Patent Document ID: 20050283064
Application ID: 11153907
Patent Status: 0

Claim One:
1. A method for quantifying pharyngeal residue and aspiration of a patient comprising the steps of: x-ray imaging the head and neck of the patient to produce a baseline image; applying an initial volume of x-ray opaque solution to a patient by mouth; x-ray imaging the head and neck of the patient having received the solution before swallowing to produce a second image; x-ray imaging the head and neck of the patient after swallowing to produce a third image; and calculating a ratio of the pharyngeal residue volume to the initial volume to determine the proportion of the swallowed bolus that remained in pharyngeal recesses of the patent; calculating a ratio of the volume of material entering the trachea to the initial volume to determine the proportion of the swallowed bolus that has been aspirated; if the volume of the initial bolus is known, calculating the actual volumes of the pharyngeal residue and aspiration.