acquired pneumonia and in 20% of the adult population. Management of dysphagia is pathophysiologically specific; however systematic evaluation of efficacy of new approaches is problematic in human participants due to imposed risk and heterogeneity of presentation.
This research will develop a robotic swallowing instrument to mimic in-vitro neuromuscular functions in the pharynx and oesophagus and bolus-organ interaction, in a biologically faithful manner. By the use of the robot in reproducing both normal and abnormal patterns of motility, with specific and modifiable characteristics of pressure peristalsis (frequency, amplitude, sequence of muscle contractions), greater understanding can be gained of pathophysiologic features of swallowing and how these deficits can be modified. This may provide a safe means of evaluating management approaches, with a food bolus present, prior to experimental translation to a vulnerable patient population. The robot will replicate three key organs of swallowing: pharynx, epiglottis and oesophagus, and their neuromuscular functions. This
project will expand upon our prior development of an oesophageal robot for which we hold a patent. This development has allowed assessment of dietary modifications to facilitate oesophageal motility.
Undergraduate
a robotic pharynx involving both actuation and sesning
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Mechatronics PG + Dynamics and Control Lab (201.562, Lab)