Balloon sensors for the manometric recording of the pharyngoesophageal tract: an experimental study.

The goal of our study was to investigate manometric balloon sensors of original conception in order to overcome the limitations of perfused and solid-state sensors in the assessment of the pharyngoesophageal motility abnormalities. A standard perfused probe for esophageal manometry was modified by applying fluid-filled floppy balloons 0.5-, 1-, and 2.5-cm long. The balloon sensor probe was tested at the bench with regard to the response to the applied pressures, the frequency-response curve, and the behavior during propagation of the peristaltic waves in an esophageal model. The physical properties of the balloon sensors proved to be adequate for pharyngoesophageal motility studies. The static response of the balloon probe to the applied pressures was linear. For the frequency-response curve, the upper cutoff frequency (A=1/square root of 2) was 23 Hz, resonance frequency was 16 Hz, and resonance amplification was 1.6. No statistically significant differences were observed between balloon sensors of different length with regard to amplitude and duration of recorded peristaltic waves (p>0.05). In conclusion, the balloon probe has the physical and technical characteristics required for the study of swallowing disorders.