Western researchers have developed a novel technique, Swallowing Air-Pulse Therapy (SWAPT) and an associated device Swallowing Air-Pulse Therapy System (SWAPTS).

Key Words: Swallowing disorders, dysphagia, stroke rehabilitation, head & neck cancer 

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION: Western researchers have developed a novel technique, Swallowing Air-Pulse Therapy (SWAPT) and an associated device Swallowing Air-Pulse Therapy System (SWAPTS). The technique involves directing computer-controlled trains of discrete air pulses to the posterior part of the mouth, near the tonsil. This “peritonsillar” region is known to be an important anatomic site for evoking swallowing based on evidence from animal and human studies.

BACKGROUND: Swallowing impairment, or dysphagia, is a devastating condition that occurs due to disease or damage to the neural or structural systems that give rise to swallowing. Dysphagia compounds major health problems by substantially increasing a patient’s risk of pneumonia, malnutrition, prolonged hospitalization, and death, resulting in tremendous personal suffering and health care costs. Dysphagia affects 17 million North Americans of all ages and most common among the elderly. Its prevalence is expected to increase dramatically as the population ages over the next three decades.

In spite of the significant burden of dysphagia, and although sophisticated diagnostic methods have been developed, effective swallowing therapies are lacking. Indeed, swallowing management in most hospitals is limited to diet modification and exercises.

POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES/USES: SWAPT could be used for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes and presents a number of advantages over the existing treatments:

• Can evoke an irrepressible urge to swallow followed by an overt swallow.
• Does not require the patient to follow instructions or produce any movements of the mouth.
• A portable SWAPT device will provide easy use by patients, and elderly adults at home
• The SWAPT system will include a visual feedback display allowing the patient to “see” the movement of
• his/her larynx during swallowing. This will allow patients to monitor their progress.
• Greater patient safety and comfort, use in patients for whom electrical stimulation is contraindicated (e.g. pacemaker, heart conditions).
• Relatively un-invasive compared to existing procedures

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE: Proof-of-Principle, clinical trial

Ref. #s: UWO-AF-027; UWO-AH-001

* This technology has been developed with support from Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)

Preclinical

US full patent and PCT applications filed

This technology is available for outlicensing - a collaborative research approach is welcome