Towards Non-Invasive Swallowing Assessment: an AI-Powered Interface for Swallowing Kinematic Analysis using High-Resolution Cervical Auscultation.

Swallowing is a pivotal physiological function for human sustenance and hydration. Dysfunctions, termed dysphagia, necessitate prompt and precise diagnosis. Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) remain the gold standard for swallowing assessment but pose accessibility and radiation exposure concerns. High-resolution cervical auscultation (HRCA) presents a non-invasive alternative with comparable accuracy. Yet, existing studies have only assessed HRCA in tandem with VFSS, without applying it to clinical settings. We propose an AI-enhanced PC software deploying HRCA for real-time bedside swallowing screening. This software proficiently detects abnormalities and precisely measures key kinematic events, including upper esophageal sphincter opening and laryngeal vestibule closure duration. The system was evaluated through two studies, encompassing a VFSS comparative analysis and a usability study. Our findings underscored the software's superior operational efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, positioning our HRCA-based system as a refined and pragmatic alternative for dysphagia assessment.