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Technology Transfer Program
Please Note: The technology listed below is not available to the public at this time. This technology is in the early stage of research and requires further development before it is ready for the marketplace. The VA is currently in the process of identifying potential companies who may be interested in licensing and/or further developing the technology through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA). Through cooperative research initiatives such as these, it is our hope and goal that commercial products will be fully developed and made available to benefit veterans and others.
VA TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITY BRIEF
Computer Program to Quantify Pharyngeal Residue after Swallowing
TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION
The VA has developed a software program that compares digital videofluorographic (X-ray) images of the head and neck before and after a swallow to determine the quantity of food not swallowed.
This novel technology is a method and apparatus using a software program that quantifies pharyngeal residue, thereby enhancing the primary method for swallow imaging, called the videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or the modified barium swallow. The computer program compares digital videofluorographic (X-ray) images of the neck before and after a swallow to quantify pharyngeal residue. A clinical study is currently underway to determine the validity and reliability the software program.
This technology has potential research application in the study of dysphagia, as well as potential clinical application in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with swallowing difficulties. The method and apparatus could be marketed as a stand alone image analysis package for use in swallow studies performed on general fluoroscopy systems used for imaging various body parts and organs. Alternatively, the technology could be marketed as a component of a digital imaging system designed specifically for swallow studies.
BENEFITS
Important diagnostic/treatment implications
- Enables researchers and practitioners to quantify pharyngeal residue with an image of physiological features and without ingestion of radioactive material
- It currently is not known how much pharyngeal residue, or the location of residue, that places a patient at risk for pulmonary complications or aspiration pneumonia
Results - Enables standardization of dysphagia testing, allowing clinicians the ability to make pre and post digital subtracting treatment comparisons to assess treatment efficacy
Applications
- Can be marketed alone for use with general fluoroscopy systems or as a component of a digital imaging system designed for swallowing studies
Results - Can be further developed by manufacturers of imaging and/or fluoroscopy systems, and image analysis software
Significant market
- Dysphagia is associated with many conditions, such as stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cervical spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, head and neck cancer, and aging
- Commercially available imaging systems lack the capability to measure pharyngeal residue quantitatively. An accurate method of measuring the amount of food bolus not passed during swallowing would be beneficial to many researchers and practitioners and expand the market that currently exists for swallow imaging
Results - New product development opportunity
IP STATUS:
U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application 11/153,907 filed 06/16/05
U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/580,382 filed 06/18/04
Federal Register notice published 12/23/04 (Vol. 69, No. 246) pg. 76977
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Saleem Sheredos
Program Manager
Technology Transfer Program
Veterans Affairs
Office of Research & Development (12TT)
5th Floor
103 South Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
202-380-5080
Fax 410.962.2141
e-mail: saleem.sheredos@va.gov
Last Updated - May 31, 2006