Dysphagia Study Using Novel Microphone Device

Difficulty swallowing is a very common laryngeal problem affecting many individuals. This study aims to optimize and validate a device to detect dysphagia without invasive procedures. This is an investigational nanomembrane patch, which is a thin film, that will be attached to the subject's chin to check the activity of their muscles. The patch is designed to determine the movement of their muscles and acoustics while swallowing.

This is a prospective cohort study. Dysphagic individuals with stroke visiting Emory University Hospital and Emory Midtown hospital will be asked to participate in the study. Individuals above the age of 40 years will be recruited. The study will be explained in detail to the individuals. After which a written signed consent will be obtained by research personnel before performing any research procedure. The biopatch will be placed and calibrated in dysphagic individuals at the time of performing a barium swallowing test. The collected medical (dysphagia questionnaire) data and demographic data will be collected and saved in Emory REDCap.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis or suspected stroke
• Stroke with additional neurological disorders
• Age between 40 and 85
• Male and Female
• Scheduled to VFSS due to suspected dysphagia, which is determined by bedside water swallowing test and EAT-10 questionnaire as a standard of care.

Exclusion criteria

• BMI>35 as an exclusion criteria to recruit participants due to limited transmission of acoustics through increased subcutaneous fat.
• Head and neck cancer treatment history