System and method of testing the gastric valve and urethral sphincter

A method of testing the gastric valve and urethral sphincter in a patient, comprising:

• administering a contrast agent into the esophagus of a patient followed by;
• inducing an involuntary reflex cough epoch within the patient to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and isolate the external urethral sphincter from the internal urethral sphincter;
• detecting using an imaging sensor the flow of the contrast agent during the involuntary reflex cough epoch and determining whether stomach reflux occurred indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve;
• determining if urine leaked indicative of stress urinary incontinence (SUI);
• inserting a urinary catheter having a pressure sensor within the bladder;
• obtaining an electromyogram (EMG) from the involuntary cough activated intercostals and/or paraspinals;
• and
• processing, using a processor, the data from the pressure sensor with the EMG to estimate the severity of the SUI;
• and
• measuring the amount of reflux that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough epoch to estimate the severity of the malfunctioning gastric valve.

A system for testing the gastric valve and urethral sphincter in a patient, comprising:

• a contrast agent that is administered into the esophagus of a patient;
• a nebulizer containing a chemo-irritant agent that induces an involuntary reflex cough epoch within the patient after administration of the contrast agent to the patient in order to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and isolate the external urethral sphincter from the internal urethral sphincter;
• an imaging sensor positioned adjacent to the patient and configured to detect and display the flow of the contrast agent during the involuntary cough epoch such that reflux from the stomach that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough epoch is displayed indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve;
• a urine leakage detector configured to detect urine leakage during the involuntary reflex cough epoch indicative of stress urinary incontinence (SUI);
• a urinary catheter having a pressure sensor within the bladder;
• at least one electromyogram pad configured for obtaining an electromyogram (EMG) from the involuntary cough activated intercostals and/or paraspinals;
• and
• a processor configured to receive data from the pressure sensor and EMG and estimate the severity of the SUI.