Richter J, Evans R. Gastroenterology. 2006;130:4(suppl 2).
Dr. Gregory Weiner of Chula Vista, Calif. And his associates from Restech Corporation in Poway, Calif, and the San Diego State University observed that despite recognition of multiple manifestations of supraesophageal gastric reflux (SEGR), characterization, identification, and response to therapy have evaded understanding due to lack of a suitable detection device. To address this need, Restech developed the Dx minimally invasive catheter with ionic flow sensor to measure pH in liquid or aerosolized droplets at the site of the posterior oropharynx. The authors tested the device’s sensitivity using a standard, 24-hour triple sensor pH catheter (24pH) for verification. Patients in a gastroenterologic practice with chronic symptoms likely due to SEGR and off reflux medication for 4-7 days underwent 24pH with two esophageal and one pharyngeal sensor (Sandhill PH110-V) positioned with a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) indicator at 5 cm above the LES, an indicator 5 cm below the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and one 1 cm above the UES. The 1.5 mm nasopharyngeal catheter was placed at the oropharynx behind the uvula, above the patients’ discomfort position. Tracings from all four synchronized pH inputs and patient diary were analyzed graphically on a single screen. SEGR was defined as rapid pH drops at the Dx sensor, greater than 3 standard deviations from a 60 second baseline, sequential to drops in pH to less than 4 as measured by 24h pH sensors, then classified as acid pH or weakly acid pH.
A total of 15 patients, at an average age of 57.5 years, with symptoms ranging from cough to tooth enamel loss, sleep apnea, and asthma, were tested. Four had normal 24pH. In 10 patients, 48 Dx-detected SEGR events occurred, with gradual return to baseline and synchronous to esophageal pH drops. All 5 Dx-negative patients had normal 24pH in the esophagus. The authors concluded that SEGR exists in the oropharynx and is detectable with the Dx device; there is a gradient of increasing pH from the esophagus to the oropharynx, the latter rarely less than 4; redefinition of significant pH events above the UES as percentage or more than 3 times the standard deviation in pH drops merits consideration; and clinical management may be influenced by Dx results.
Bree has been an integral part of Restech from the very beginning. She holds a Masters in Public Health from George Washington University, a BFA from The University of Kansas in Visual Communications, and is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Her command of marketing, public health/health delivery systems, and human health behavior change gives her a unique perspective in developing effective marketing strategies for the company.
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Thomas previously worked as a polysomnographic technologist in the Virginia Mason system, before moving into sales with Restech in 2007. After spending 9 years working with distributors across Europe, he was moved into an organizational role at the head office in Houston. In this capacity he works closely with sales and marketing to provide clinical support, manages clinical studies, and provides clinical perspectives on business development. In his spare time Thomas plays rugby for Houston Athletic Rugby Club.
Jeff has over 30 years of experience in the medical device industry and previously worked in sales at companies such as Encision Inc., Interventional Therapies, LLC, Boston Scientific, and United States Surgical Corporation. He has been working as the VP of Sales for Mederi Therapeutics since 2009 and now brings his extensive expertise to Restech. Jeff was part of the team that bridged the Mederi asset sale to Restech. His clinical knowledge of the Stretta and Secca technologies is invaluable. Jeff has three decades of physician relations experience that he brings to Restech as part of the leadership team.
Ray joined Restech in May 2018 as the Vice President for Sales. He has been in the medical device, and specifically in the GERD space for more than 18 years. Starting in sales at Sandhill Scientific pH diagnostics, he moved on to Curon Medical when Stretta and Secca were first introduced to the market. He then worked for Given Imaging when Curon closed operations. When Stretta was relaunced he joined Mederi as VP of Sales. Ray was instrumental in keeping Stretta alive and the customer based informed when Mederi ceased operation and assets were purchased by Restech. He is part of the leadership team directing all product sales for Restech. Ray graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk with a BS in Marketing and Business Administration.
Mark is a seasoned professional and Certified Public Accountant in Texas who brings a unique blend of creative vision and financial expertise to any leadership team. He worked as a Senior Executive for 15 years on a leadership team which grew a private equity backed cash logistics company performing at negative EBITDA on $100 million revenue into an international industry leader with superior profitability on revenue exceeding $1.5 billion. In addition, he spent 10 years as a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse delivering results-oriented merger & acquisition, audit and strategic consulting services to middle market clientele including over 40 manufacturing, distribution, service, nonprofit and technology clients. Mark currently serves as a Chief Financial Officer and consulting CFO (seven years) providing in-house and outsourced CFO and transactional services to the middle market.
Larry is the CTO for Restech and holds a B.S. in Computer Science. He is a software architect specializing in remote patient monitoring, medical sensors, and clinical trial software. Larry holds a patent on massively distributed computing and has worked for a number of major software startup companies including Sybase, Oracle, and Teradata. Larry was also the co-founder of a startup to deliver advanced clinical pathways to patients using mobile devices and medical sensors. Larry is truly a pioneer and now a veteran in the deployment.
Jeff has a breadth of experience with over 25 years in engineering and executive positions within major fortune 100 healthcare companies. He also has proven success in startup medical technology companies. Jeff provides leadership in securing and managing Restech’s patent portfolio. He also built Restech’s compliance platform that established regulatory acceptance in 25+ countries worldwide. Jeff’s scientific support and in-depth understanding of the device industry set the foundation for current and future commercial innovations at Restech.
With nearly 30 years of working with physician thought leaders developing novel and emerging technologies, Leo has played a key role in the development and evolution of balloon angioplasty and stent technologies that revolutionized the therapy of cardiac disease. His experience was instrumental in the development of the patented platform technology which drives the Restech sensor. Leo provides a vision and passion for effecting change in the diagnosis and management of atypical reflux.
With over 20 years of executive experience in both the private and public sector, Debra brings a broad understanding of healthcare delivery system. With experience managing products aimed at wide scale disease and population management for 20 million subscribers, Debra has extensive experience in effectively and efficiently developing models of delivery that address specific health issues. Debra has also been involved in the legislative process and served as the elected President of the Independent Physician Association of California. Debra is dedicated to bringing tools to the healthcare market that improve and support the clinical process.