E-Z-EM debuts Varibar for imaging of swallowing

May 21, 2001

Contrast manufacturer E-Z-EM has introduced Varibar, a family of contrast formulations designed specifically for fluoroscopic examination of the swallowing process. The Westbury, NY-based firm believes the Varibar products will provide consistent, repeatable radiographic results in modified swallowing studies.

The Varibar system provides a range of low-, medium- and high-viscosity barium suspensions to evaluate a patient's ability to swallow liquid and solid materials of differing viscosities and volumes, according to the company. Developed in cooperation with speech-language pathologists at several research universities, each Varibar contrast product has been formulated to mimic real food in both texture and taste, according to Patrice Plourde, global product manager of G.I. contrast at the company.

All three Varibar contrasts -- Varibar Nectar, Varibar Honey and Varibar Pudding -- share low-coating characteristics that leave the esophagus stripped and clean, he said. This facilitates accurate diagnosis and treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia, Plourde said.

Varibar has a 40% weight-to-volume density, which E-Z-EM claims is ideal for both analog and digital videofluoroscopy systems. Varibar Nectar is provided in unit-dose containers, while Varibar Honey and Pudding are supplied in multidose tubes.

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
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