A method for at least one of characterizing, diagnosing, and treating a condition associated with microbiome taxonomic features in at least a subject, the method comprising: receiving an aggregate set of biological samples from a population of subjects; generating at least one of a microbiome composition dataset and a microbiome functional diversity dataset for the population of subjects; generating a characterization of the condition based upon features extracted from at least one of the microbiome composition dataset and the microbiome functional diversity dataset; based upon the characterization, generating a therapy model configured to correct the condition; and at an output device associated with the subject, promoting a therapy to the subject based upon the characterization and the therapy model.

A method for at least one of characterizing, diagnosing, and treating a condition associated with microbiome taxonomic features in at least a subject, the method comprising: receiving an aggregate set of biological samples from a population of subjects; generating at least one of a microbiome composition dataset and a microbiome functional diversity dataset for the population of subjects; generating a characterization of the condition based upon features extracted from at least one of the microbiome composition dataset and the microbiome functional diversity dataset; based upon the characterization, generating a therapy model configured to correct the condition; and at an output device associated with the subject, promoting a therapy to the subject based upon the characterization and the therapy model.

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.

A mucosal impedance measuring system that is capable of direct and accurate impedance measurements of esophageal mucosa includes example multi-channel intraluminal impedance catheters with inflatable and deflatable components for positioning the impedance sensor electrodes in direct contact with the esophageal mucosa on the inside surface of the esophagus. Impedance measurements from multiple locations in the esophagus are processed for indications of mucosal damage that are indicative of damage due to gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and Barrett's esophagus.

A system is described herein for evacuating gas as it is leaking from a patient's airway. The system comprises a gas evacuation flowpath configured for collecting a gas flow escaping from the patient when inserted into the patient's airway. A vacuum source is connected to the gas evacuation flowpath. Devices that may be employed as part of the system and a method for evacuating gas from a patient are also described.

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.

A method of diagnosing in a subject for the purpose of determining if the subject's gastrointestinal contents has entered the subject's respiratory tract. The qualitative analysis can be also expanded into quantitative analysis, enabling the estimation of either the concentration, or the amount, or both, of the gastrointestinal contents that entered the respiratory tract. The invention also provides methods of treatment based on the identification of aspiration using the methods of the invention.

A catheter includes a distal distension balloon and circumferentially arranged motility measurement balloons proximal of the distension balloon. A manifold includes balloon ports each configured to fluidly couple to a motility measurement balloon, pressure transducer ports, and a priming port. A port selector is coupled to the manifold and movable between different positions. Each port selector position causes the manifold to establish different fluidic couplings between the respective motility balloon, pressure transducer, and priming ports. A pressure sensing device includes pressure transducers each fluidly coupled to one of the pressure transducer ports. The pressure sensing device is configured to coordinate calibration of the pressure transducers at atmospheric pressure with the port selector in a first position and motility balloon pressure measurements with the port selector in a third position. Priming of the motility measurement balloons is implemented by moving the port selector to a second position.

A method for diagnosing gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), comprising: introducing an endoscope into a stomach of a subject; measuring a pressure in the stomach while supplying gas into the stomach using the endoscope; and determining whether the subject has GERD or not based on a maximum value of the pressure and a wave pattern of a value of the pressure.

A method of detecting and measuring the condition of intraluminal esophageal mucosa. An esophagus is intubated with a catheter including an inflatable and deflatable balloon and one or more impedance sensing electrodes on an exterior surface of the catheter. The balloon is inflated to press the impedance sensing electrode(s) into a mucosa of the interior esophageal wall. An electric current is directed through the mucosa via the impedance sensing electrode(s) while the impedance sensing electrode(s) is/are pressed by the balloon against the mucosa and measure impedance of the mucosa.