Verification of the intraluminal multiple electrical impedance measurement for the recording of gastrointestinal motility

Abstract

A new intraluminal electrical impedance procedure for high‐resolution measurements and the quantitative assessment of gastrointestinal motility is examined in healthy volunteers by cineradiography and manometry. The peristalsis in the oesophagus, stomach and small bowel is recorded with a combined impedance‐pressure catheter. Additionally, investigations with a flexible 16‐channel impedance catheter with a closed surface and a diameter of 3 mm are carried out in the oesophagus and small intestine. The 16 measuring segments with a length of 2 cm each record the contractile patterns from a 32‐cm‐long organ section without a gap. The correctness of the physical approach is validated by concurrent impedance and cineradiography recordings of the oesophageal peristalsis. The comparative studies confirm a close relation between the pressure and the impedance changes in the oesophagus and small intestine. The time analysis of the impedance tracings offers information about the bolus transit and the change of the wall compliance along the organ. Regions of high or low compliance of the muscular wall can be recognized. From the impedance tracings the direction of the contraction waves as well as their velocities, lengths, beginnings and ends can be determined. Moreover, the beginning and end of the bolus, and from them the momentary bolus length, can be characterized for any instant during the bolus transit.

Evaluation of Proton Pump Inhibitor-Resistant Nonerosive Reflux Disease by Esophageal Manometry and 24-Hour Esophageal Impedance and pH Monitoring

“…Changes of impedance corresponding to gastroesophageal reflux events were defined from the results of previous human studies [14,15,16,17]. A liquid reflux event was identified as a decrease of impedance by 50% or more from baseline in at least the two distal channels that was propagated retrogradely.…”

Liquid-containing Refluxes and Acid Refluxes May Be Less Frequent in the Japanese Population Than in Other Populations: Normal Values of 24- hour Esophageal Impedance and pH Monitoring

“…[17][18][19] A liquid reflux event was identified as a decrease of impedance by 50% or more from baseline in at least the 2 distal channels that was propagated retrogradely. Gas reflux was identified as an abrupt increase of impedance by 50% or more from baseline in at least two adjacent channels with simultaneous or near-simultaneous propagation in the retrograde direction.…”

Review article: intra‐oesophageal impedance monitoring for the assessment of bolus transit and gastro‐oesophageal reflux

“…2,3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Figure 2. Bolus passage along a neighbouring pair of electrodes yields a typical impedance tracing, including five phases: baseline impedance during resting stage of the oesophagus (phase 1); impedance rise caused by arrival and passage of an air volume ahead of the bolus (phase 2); impedance drop and recovery caused by arrival and passage of the bolus (phase 3); impedance rise caused by wall contraction associated with lumen occlusion (phase 4) and recovery of impedance signal to baseline level during transition to resting stage (phase 5).…”