Patent ID: 8092433
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A therapeutic device for assisting recovery from dysphagia by treatment at periodic predetermined intervals with electrical pharyngeal stimulation to stimulate the swallow centers, comprising: a catheter suitable for insertion into the body of a patient through the nose or mouth, including a tube having an aperture located proximate to a distal end for the introduction of nutrients to the stomach of said patient; a single pair of electrodes located on a surface of the catheter, the electrodes being located on the device such that when the catheter is inserted into a patient through the nose or mouth, and the distal end of the catheter is positioned in the stomach of the patient, the electrodes are in a suitable position for applying electrical pharyngeal stimulation to an intra-luminal surface of the patient's pharynx, an impedance measuring unit for determining when said electrodes are in good electrical contact with, and suitable for applying electrical pharyngeal stimulation to, the intra-luminal surface of the patient's pharynx, and an indicator in the form of a visible marker configured to provide an operator with confirmation that the single pair of electrodes is in a suitable position in respect to the intra-luminal surface of the patient's pharynx prior to applying electrical pharyngeal stimulation.