Swallow Solutions, LLC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase II: 600

Description

Swallowing disorders known as dysphagia are associated with increased mortality and morbidity including malnutrition dehydration pulmonary complications and reduced quality of life More than M adults and millions more children suffer from dysphagia This disorder commonly causes liquids whether overly thin water coffee or overly thickened to be aspirated or misdirected into the airway during swallowing leading to significant risk of aspiration pneumonia Dysphagia and its associated health sequelae e g aspiration pneumonia and dehydration place a heavy burden on the health care system Indeed dysphagia accounts for M visits to emergency rooms hospitals and clinics annually at a cost of $ billion each year Appropriately thickened liquids are less likely to enter the airway Unlike thin liquids they move more slowly and cohesively allowing more time for airway protection Unlike overly thick liquids they clear the oropharynx efficiently Dysphagia diagnosis involves undergoing a dynamic radiographic evaluation of the swallowing mechanism using diagnostic barium fluid standards covering a range of thicknesses Successful dysphagia management involves prescribed dietary thickened liquids matching the rheological parameters of the diagnostic barium fluid standards Currently available thickened liquids do not match the rheologic characteristics of the diagnostic standards causing a critical disconnect between diagnosis and treatment This disconnect places patients at greater risk for aspiration and dysphagia related negative health sequelae e g pneumonia Swallow Solutions LLC will build on its successful Phase I project to continue to bridge the gap between unmet clinical and nutritional needs and existing products The insights gained in Phase I results will guide the development of a complete product line of ready to drink thickened beverages SwallowSTRONG Thickened Beverages to meet the unique needs of dysphagic patients This Phase II proposal has three goals Complete development of a full complement of prototype ready to drink thickened and protein enriched medical liquids that are shelf stable and appealing with pre determined rheological and nutritional properties Demonstrate improved patient safety resulting from the full SwallowSTRONG Thickened Beverages product line compared to currently available thickened beverage options Develop the production process for the full product line of ready to drink thickened beverages with and without enhanced nutrition at target viscosities nectar and thin honey in flavors each Swallow Solutions will bridge the gap between clinical need and existing products Safer products will provide dysphagic patients with needed hydration and nutrition and will avoid serious and costly dysphagia related health problems At the end of Phase II Swallow Solutions will commercialize its SwallowSTRONG Thickened Beverages meeting a vital clinical need and improving the health and quality of life for people with dysphagia People suffering from swallowing disorders dysphagia have a hard time correctly swallowing liquids that are too thin like water or coffee or too thick They can have health problems such as pneumonia and malnutrition because when they try to drink some of the liquid goes down the wrong pipe and into the lungs To help people with dysphagia Swallow Solutions is developing thickened liquids that have added nutrition taste good and quench thirst but are still easy and safe to swallow