The oesophagus is a hollow tube, which transports food from the mouth to the stomach. Dysfunction of the peristaltic transport mechanism causes a variety of diseases like gastro-oesophageal-reflux-disease (GERD), oesophageal adenocarcinoma, heartburn or pyrosis, achalasia and nutcracker oesophagus. When the clinical picture remains unclear the functionality of the oesophagus has to be examined with sensors. A clearly defined goal is to make these examinations faster and more comfortable to the patient. Main target of this project is an OPTIMO sensor, a portable device based on a fully optical technology capable to perform manometry, pH-metry and bilimetry within the same optical fibre catheter or by means of combined catheters so as to provide physicians a compact and reliable tool to perform exhaustive diagnosis in gastroesophageal reflux pathologies. The OPTIMO sensor based on a fully optical technology and offering the possibility of performing the measurement of the three parameters simultaneously by means of the use of a single or combined catheter would be definitely an innovative product in the gastro-oesophageal diagnostic scenario with high potential for worldwide market penetration and application developments.

Funded by Photonics Based Sensing ERA-NET Cofund