A method can use dual-axis accelerometry signals obtained during a time period to classify segments of the time period as a cough or as a non-cough artifact (e.g., a rest state, a swallow, a tongue movement, or speech). The method can include representing segments of the dual-axis accelerometry signals as meta-features for each segment of the time period, preferably one or more time features, frequency features, time-frequency features, or information-theoretic features for each segment. The salient meta-features can be used to classify the segments as a cough or a non-cough artifact. Preferably a processing module operatively connected to the sensor performs the processing of the dual-axis accelerometry signals and also automatically classifies the segments. The method and/or the device can be used to diagnose or treat a dysphagia patient, for example by discriminating a cough from a swallow.

Apparatus and methods are directed to virtually verifying authenticity of medical information transmitted from at least one unvalidated communication device associated with a patient being monitored by at least on validated medical device. In an illustrative example, medical information related to patient data may be transmitted through a network for storage in a central database from one or more validated medical devices and one or more unvalidated personal communication devices. The transmitted information may include unique identifiers that enables the patient data to be verified and collated across the validated and unvalidated devices and assigned to a specific data record for a given patient or group of patients.

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.

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.

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.

According to one aspect, an implantable medical device may include an anchor assembly configured to anchor the medical device to a body lumen. The implantable medical device may also include a capsule. The capsule may include a pH sensor. The pH sensor may be configured to measure a pH of contents within the body lumen. The capsule may also include a power source, a controller, and an impedance sensor. The impedance sensor may be configured to measure an impedance within the body lumen.

A system and method for profiling electrical activity in smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract muscular of a patient are disclosed. The system includes electromyographic-sensing patches adapted for placement on the skin of the abdomen of the patient. Each patch has at least one bipolar electrode pair, or a multitude arranged in an array, and is enabled for communication of a signal indicative of a sensed electromyographic signal. The system further includes networked computing devices. The local patch device is configured for wireless communication between the EMG-sensing patches and a local computing device, to enable wireless transmission from the patch to the networked computing devices. The networked computing device is configured to process large aggregate collections of multi-hour or day signals received from the local computing device to yield diagnostically valuable physiological parameters of gastrointestinal smooth muscle electrical activity.

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.

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).

Methods and systems for monitoring, preventing and/or treating upper airway disorders such as apnea, dysphagia, reflux and/or snoring are described. The methods and systems monitor the upper airway disorders by processing one or more neural signals obtained from one or more upper airway afferents. Upper airway disorders are prevented and/or treated by delivering one or more stimulations to one or more reflex-related afferents, efferents, muscles, and sensory receptors to manipulate the threshold and/or trigger an upper airway reflex including, but not limited to a swallow reflex and/or a negative-pressure reflex.