Graduate Students
Dana Zoratto
M.H.Sc. Candidate, Clinical Engineering
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Research Student
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Advisors: Dr. Tom Chau and Dr. Catriona Steele
E-mail: dana[dot]zoratto[at]utoronto[dot]ca
Education and Training:
Dana completed her Bachelors of Chemical Engineering with an option in biomedical engineering at Queen's University in 2007. Her interest in the biomedical aspects of engineering strongly pushed her to pursue a Master's program in Clinical Engineering that began in 2007.
Research Title:
Hyolaryngeal Excursion as the Physiological Source of Accelerometry Signals during Swallowing
Research Abstract:
Swallowing dysfunction, or dysphagia, can result from any structural or neurological impairment that affects the swallowing mechanism such as stroke, neurodegenerative disease, or brain surgery. Aspiration occurs when a dysphagic patient inhales food into the larynx and lower respiratory tract and can be a serious complication, particularly for patients who are medically compromised. At present, there are no quick, effective screening techniques to detect aspiration in the dysphagic population. Patients are required to visit hospitals for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies or for clinical bed-side assessments. Accelerometry is an inexpensive, non-invasive technique that may be used to measure the epidermal vibration signals on a patient?s throat during swallowing.
Using accelerometry and videofluoroscopic examinations, the purpose of this study is to determine the physiological relationship between hyolaryngeal excursion and the vibration signals produced during swallowing within the dysphagic population. Hyolaryngeal excursion is believed to be an important component of the swallowing mechanism by playing a role in protecting the airway during swallowing, controlling tongue movement, and opening the upper esophageal sphincter. Furthermore, because of its visibility on the videofluoroscopic images and its importance in swallowing, the hyoid trajectory will be tracked in this study. The results from this project will be used in conjunction with other research in the development of a screening tool for detecting aspiration in dysphagic patients, thus minimizing unnecessary exposure to radiation and reducing wait times for videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations.
Other Interests:
Dana spends a significant amount of time dancing with Silhouettes, a semi-professional company affiliated with the University of Toronto. She has also danced with Only Human Dance Collective and has performed for the Festival of Dance this past year. Growing up in Northern Ontario, she also loves white water canoe trips, camping, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and attempting to play soccer during the few summer months.
