Neck Electrical Impedance for Measurement of Swallowing

Abstract

Recently videofluorography has been used for evaluation of swallowing function in rehabilitation field. But it is not easy to evaluate swallowing disorder simply. And it has problems of exposure for daily use. We have proposed a measurement method of swallowing using bioelectrical impedance method (Impedance Pharyngography, IPG) which has advantages of easy handle and non-invasive measurement. Appropriate electrode positions have been determined. The waveforms of IPG can be obtained with some extent reproducibility. The change of neck electrical impedance in pharyngeal phase is mainly caused by the changes of equivalent cross sectional area of near epiglottis. The possibilities of applications for clinical diagnosis have been shown.