Measurement of swallowing using flexible polymer sensor

Abstract

We proposed a new method to measure swallowing in this study. A flexible polymer sensor was used to measure human swallowing. Electromyogram (EMG) of suprahyoid muscles were measured as a reference of swallowing. We also developed a measurement system for the flexible polymer sensor, which consists of two measurement circuits; the 1(st) one measures the voltage of flexible polymer sensor, and the 2(nd) one EMG of suprahyoid muscles. We conducted measurement experiments focused on human swallowing to confirm the ability of this sensor. At the experiment one subject was asked to sit in three different postures and to drink a cup of water. Results show that human swallowing can be detected by this flexible polymer sensor.

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“…Along with sEMG, orthogonal modalities of sensing such as sound, pressure, bioimpedance, and strain recordings are also used to correlate mechanical motion with muscle activation. [ 38–46 ] Specifically, epidermal strain gauges placed on the submental region can detect the movement of the swallowing structures during a swallow. For example, Kim et al.…”

“…Along with sEMG, orthogonal modalities of sensing such as sound, pressure, bioimpedance, and strain recordings are also used to correlate mechanical motion with muscle activation. [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] Specifically, epidermal strain gauges placed on the submental region can detect the movement of the swallowing structures during a swallow. For example, Kim et al developed a gold filmbased sEMG electrodes as well as a commercial piezoresistive strain gauge printed on a conductive adhesive epoxy for detection of laryngeal motion.…”