A statistical analysis of cervical auscultation signals from adults with unsafe airway protection

Background: Aspiration, where food or liquid is allowed to enter the larynx during a swallow, is recognized as the most clinically salient feature of oropharyngeal dysphagia. This event can lead to short-term harm via airway obstruction or more long-term effects such as pneumonia. In order to non-invasively identify this event using high resolution cervical auscultation there is a need to characterize cervical auscultation signals from subjects with dysphagia who aspirate. Methods: In this study, we collected swallowing sound and vibration data from 76 adults (50 men, 26 women, mean age 62) who underwent a routine videofluoroscopy swallowing examination. The analysis was limited to swallows of liquid with either thin (<5 cps) or viscous (≈300 cps) consistency and was divided into those with deep laryngeal penetration or aspiration (unsafe airway protection), and those with either shallow or no laryngeal penetration (safe airway protection), using a standardized scale. After calculating a selection of time, frequency, and time-frequency features for each swallow, the safe and unsafe categories were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum statistical tests. Results: Our analysis found that few of our chosen features varied in magnitude between safe and unsafe swallows with thin swallows demonstrating no statistical variation. We also supported our past findings with regard to the effects of sex and the presence or absence of stroke on cervical ausculation signals, but noticed certain discrepancies with regards to bolus viscosity. Conclusions: Overall, our results support the necessity of using multiple statistical features concurrently to identify laryngeal penetration of swallowed boluses in future work with high resolution cervical auscultation

Cervical Auscultation for the Identification of Swallowing Difficulties

Swallowing difficulties, commonly referred to as dysphagia, affect thousands of Americans every year. They have a multitude of causes, but in general they are known to increase the risk of aspiration when swallowing in addition to other physiological effects. Cervical auscultation has been recently applied to detect such difficulties non-invasively and various techniques for analysis and processing of the recorded signals have been proposed. We attempted to further this research in three key areas. First, we characterized swallows with regards to a multitude of time, frequency, and time-frequency features while paying special attention to the differences between swallows from healthy adults and safe dysphagic swallows as well as safe and unsafe dysphagic swallows. Second, we attempted to utilize deep belief networks in order to classify these states automatically and without the aid of a concurrent videofluoroscopic examination. Finally, we sought to improve some of the signal processing techniques used in this field. We both implemented the DBSCAN algorithm to better segment our physiological signals as well as applied the matched complex wavelet transform to cervical auscultation data in order to improve its quality for mathematical analysis

Prediction of larynx function using multichannel surface EMG classification

Total laryngectomy (TL) affects critical functions such as swallowing, coughing and speaking. An artificial, bioengineered larynx (ABL), operated via myoelectric signals, may improve quality of life for TL patients. To evaluate the efficacy of using surface electromyography (sEMG) as a control signal to predict instances of swallowing, coughing and speaking, sEMG was recorded from submental, intercostal and diaphragm muscles. The cohort included TL and control participants. Swallowing, coughing, speaking and movement actions were recorded, and a range of classifiers were investigated for prediction of these actions. Our algorithm achieved F1-scores of 76.0 ± 4.4 % (swallows), 93.8 ± 2.8 % (coughs) and 70.5 ± 5.4 % (speech) for controls, and 67.7 ± 4.4 % (swallows), 71.0 ± 9.1 % (coughs) and 78.0 ± 3.8 % (speech) for TLs, using a random forest (RF) classifier. 75.1 ± 6.9 % of swallows were detected within 500 ms of onset in the controls, and 63.1 ± 6.1 % in TLs. sEMG can be used to predict critical larynx movements, although a viable ABL requires improvements. Results are particularly encouraging as they encompass a TL cohort. An ABL could alleviate many challenges faced by laryngectomees. This study represents a promising step toward realising such a device

Noninvasive Dynamic Characterization of Swallowing Kinematics and Impairments in High Resolution Cervical Auscultation via Deep Learning

Swallowing is a complex sensorimotor activity by which food and liquids are transferred from the oral cavity to the stomach. Swallowing requires the coordination between multiple subsystems which makes it subject to impairment secondary to a variety of medical or surgically related conditions. Dysphagia refers to any swallowing disorder and is common in patients with head and neck cancer and neurological conditions such as stroke. Dysphagia affects nearly 9 million adults and causes death for more than 60,000 yearly in the US. In this research, we utilize advanced signal processing techniques with sensor technology and deep learning methods to develop a noninvasive and widely available tool for the evaluation and diagnosis of swallowing problems. We investigate the use of modern spectral estimation methods in addition to convolutional recurrent neural networks to demarcate and localize the important swallowing physiological events that contribute to airway protection solely based on signals collected from non-invasive sensors attached to the anterior neck. These events include the full swallowing activity, upper esophageal sphincter opening duration and maximal opening diameter, and aspiration. We believe that combining sensor technology and state of the art deep learning architectures specialized in time series analysis, will help achieve great advances for dysphagia detection and management in terms of non-invasiveness, portability, and availability. Like never before, such advances will enable patients to get continuous feedback about their swallowing out of standard clinical care setting which will extremely facilitate their daily activities and enhance the quality of their lives

The design and evaluation of a valid dysphagia screening tool for acute stroke patients

Screening acute stroke patients for dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is recommended within 24 hours due to risks of morbidity and mortality. A review of the international literature identified no universal consensus for a valid method of screening. This thesis describes a multi-method Action Research (AR) programme of study focused on the design, development and evaluation of a reliable and valid dysphagia screening tool (the ‘Head Dysphagia Screen for Stroke’ or HeDSS) for use by Registered General Nurses (RGNs). As a component of the assessment phase of the AR programme, a survey of dysphagia screening practices in England and Wales highlighted widely varied screening practices. Many of these practices were based on limited research evidence, reflecting the lack of consensus for valid dysphagia screening criteria reported in the literature. The design phase of the AR programme involved the development of the HeDSS tool, which centred on the use of research-based screening criteria. Focus group activity determined nurses’ perceptions of the design and subsequent refinement of the HeDSS tool. The intervention and evaluation phases of the AR programme followed three empirical stages. Stage one established the inter-rater reliability of the Speech and Language Therapist Researcher’s (SLTR’s) clinical dysphagia assessment, which acted as a reference standard against which the validity of the HeDSS tool was to be measured. Clinical judgements for the presence and absence of dysphagia in the same 30 referred patients were compared between the SLTR and a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) of equivalent experience. Inter-rater reliability was substantial (k = .71). The second empirical stage established inter-rater reliability of the HeDSS measurement outcomes (indicative signs of dysphagia and appropriateness of referral for SLT clinical dysphagia assessment) when employed by two RGNs compared against the SLTR when screening two samples of 20 acute stroke patients. Rater agreement was substantial (k = .71 and k = .79, for detection of signs of dysphagia and k = .79 and k = .87 for appropriateness of referral). The final empirical stage evaluated the concurrent validity of the HeDSS tool measurement outcomes when employed by a second sample of two RGNs compared with the SLTR’s clinical dysphagia assessment outcomes in a sample of 100 acute stroke patients. The HeDSS tool measurement outcomes correlated highly with the clinical dysphagia assessment outcomes (sensitivity .88 - .96 and specificity .85 - .88 for detection of dysphagia; sensitivity .90 - .96 and specificity .84 - .88 for determining patients appropriate for assessment). Correlation coefficient measures confirmed high concurrent validity for the HeDSS tool (Phi ranged between .76 - .82). This study is the first in the UK to establish a reliable and valid dysphagia screening tool for use with acute stroke patients and has significantly advanced the professional knowledge base within this domain of practice. It is recommended that a multi-centred programme of research be undertaken to replicate this study with a larger nurse and patient sample

Special propedeutics of internal diseases

ВНУТРЕННИЕ БОЛЕЗНИКУРСЫ ЛЕКЦИЙПРОПЕДЕВТИКА ВНУТРЕННИХ БОЛЕЗНЕЙГИПЕРСЕНСИБИЛИЗАЦИЯЭНДОКРИННОЙ СИСТЕМЫ БОЛЕЗНИГЕМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ БОЛЕЗНИПОЧЕК БОЛЕЗНИУРОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ БОЛЕЗНИПИЩЕВАРИТЕЛЬНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ БОЛЕЗНИДЫХАТЕЛЬНЫХ ПУТЕЙ БОЛЕЗНИКРОВООБРАЩЕНИЯ РАССТРОЙСТВАВ лекциях представлены сведения по основам клинической диагностики внутренних болезней

Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases

УЧЕБНЫЕ ПОСОБИЯДИАГНОСТИКАПИЩЕВАРИТЕЛЬНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ БОЛЕЗНИ /ДИАГНОСТИКАМОЧЕПОЛОВЫЕ БОЛЕЗНИ /ДИАГНОСТИКАГЕМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ БОЛЕЗНИ /ДИАГНОСТИКАДИАГНОСТИЧЕСКИЕ МЕТОДЫ ЭНДОКРИННЫЕДИАГНОСТИЧЕСКИЕ МЕТОДЫ ПИЩЕВАРИТЕЛЬНЫЕКОСТНО-МЫШЕЧНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ БОЛЕЗНИ /ДИАГНОСТИКАТЕРАПИЯ (ДИСЦИПЛИНА)DISEASES OF THE ENDOCRINE GLANDSDISEASES OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEMDISEASES OF THE BLOODDISEASES OF THE URINARY TRACTDISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEMINTERNAL DISEASESPROPAEDEUTICS OF INTERNAL DISEASESINTERNAL MEDICINEИНОСТРАННЫЕ СТУДЕНТЫСодержит следующие разделы: обследование пациентов с заболеваниями органов систем пищеварения, мочевыделения, крови, желез внутренней секреции и опорно-двигательного аппарата. Для студентов 2 и 3 курсов, изучающих пропедевтику внутренних болезней на английском языке. It contains the following sections: examination of patients with diseases of the digestive system, urinary tract, blood, endocrine glands and musculoskeletal system

Nursing outcome standards for polytrauma patients with traumatic brain injuries in the Mafikeng district

Thesis (MCUR)--University of stellenbosch, 2001.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In trauma the priority is given to identifying the life-threatening injuries and immediately implementing treatment (Demetriades, 1993:3). Severe trauma resuscitation and assessment often have to be carried out simultaneously to detect and treat conditions that are rapidly fatal if not attended to immediately and according to priority. Urgent priorities in trauma management include maintaining a clear and patent airway to facilitate respiration and cervical spine protection by avoiding rough manipulation of the head and neck by supporting the neck with a neck immobiliser. Any external bleeding has to be controlled by applying direct pressure to the wound. Cardiovascular problems, for example shock or myocardial infarction, respiratory problems and hypoxia which are detrimental, particularly in the case of head injury, should be excluded. A detailed head-to-toe examination which includes the head, neck, chest, abdomen, back, musculo-skeletal system, rectum and vagina has to be performed. For the head-injured patient, correct any condition, which may complicate the existing head injury, for example hypoxia, shock, pneumothorax and fractures of long bones or pelvis. Implement the A (airway), B (breathing), C (circulation), D (disability, neurological and drugs) and E (environment) for structured management of the patient. Muller's, (1996) two-phase model was utilised to formulate and validate nursing outcome standards. In phase one literature was explored to develop provisional standards on polytrauma patients with traumatic brain injuries. In phase two the provisional standards were validated by experts (doctors and nurses) in critical care, trauma and emergency nursing including nurses and a doctor working in the casualty department of a provincial hospital in Mafikeng. Final standards were formulated and adapted accordingly. Standards for the management of a polytrauma patient with traumatic brain injuries included: A safe environment for patients, nurses and doctors Primary survey in casualty department which includes the maintenance of airway, breathing, circulation, disability/ neurological, drugs and exposure The secondary survey that includes the head to toe examination, definitive orthopaedic care and stabilisation before transfer to the intensive care unit A standard on all relevant equipment which might be needed in case the patient goes into cardiac arrest on the way to the intensive care unit, was also formulated. The standard on documentation included the primary and secondary survey in the casualty department, transport to the intensive care unit, activities and the condition of the patient. The final standards dealt with the accurate handing over of the patient to the intensive care personnel. The following recommendations were made: • Implement the outcome standard by means of a quality improvement programme through a top-down approach. • Provide training: Nurses and doctors have an obligation to render quality care, therefore they have the right to be trained in emergency procedures. • All registered nurses working in the casualty or emergency departmentsshould be trained in at least Basic Life Support (CPR), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) while waiting to be sent for the trauma-nursing course. • Improve infection control measures in the casualty department • Emergency drugs must always be available. • Improve the on-call system. • Formulate a policy on sharing of the equipment by both casualty and ICU staff. • Motivate for the necessary equipment. Implement procedures for debriefing of staff, the evaluation of actions during resuscitation and implement measures for psychological support of the family. • For further research, implement and test a training programme whereby nurses can formulate their own standards. • Evaluate whether the standards have improved the quality of trauma care, and develop standards for leu nursing of the brain injured patient and the rehabilitation of polytrauma patients with traumatic brain injuries The uniqueness of the study lies in the fact that no formal outcomes standard for trauma patients with traumatic brain injuries have been developed in any of the North West Provincial hospitals.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die identifisering van lewensbedreigende beserings en die onmiddellike implementering van behandeling, is in trauma 'n eerste prioriteit (Demetriades, 1993: 3). Resussitasie en die beraming van erge traumagevalle noodsaak in baie gevalle, gelyktydige hantering. Sou hierdie hantering nie gelyktydig en onmiddellik volgens prioriteit plaasvind nie, kan dit noodlottige gevolge inhou. Belangrike prioriteite in traumabehandeling sluit in, die instandhouding van 'n patente lugweg om asemhaling te onderhou asook die beskerming van die servikale rugmurgkolom, deur die ruwe manipulasie van die kop en nek te vermy deur die implementering van 'n nekimmobiliseerder. Kardiovaskulere probleme, byvoorbeeld skok of miokardiale infarksie, asook respiratoriese probleme wat lewensbedreigend vir die pasient met 'n hoofbeseering is, moet uitgesluit word. 'n Gedetailleerde van kop-tot-tone ondersoek, wat die kop, nek, borskas, abdomen, rug, muskulo-sketale stelsel, rektum en vagina insluit, moet uitgevoer word. In die pasient met hoofbeserings moet enige toestand byvoorbeeld frakture van die langbene of die pelvis, skok of 'n pneumothorax, eers behandel word. Implementeer die A (Iugweg - "airway"), B (asemhaling - "breathing"), C (sirkulasie -"circulation"), D (gestremdheid - "disability", neurologies- "neurological" en drogerye-"drugs") en E (omgewing - "environment") vir die gestruktureerde behandeling van die pasient. Die twee fase model van Muller (1996) is gebruik vir die formulering en validering van die verpleeguitkomsstandaarde. In fase een is die literatuur verken om die voorlopige standaarde vir polytrauma pasiente met traumatiese breinbeserings te ontwikkel. In fase twee is die voorlopige standaarde gevalideer deur kundiges (dokters en verpleegkundiges) in kritieke sorg, trauma en noodverpleging. Die verpleegkundiges en dokter wat werksaam is in die ongevalle-eenheid van 'n plaaslike provinsiale hospitaal in Mafikeng is ook ingesluit. Finale standaarde is geformuleer en dienooreenkomstig aanvaar. Die standaarde vir die politrauma pasient met traumatiese breinbeserings, sluit in: 'n Veilige omgewing vir pasiente, verpleegkundiges en dokters. Die prirnere beraming in ongevalle ten opsigte van instandhouding van die lugweg, asemhaling, sirkulasie, gestremdheid, drogerye en blootstelling. Die sekondere beraming: wat behels die kop-tot-tone ondersoek. Definitiewe ortopediese behandeling en stabilisering voor oorplasing na die intensiewe-sorg-eenheid. 'n Standaard met betrekking tot die nodige toerusting wat benodig mag word tydens 'n hart stilstand, oppad na die intensiewe-sorg-eenheid, is ook geformuleer. Die standaard ten opsigte van dokumentasie sluit die primere, en sekondere beraming, vervoer na die intensiewe-sorg-eenheid, aktiwiteite en toestand van die pasient, in. Die finale standaarde is gebaseer op die oorhandiging van die pasient aan die intensiewe-sorg-personeel. Die volgende aanbevelings word gemaak: • Implementeer die uitkomsstandaarde deur middel van 'n gehalteverbeteringsprogram deur gebruik te maak van 'n "top-down" benadering -, • Voorsien opleiding: Verpleegkundiges en dokters het 'n verpligting om gehaltesorg te lewer, hulle het dus 'n reg om onderrig te ontvang in noodprosedures, en verder het die pasient die req op gehalter noodbehandeling. • Aile geregistreerde verpleegkundiges wat in die ongevalle en die noodafdeling werk, behoort opgelei word in ten minste basiese lewensondersteuning (CPR), Gevorderde Trauma Lewens Ondersteuning (ACLS), Gevorderde Pediatriese lewensondersteuning (APLS) en Gevorderde Trauma lewensondersteuning (ATLS), terwyl gewag word om die trauma verpleegkundigekursus te deurloop. • Verbeter mteksiebeheermaatreels in ongevalle. • Noodmedikasie moet ten aile tye beskikbaar wees. • Verbeter die op-roepstelsel ("on cali"). • Formuleer 'n beleid oor die gesamentlike gebruik van toerusting deur beide ongevalle- en intensiewe-sorg-eenheid-personeel. • Motiveer vir die nodige toerusting. • Implementeer prosedures om personeel to te laat vir ontlonting (debriefing), die evaluering van aksies tydens die resusitasie prosedure en implementeer metodes vir die sielkundige ondersteuning van die familie. • Ten opsigte van verdere narvorsing behoort 'n opleidingsprogram qeunplernenteer en getoets te word met betrekking tot verpleegkundiges wat hulle eie standaarde will formuleer. • Evalueer of die standaarde die gehalte van traumasorg verbeter het en ontwikkel standaarde vir intensierwe-sorg-verpleging van die breinbeseerde pasient asook die rehabilitasie van politrauma pasiente met traumatise breinbeesering. Die unieke bydra van die studie word gevind in die feit dat daar nog geen gerformaliseerde uitkomstandaarde vir traumapasiente met breinbeseerings in enige van die Noord Wes Provinsie se hospitale ontwikkel is nie