In a major advancement for neurological recovery in the Garden State, Atlantic Health System has become one of the first providers in New Jersey to implement the Phagenyx® System. This cutting-edge neuromodulation technology is designed to restore swallowing function in patients suffering from severe dysphagia—a common and potentially life-threatening complication following a stroke.
The rollout began at Morristown Medical Center in February, followed shortly by a successful implementation at Overlook Medical Center in Summit. The technology offers a high-tech solution to an age-old problem: the loss of the basic ability to safely eat and drink.
Dysphagia occurs when a stroke damages the areas of the brain responsible for coordinating the complex muscles of the throat. This can lead to aspiration, pneumonia, and a reliance on feeding tubes.
The Phagenyx System works by delivering low-energy electrical pulses directly to the critical swallowing nerves in the pharynx (throat). This “jump-starts” the communication between the throat and the brain, helping the nervous system re-learn how to coordinate a safe swallow.
“Atlantic Health is at the forefront of treating neurological conditions thanks to our incredibly talented team and powerful new platforms like the Phagenyx System,” Saad Ehtisham, president and CEO of Atlantic Health said. “Restoring function for our patients and improving their quality of life is our mission.”
For the millions of residents served by Atlantic Health across 14 counties, the introduction of Phagenyx means a faster bridge from the ICU to the dinner table. Clinical benefits of the system include:
- Airway Safety: Significantly reduces the risk of food or liquid entering the lungs (aspiration).
- Reduced Hospital Stays: Patients often require fewer days in the ICU or acute care.
- Faster Recovery: A quicker transition back to oral nutrition and “normal” eating.
“Using innovative measures to preserve a normal function like swallowing—and in turn, all of the actions that depend on it, from taking a sip of water to enjoying a meal with one’s family—is an example of our commitment to patient-centered care,” Dr. Kiwon Lee, system director of Stroke and Neuro Critical Care for Atlantic Health said.
The adoption of Phagenyx is part of a broader trend of Atlantic Health pioneering “neuromodulation”—a field of medicine that uses electrical or pharmaceutical agents to alter nerve activity.
As the official healthcare partner of the New York Jets and a major employer of over 25,000 team members, Atlantic Health serves roughly 7.5 million people across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York metro area. This latest technological investment underscores the system’s role as a primary destination for advanced stroke management in the Northeast.
For families navigating the aftermath of a stroke, the message from Atlantic Health is clear: the path to recovery now includes a high-tech “spark” to help restore independence, one swallow at a time.
