Research & Innovation
Meet the Innovator
Teresa Lever, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP
Dr. Teresa Lever is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Missouri (MU).
Dr. Lever is the inventor of FluoroKennel for contrast videofluoroscopy and developed the associated clinical methodology with her research collaborators.
Research PublicationsThe FluoroKennel Story
Context
Current Procedural Issues
The current protocol involves physical restraint and atypical posture via sternal or lateral recumbency. The result is an assessment of atypical eating/drinking behaviors and increased radiation exposure to the animal handler(s). FluoroKennel is setting a new standard in veterinary aerodigestive medicine by overcoming these major challenges.
1. Uncomfortable for the patient, physical restraint also exposes personnel to excess radiation.
2. Traditional procedures rely on unnatural force-feeding approaches.
1
Radiation Exposure
Personnel in x-ray beam.
2
Tight Restraints
Tight leash around neck causes mechanical obstruction, gagging, and regurgitation. (Bolus flow is normal without leash)
3
Liquid Contamination
Liquid dribbling from mouth during syringe feeding, thereby "contaminating" the x-ray field of view.
4
Kibble Contamination
Kibble dropped during the hand feeding process invariably contaminates the x-ray field-of-view.
These are gloves!
Gloves
1
Radiation Exposure
Personnel in x-ray beam.
2
Tight Restraints
Tight leash around neck causes mechanical obstruction, gagging, and regurgitation. (Bolus flow is normal without leash)
3
Liquid Contamination
Liquid dribbling from mouth during syringe feeding, thereby "contaminating" the x-ray field of view.
Kibble
Kibble
4
Kibble Contamination
Kibble dropped during the hand feeding process invariably contaminates the x-ray field-of-view.
Mechanical obstruction
Mechanical obstruction
Syringe
Liquid dribbling from mouth during syringe feeding.
Is unleashed & unrestrained aerodigestive testing possible?
Yes, with FluoroKennel
US Patent No. 9,107,385 (Issued 8/18/15)
FluoroKennel permits free movement within a confined space.
- Transparent polycarbonate for unobstructed viewing & imaging
- Trapezoidal shape with inviting wide entry door.
- Top and side access doors
- Adjustable height food bowl
- Assorted sizes to accommodate various breeds and sizes
Video of freely feeding dog with fluoroscopic overlay using FluoroKennel.
Achieve Better Outcomes with FluoroKennel
What you don't see in the video...
- Direct radiation exposure to personnel
- Animal restraint causing obstructed bolus flow
- Liquid or kibble field of view contamination
What you do see in the video...
- Free standing animal with no restraint
- Free feeding animal exhibiting typical eating behavior
- No struggling or stress
- Clear view of bolus flow