A method (100) and system (1) for diagnosing reflux disease in an individual (3). The method (100) comprises: administering (110) an oral dose (17) of tracer in to the individual; capturing (120), with a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanner (5), data representative of multiple image frames (21) of the individual in areas of interest (23) that include the pharynx (25) and oesophagus (27), wherein the data representative of multiple image frames (21) are captured over time after administration of the oral dose; and determining (130) one or more trend(s) in tracer activity over time in the areas of interest (23) based on the data representative of multiple image frames (21), wherein the trend(s) in tracer activity over time is indicative of a reflux disease.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to diagnostic device and system including a proximal balloon disposed along a length of a catheter and a distal balloon disposed at a distal end of the catheter, with at least one camera disposed at the distal balloon and a pH sensor deployable via inflation of the proximal balloon and configured to engage a patient's esophagus wall to attach the pH sensor to the patient's esophagus wall. In an illustrative example, the pH sensor may be releasably retained to the catheter adjacent to the proximal balloon. The pH sensor may include a tissue engaging feature configured to engage a patient's esophagus wall to attach the pH sensor to the patient's esophagus wall. The diagnostic device may improve upon existing processes by providing a single device to perform a multi-purpose diagnostic procedure.

Methods and apparatus for guiding medical care based on sensor data from the gastrointestinal tract are described utilizing an apparatus which can be used with enteral feeding. Generally, the apparatus includes an elongated body having a length configured for insertion into a stomach and at least one pair of electrodes located along the length of the elongated body and positionable for placement within the stomach. A controller in electrical communication with the at least one pair of electrodes is included and the control may also be configured to measure a conductivity or impedance between the pair of electrodes and to determine a gastric residual volume of the stomach based on the measured conductivity or impedance.

Systems and techniques can prevent reflux induced laryngospasm and the pathologies resulting therefrom, including (but not limited to) sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

A method for diagnosing motility disorders of a gastrointestinal tract of a body. The method can include measuring electrical signals from the gastrointestinal tract while the patient is engaged in normal daily activities, recording the measured electrical signals on a portable electronic device carried by the body, recording by the patient in real time one or more symptoms of the body and analyzing characteristics of the recorded electrical signals with the recorded symptoms of the body to diagnosis gastrointestinal disorders of the body. Apparatus for use therewith and methods for treatment thereof are provided.

Methods and apparatus for guiding medical care based on sensor data from the gastrointestinal tract are described utilizing an apparatus which can be used with enteral feeding. Generally, the apparatus includes an elongated body having a length configured for insertion into a stomach and at least one pair of electrodes located along the length of the elongated body and positionable for placement within the stomach. A controller in electrical communication with the at least one pair of electrodes is included and the control may also be configured to measure a conductivity or impedance between the pair of electrodes and to determine a gastric residual volume of the stomach based on the measured conductivity or impedance.

Systems and techniques can prevent reflux induced laryngospasm and the pathologies resulting therefrom, including (but not limited to) sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Disclosed are catheter systems and methods of using the catheter system to acquire mucosal impedance data of a patient. Also disclosed are methods of classifying or otherwise identifying esophageal conditions in a subject based on mucosal impedance data acquired using a catheter system. Unlike conventions systems that require subjective input from a physician to render a diagnosis, the systems and methods described herein can utilize the mucosal impedance measurements to generate a probability that the subject's esophagus corresponds to an esophageal condition or a set of esophageal conditions. In one embodiment, a classification model is used to generate the probability. The classification model may generate the probability based at least in part on a change in the mucosal impedance measurements between a distal location and a proximal location on the subject's esophagus.

A method of cough detection in a headset, the method comprising: receiving a first signal from an external transducer of the headset; receiving a second signal from an in-ear transducer of the headset; and detecting a cough of a user of the headset based on the first and second signals.

A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient, at least one elastic esophageal body, positioned along the naso/orogastric tube, having a pressure dependent volume, at least one esophageal sensor that detects fluid around at least one segment of the naso/orogastric tube, and a pressure regulator that regulates a pressure within the elastic esophageal body according to the detection.