Swallowing simulator used to prevent choking deaths

A mechanical simulator of the mouth and tongue has shaped new NHS guidelines for people with swallowing disorders.

Research by Dr Ben Hanson, UCL Mechanical Engineering, into the material properties of food has helped define international standards for classifying food textures – to help people with swallowing disorders (dysphagia).
 
He created a mechanical simulator of the mouth and tongue to study how different foods and drinks behave when swallowed. A test rig mapped the pressure needed to swallow soft foods and used lasers to visualise the flow of drinks.
 
The research forms a key part of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), an international effort to enhance quality of life for people with swallowing disorders. IDDSI’s framework and resources are being rolled out by the NHS. By introducing precise guidelines, the NHS hopes to reduce choking deaths caused by confusion around the term ‘soft diet’. 

Related links:
International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (DDSI)
Ben Hanson helps define international standards to help those with swallowing disorders
A Mechanical Simulator of Tongue–Palate Compression to Investigate the Oral Flow of Non-Newtonian Fluids