Development of a disposable probe for the evaluation of acid-induced damage of the oesophageal mucosa

The development of a disposable probe to measure the acid burden over an ex tended period of time is reported. The probe consists of a screen-printed m atrix that shows decomposition as a function of pH and exposure time. The c oncept development and realisation of the probe is discussed, and experimen tal results, both in vitro and under pre-clinical in vivo conditions, are p resented. The in vitro experiments prove the validity of the concept and th e feasibility of the approach. The in vivo experiments indicate that there is a good correlation between the probe response and the oesophageal epithe lial cell damage produced by oesophageal acid perfusion of the feline oesop hagus. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.