New method of analysis of epigastric impedance measurement for assessment of gastric emptying and motility

Epigastric impedance changes for a stomach filled with 10%-glucose water were observed by passing a 100-kHz current through surface electrodes on the upper abdomen; a recording was obtained by two other electrodes. The characteristics of epigastric impedance changes are presented in terms of a predictive model. The gastric emptying curve was fitted numerically by a Weibull's model based on the Gauss-Newton algorithm programmed on a microcomputer. The inferior envelope for the noisy curve was separated for clear representation. A running spectrum analysis was used to determine the regular gastric activity and its variation. The numerical analysis in time domain gives a clear representation of the gastric emptying rate and some other parameters which can be used statistically in further clinical investigation and treatment.<
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