The deglutition of an iron-oxide labelled tablet with manganese labelled fluid
In this image, a sequence of five distinct stages depicting the deglutition process of an iron oxide labelled tablet with a manganese labelled fluid is shown. Each stage unveils a certain moment in the journey of the tablet through the oral cavity, the pharynx, and the esophagus before reaching the stomach. Notably, this act is highly complex involving the interplay of numerous muscles and nerves.
What sets this depiction apart is the confluence of the iron oxide labelled tablet with a manganese labelled fluid, resulting in a strong contrast. Not only is the individual transit but also the interplay between both substances during the transit highlighted.
The overarching theme emphasizes the paramount importance of swallowability of solid oral dosage forms, not merely in terms of patient acceptability but also from a safety perspective. This visual narrative underscores the necessity of understanding the influence of different tablet surfaces on their esophageal transit for the development of drug products that are not only efficacious but also safe for patients.
About the artist
Henriette Hummler researches the preferred type and size of oral drug formulations in geriatric patients and the elderly, including their swallowing capabilities. The above images were taken during an intervention study on the influence of solid oral dosage form characteristics on swallowability.