Measurement system for swallowing based on impedance pharyngography and swallowing sound

Swallowing disorders robs persons of pleasure of eating. The quality of life (QOL) of patients falls much. We propose simultaneous measurement, impedance pharyngography (IPG) and swallowing sound for evaluations of swallowing. IPG is based on neck electrical impedance, which is influenced by cross sectional area of near epiglottis. There was a problem in that the changes of IPG did not match pharyngeal phase in some patients or the aged. The swallowing sound was measured with a microphone attached to the neck. The components of frequency higher than 30 Hz in swallowing sound were caused by bolus passing through pharynx. The swallowing sound phase matched pharyngeal phase and reflected characteristics of bolus thereafore enable the measurement of swallowing. The method can be applied for diagnosis of swallowing disorders