https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06508-5
Regular Article
Multilayered oesophageal flow in the presence of a balloon catheter: application to achalasia
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Received:
12
March
2025
Accepted:
31
May
2025
Published online:
23
June
2025
We present a detailed analysis of a physiological model for inserting an inflated balloon catheter into the human oesophagus, targeting swallowing disorders such as achalasia. Achalasia is often characterized by dysphagia, in which oesophageal muscles close to the sphincters fail to function due to lack of nerve stimulus. The flow is two-layered and Newtonian. The solutions resort to the long wavelength and low-Reynolds number approximations. It is inferred that pressure increases to facilitate bolus movement, but sharp spikes occur in the distal oesophagus due to balloon inflation. The dilating amplitude further elevates pressure and leads to thinning of the peripheral fluid layer. Pressure becomes non-uniform under balloon dilation. Compared to normal catheter insertion, higher pressure is needed during balloon catheterization to maintain oesophageal flow. Additionally, the frictional force between the balloon and the oesophageal wall is significantly greater in arterial treatments, increasing with balloon inflation and catheter size. We conclude that careful regulation of oesophageal pressure and balloon inflation is mandatory. The balloon should be kept stationary as secondary peristaltic waves are suspected to rise pressure anywhere. Clinically, balloon dilation is used to mechanically disrupt hypertensive sphincters. Our analysis provides a quantitative framework to understand the mechanical response of the oesophageal wall to intraluminal pressure during dilation, stress distribution and bolus dynamics. This insight is crucial for designing safer and more effective dilation protocols, minimizing mucosal injury while maximizing therapeutic outcomes.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
