Hospital FEES^® System, Model 7190

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)          FEES has become a standard technique for evaluating patients with swallowing problems. It is also used in therapy by speech-language pathologists (SLP) as a visual display to help patients learn various swallowing maneuvers. KayPENTAX’s Digital Swallowing Workstation includes a complete FEES system, but the stand-alone FEES System uses the same high-quality endoscopy components to provide excellent image quality and many user conveniences. The stand-alone Hospital FEES System comes complete, with a sturdy cart that houses all components (including a DVD recorder and color printer), and can be rolled to patient bedside or used in the speech clinic. For the clinician who works in a hospital setting, this cost-effective FEES system is the product of choice. The FEES Procedure In the FEES procedure, a flexible endoscope is passed transnasally to the patient’s hypopharynx where the clinician can clearly view laryngeal and pharyngeal structures. KayPENTAX’s system includes a halogen light source along with a high-resolution camera and monitor to provide ample illumination and excellent image clarity of anatomic structures. The SLP normally performs a variety of physiologic testing with non-swallowing tasks. Then the clinician observes swallowing function by feeding the patient various bolus consistencies and volumes, each colored with food dye to help with exam interpretation. The procedure provides a real-time visual display of swallowing function and is recorded with a DVD recorder to allow the exam to be reviewed subsequently. A color printer is provided so that hard copy, clearly illustrating key exam findings, can be placed in the patient’s chart. In addition to its assessment function, FEES can be used to help educate patients, and their family members, about swallowing problems. The FEES display can also be used to effectively demonstrate how a therapy maneuver “works” to enhance learning and carryover of therapy goals.

The Hospital FEES System is provided with a quality, durable flexible endoscope with 3.4 mm diameter to minimize patient discomfort during insertion. The light source contains an adjustable brightness control for optimal illumination of anatomic structures. The miniature CCD camera has a lightweight head that is coupled to the endoscope with a convenient lens adapter with focus adjustment. The monitor, DVD recorder, and printer have all been selected for their high-quality performance. KayPENTAX’s custom FEES cart houses all of the system components. The cart’s supply drawer allows convenient storage and access to items used in FEES exams(e.g., sterile gloves, food dye, cups, bolus thickening agents, puddings, etc.). Also on the cart are handles for easy maneuvering, a scope holder, and an isolation transformer mounted to the cart’s base. The system can be rolled throughout the hospital for FEES exam administration.

Features 

• Complete FEES system housed on custom-made cart

• Quality endoscopic components for optimal image quality

• Halogen light source providing excellent illumination of anatomic structures

• Color printer for hard copy of key exam findings

• Cart with large casters for easy mobility, supply drawer, scope holder, and isolation transformer

• Upgradeable to KayPENTAX’s digital video recording technology at any time

The stand-alone FEES system is one of several products that KayPENTAX offers to clinicians and researchers in the area of swallowing, including the highly acclaimed Swallowing Signals Lab and Digital Video Recording Module. Along with FEES, these modules are integrated on the complete Digital Swallowing Workstation. Additional product information, including an extensive bibliography and application articles, is available on request.

FEES and modified barium studies each have advantages for patient assessment. KayPENTAX’s swallowing systems (both analog and digital systems) can record either of these procedures. A number of the commonly cited advantages of the FEES procedure are provided below:

•  Procedure can be performed at patient bedside

•  No radiation exposure to patient

•  Exam duration can be longer allowing experimentation with swallowing maneuvers and therapy planning

•  Patient can ingest foods normally eaten during FEES procedure

•  Fatigue, which may lead to aspiration, can be assessed over an entire meal

•  Excellent visualization of secretions and penetration

• 3.4-mm flexible endoscope

• Halogen light source

• 5-lux CCD miniature camera

• Lens adapter

• High-resolution color monitor

• Medical-grade DVD recorder

• Lapel microphone for recording exam commentary

• Color printer

• Custom cart for all components

• Miscellaneous cables/accessories

FEES is an important instrumental assessment and therapy tool for dysphagia clinicians. The KayPENTAX Hospital FEES System is ideally suited to the hospital clinician who requires a quality, cost-effective system with all components supported by one company with a long history as the leader in imaging and swallowing instrumentation.

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FEES® is a registered service mark of Susan Langmore, Ph.D. 

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