Thixotropic swallow challenge medium

Abstract

A swallow challenge medium is thixotropic for easy swallowing and to provide enough viscosity for effective challenge to peristalsis and has high ionic density for effective impedance measurements by contact with electrodes positioned in a person's esophagus or oropharynx during swallow testing. The medium also has a high surface tension so as not to adhere to or coat the electrodes or probe surfaces. These physical characteristics are stabilized and consistent enough to provide standard for esophageal and/or oropharyngeal function testing and diagnostics.

1 . A swallow challenge medium comprising a thixotropic material having a low shear viscosity in a range of 391,000 to 529,000 centipoises, a medium shear viscosity in a range of 76,500 to 103,500 centipoises, and a high shear viscosity in a range of 11,475 to 15,525 centipoises. 
   
   
       2 . The swallow challenge material of  claim 1 , wherein the material also has conductivity in a range of 4.8 to 6.6 mS/cm. 
   
   
       3 . The swallow challenge material of  claim 1 , wherein the material also has impedance in a range of 340 to 460 ohms. 
   
   
       4 . The swallow challenge material of  claim 1 , wherein the material also has pH in a range of 3.8 to 5.2.