Intra-laryngeal Implant for Treatment of Chronic Aspirations

Patients suffering from swallowing disorders characterized by chronic aspirations (repeated episodes of aspirations defined as penetration of material - liquids, food, saliva, into the respiratory system due to a malfunctioning of the swallowing mechanism) are subject to pathologies and pulmonary insufficiencies. The risks of aspiration pneumonia or suffocation are significantly greater if the patient is not able to expectorate and thus engages the vital prognosis. There are several methods to treat chronic aspirations: the least invasive methods involve adopting postures and/or positions of the body during swallowing and adapting food textures; when these treatments are insufficient there is the need to recur to more advanced ones to protect the airways and keep the patient on a sufficient nutrition.

For these severe cases, heavier surgical methods can be also considered. These methods lead to important anatomical changes, with a variable degree of reversibility, up to irreversibility (eg total laryngectomy). Among surgical methods, there is also an implant of a tracheotomy cuffed cannula that allows patient to breathe through a hole in the trachea. The efficacy of this solution is highly controversial as reported by numerous studies and several adverse effects are reported on the tracheal duct.

Due to the interest of a prosthetic treatment and the disadvantages of the current methods and devices, PROTiP Medical has developed a closed intra-laryngeal implant: NewBreez LD. This device is innovative because its geometry has been optimized to conform totally to the anatomy of the larynx with the aim to ensure a sealing against saliva, liquids and food aspirations.