Dysphagia is a condition whereby it’s challenging for someone to swallow, usually as a symptom of another medical condition. It’s a condition that affects 6% of people in the United States, or about 19 million people. But it’s a condition that affects as much as 75% of stroke survivors, and as much as 90% of people with Parkinson’s and ALS.

Due to the difficulty swallowing, people with dysphasia often require a meter-flow cup to drink liquids. However, current models available to the public are often embarrassingly juvenile, especially for patients with muscular deficits unaccompanied by cognitive deficits.

When people see people with these large “sippy cups,” it leads to unfair stereotyping and “othering”. So how can we bring dignity back to these patients?

By using the Camo Cup.

Our model is a universal lid capable of fitting onto most 16oz (Starbucks grande) beverage cups while also limiting the volume-per-pour to 5mL, a volume tolerated by most patients.

The system works similar to other flow-limiting cups by using a 5mL chamber to collect liquid, and then the ensuing air bubble to prevent additional liquid from pouring as it’s rotated. When it’s returned to its original position, the chamber refills and the process may be repeated.

Better still, this system resembles normal coffee cup lids, thereby disguising the cup as any other, and making the user appear fully capable of self-monitoring their volume intake.

This model was created by Joe Sigrin, Matt Brown, and Joel Hemphill of Sibley Memorial Hospital.