Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Postmortem Changes and Freezing on the Viscoelastic Properties of Vocal Fold Tissues

  • Published:
Annals of Biomedical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is common practice in laryngeal research laboratories to store excised larynges and vocal fold tissue specimens frozen, presumably to preserve viability and structural integrity of the specimens for physiologic and biomechanical experiments. However, little is known about the biomechanical effects of postmortem changes and frozen storage in vocal fold tissues. This study attempted to quantify the effects of postmortem changes and freezing on the viscoelastic shear properties of the canine vocal fold mucosa. Sixteen larynges were excised from adult dogs immediately postmortem in a viable state. Using a torsional rheometer, the complex shear modulus (G*) of the mucosal tissue from one vocal fold of each larynx was measured as a function of frequency (0.01–15 Hz) by linear small-amplitude oscillation experiments. Measurement was repeated for ten mucosal specimens after 24 h of postmortem storage in saline solution at room temperature. Eleven of the 16 larynges were frozen and stored at −20°C, six of them at a slow rate of cooling (storage in a regular freezer) and five others by quick freezing (chilling by liquid nitrogen prior to frozen storage). The larynges were thawed slowly overnight after one month and the viscoelastic shear properties of the contralateral vocal fold mucosa were measured. Results showed that the elastic shear modulus (G′) and dynamic viscosity (η ′) of the vocal fold mucosa did not seem to change significantly after 24 h of storage in saline at room temperature, nor after one month of frozen storage following quick freezing, whereas both G′ and η′ decreased significantly for tissues that were slowly frozen. These findings supported the feasibility of using quick freezing to preserve laryngeal tissues for in vitro biomechanical testing, for excised larynx experiments, and for tissue engineering applications. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society.

PAC2003: 8719Rr, 8719Pp, 8780–y

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Alipour, F., D. A. Berry, and I. R. Titze. A finite-element model of vocal fold vibration. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.108:3003–3012, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Alipour, F., and I. R. Titze. Elastic models of vocal fold tissues. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.90:1326–1331, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Alipour, F., and I. Titze. Active and passive characteristics of the canine cricothyroid muscles. J. Voice13:1–10, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Allenspach, A. L., and T. G. Kraemer. Ice crystal patterns in artificial gels of extracellular matrix macromolecules after quick-freezing and freeze substitution. Cryobiology26:170–179, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bendall, J. R. Postmortem changes in muscle. In: The Structure and Function of Muscle, edited by G. H. Bourne. New York: Academic, 1973, Vol. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Benninger, M. S., D. Alessi, S. Archer, R. Bastian, C. Ford, J. Koufman, R. T. Sataloff, and J. R. Spiegel. Vocal fold scarring: Current concepts and management. Otolaryngol.-Head Neck Surg.115:474–482, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Berry, D. A.Mechanisms of modal and nonmodal phonation. J. Phonetics29:431–450, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bozzola, J. J., and L. D. Russell. Electron Microscopy: Principles and Techniques for Biologists. Boston: Jones and Bartlett, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Chan, R. W., and N. Tayama. Biomechanical effects of hydration in vocal fold tissues. Otolaryngol.-Head Neck Surg.126:528–537, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Chan, R. W., and I. R. Titze. Viscosities of implantable biomaterials in vocal fold augmentation surgery. Laryngoscope108:725–731, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Chan, R. W., and I. R. Titze. Viscoelastic shear properties of human vocal fold mucosa: Measurement methodology and empirical results. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.106:2008–2021, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Chan, R. W., and I. R. Titze. Hyaluronic acid (with fibronectin) as a bioimplant for the vocal fold mucosa. Laryngoscope109:1142–1149, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chan, R. W., and I. R. Titze. Viscoelastic shear properties of human vocal fold mucosa: Theoretical characterization based on constitutive modeling. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.107:565–580, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chan, R. W.Estimation of viscoelastic shear properties of vocal fold tissues based on time–temperature superposition. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.110:1548–1561, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ferry, J. D. Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers. New York: Wiley, 1980, pp. 264–320.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Fitzgerald, E. R.Dynamic mechanical measurements during the life to death transition in animal tissues. Biorheology12:397–408, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gray, S. D., I. R. Titze, R. Chan, and T. H. Hammond. Vocal fold proteoglycans and their influence on biomechanics. Laryngoscope109:845–854, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gray, S. D., I. R. Titze, F. Alipour, and T. H. Hammond. Biomechanical and histologic observations of vocal fold fibrous proteins. Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol.109:77–85, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hast, M. H.The primate larynx: A comparative physiological study of intrinsic muscles. Acta Otolaryngol.67:84–92, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hirano, M. Structure and vibratory behavior of the vocal folds. In: Dynamic Aspects of Speech Production, edited by M. Sawashima and F. S. Cooper. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 1977, pp. 13–30.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kakita, Y., M. Hirano, and K. Ohmaru. Physical properties of the vocal fold tissue: Measurements on excised larynges. In: Vocal Fold Physiology, edited by K. N. Stevens and M. Hirano. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 1981, pp. 377–397.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Krag, S., and T. T. Andreassen. Effect of freezing on lens capsule mechanical behavior. Ophthalmic Res.30:280–285, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kurita, S., K. Nagata, and M. Hirano. A comparative study of the layer structure of the vocal fold. In: Vocal Fold Physiology, edited by D. M. Bless and J. H. Abbs. San Diego: College-Hill Press, 1983, pp. 3–21.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Perlman, A. L., and F. Alipour. Comparative studies of physiological properties of laryngeal muscles. Acta Otolaryngol.105:372–378, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Perlman, A. L., I. R. Titze, and D. S. Cooper. Elasticity of canine vocal fold tissue. J. Speech Hear. Res.27:212–219, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Quirinia, A., and A. Viidik. Freezing for postmortal storage influences the biomechanical properties of linear skin wounds. J. Biomech.24:819–823, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  27. van Brocklin, J. D., and D. G. Ellis. A study of the mechanical behavior of toe extensor tendons under applied stress. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil.46:369–373, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Viidik, A., and T. Lewin. Changes in tensile strength characteristics and histology of rabbit ligaments induced by different modes of postmortal storage. Acta Orthop. Scand.37:141–155, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Viidik, A., L. Sanquist, and M. Magi. Influence of postmortal storage on tensile strength characteristics and histology of rabbit ligaments. Acta Orthop. Scand.36(Suppl.79):1–38, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Woo, S. L-Y., C. A. Orlando, J. F. Camp, and W. H. Akeson. Effects of postmortem storage by freezing on ligament tensilebehavior. J. Biomech.19:399–404, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Young, R. D., W. J. Armitage, P. Bowerman, S. D. Cook, and D. L. Easty. Improved preservation of human corneal basement membrane following freezing of donor tissue for epikeratophakia. Br. J. Ophthamol.78:863–870, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vocal Fold Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

    Roger W. Chan

  2. National Center for Voice and Speech, Wilbur James Gould Voice Research Center, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver, CO

    Ingo R. Titze

  3. Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    Ingo R. Titze

Authors
  1. Roger W. Chan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ingo R. Titze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chan, R.W., Titze, I.R. Effect of Postmortem Changes and Freezing on the Viscoelastic Properties of Vocal Fold Tissues. Annals of Biomedical Engineering 31, 482–491 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1114/1.1561287

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1114/1.1561287

Search

Navigation