Esophageal reflux can be detected without discomfort using RFID

Filed in archive Healthcare on May 30, 2007

RFID won't let oesophageal reflux go unnoticed. Doctors and engineers of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre and UT Arlington have created a new system which can lead to improved monitoring of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This occurs when content of the stomach moves upward from the stomach into the oesophagus.

Here an RFID chip is attached to the oesophagus and it checks for electrical impulses which indicate whether acidic or non acidic liquids are moving through oesophagus or not. With a special plastic material being used patients won't feel any foreign object in their throat when the device is inserted. After that data is transmitted to wireless sensor around the neck of the person. This would be a relief from the current uncomfortable technique which requires passing of flexible catheter tube through the nose and down into the oesophagus which can cause a lot of discomfort during eating and drinking. With catheter being excluded from this new system it won't affect their day to day eating, drinking and day to day activities which are involved in acid reflux.

Devices like this would make medical treatments quite easy and minimize discomfort if any associated with them. RFID is all set to change the way medical treatments are conducted.