Professors Horacio D. Espinosa and Neelesh A. Patankar from Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering have led a scientific team to gain a deeper understanding of how the human oesophagus functions.
Their work focuses on understanding how the muscular layers of the oesophagus function, especially in patients with diseases such as oesophageal cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The research, conducted in the United States and published in the academic journal, Acta Biomaterialia, was driven by the need to improve treatment options for oesophageal disorders.
These diseases affect millions globally, including one in five adults in America, and cause severe symptoms like heartburn, swallowing difficulties, and discomfort.
Until now, a limited understanding of the oesophagus’s mechanics has made accurate treatment difficult.
To solve this, the researchers used living human oesophageal tissue taken from patients and tested how the muscles react under different types of pressure and stretching, unlike earlier studies that relied on preserved tissues.
They applied multi-directional testing and advanced imaging tools to observe real-time responses in both circular and longitudinal muscle layers. The findings reveal how the oesophagus moves food and adapts to pressure, helping improve diagnostic tools and surgical procedures.
The team’s method also involved collaboration with experts from the Feinberg School of Medicine and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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