What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a medical condition that causes a person to have problems swallowing. An estimated 15 million people in the United States suffer from dysphagia - 250 million around the world are currently afflicted. The occurrence of dysphagia is growing at 5% annually.

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Dysphagia Electrodes

ELI Premium Ag+ Preference

  • Extremely low impedance
  • Total surface dispersion
  • FDA 510(K) cleared for use on the anterior of the neck**
  • Latex safe
  • ISO Certified
  • Highest quality materials and construction
  • Compatible with current stimulation units
  • More easily focused on target muscle groups
  • Reusable
  • Made in the USA!

Why eSwallow?


eSwallow ELI Protocol:


Impedance

Why is Low Impedance important in the treatment of Dysphasia with N.M.E.S.?

Impedance equals resistance. In order for the muscles to be stimulated by the current generated from the e-Stim Unit, the electrodes must be able to maintain low impedance levels throughout the treatment session. eSWALLOW ELI electrodes are able to maintain extremely low impedance of (~ 50 Ohms).

  • Impedance of 50 Ohms or less is outstanding, 100 Ohms is OK, 150 Ohms or greater is poor and the electrode should be replaced
  • When current encounters resistance, or high impedance, it will try to find a path around this obstacle
  • In a poor quality or old electrode, the path of least resistance will be the spots on the electrode with the lower resistance than the surrounding surface
  • These so-called "hot spots" become the main conduit for the current
  • There will be very high density current flowing through these spots causing extreme discomfort to the patient
  • High impedance levels of the electrodes may also cause the current to stray in unpredictable patterns from the intended targeted anatomy
  • High impedance may also prevent the current from adequately penetrating to structures located at some distance from the surface of the skin, such as the pharyngeal constrictors, the base of the tongue and the motor nerves.

Carbon versus Silver-Carbon Electrodes

Carbon electrodes , like those produced by the competitors, have higher impedance versus Silver-Carbon electrodes. (Undesirable)

The eSWALLOW ELI electrode is manufactured with 1 layer of carbon, 1 layer of pure silver and 1 layer of highly conductive gel. This construction delivers a 48% increase in conductivity and a 34.3% reduction in impedance

Comparative Studies

A third party study was conducted to compare impedance levels of eSWALLOW ELI 0.8"electrodes to competitor's electrodes 0.8"and 1"

Methodology: Electrodes were attached to eSWALLOW ELI stimulator and exposed to current flow into a standard resistor. Resistance to current flow (impedance) was measured.

Electrode Type
Average Impedance
Competitor's electrode (0.80")
222.684 Ohms
Competitor's electrode (1")
121.263 Ohms
eSWALLOW ELI electrode (0.80")
41.631 Ohms

Impedance was 5 times greater with competitor's electrodes 0.80" size versus eSWALLOW ELI electrodes

  • The average impedance of competitor's electrodes 0.80" size was 223
  • Ohms - well above the standard of 50 Ohms
  • The average impedance of eSWALLOW ELI Electrodes was 42 Ohms
  • Two sizes of competitor's electrodes (0.80" and 1") were compared to each other
  • Impedance was almost double with the 0.80" versus 1"
  • The reduction in size was not offset by an increase in quality of the components (as it is with the ELI electrode) " Current density in a smaller electrode is much higher and requires better quality construction