Gastrointestinal barostat

A gastrointestinal barostat is a computerized pneumatic device used to assess pressure and volume changes in the gastrointestinal tract. It maintains a set pressure in an inflatable balloon placed within the GI tract via a catheter and measures the air volume required to sustain that pressure, providing data on motility and sensory function for diagnosing conditions like dysphagia, nausea, or constipation.

Devices in this category are typically regulated as active medical devices that require a power source and are intended for diagnostic use in clinical settings. They are supplied as reusable systems with dedicated catheters and are subject to regulatory oversight based on their intended use and technological characteristics, though specific classification varies by jurisdiction.