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Development of a Double-Membrane Sound Generator for Application in a Voice-Producing Element for Laryngectomized Patients

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Abstract

For voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy a shunt valve is usually placed in the tracheo-esophageal (TE) wall, thereby enabling the production of a TE voice. Some patients, however, are unable to produce a voice of sufficient quality. Furthermore, the TE voice is low pitched, which presents a problem especially for female laryngectomized patients. The voice quality after laryngectomy might be improved by introducing a voice-producing element (VPE) into the TE shunt valve. In this study a sound generator was developed that is suitable for application in such a VPE. This sound generator consists of two elastic membranes placed parallel inside a circular housing. A substitute voice source is created when the membranes start to vibrate via a constant flow of air passing between them. To determine the optimal membrane configuration for proper functioning under physiological conditions, up-scaled physical VPE models with different membrane geometries were evaluated using in vitro experimental tests. For certain membrane geometries the tests showed that a basic sound, containing multiple harmonics, could be successfully produced under physiological air pressure and airflow conditions. The fundamental frequency (60–95 Hz) and sound pressure level (57–78 dB, at 15 cm microphone distance) were regulated via changes in the driving pressure, thereby enabling the possibility of intonation in laryngectomized patients’ speech. The obtained frequency range is considered appropriate for producing a substitute voice source for female patients. The geometry considerations in this study can be used for the development of a true scale VPE that can be evaluated clinically, to eventually replace the voice after laryngectomy.

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Acknowledgment

This study is part of the Eureka Newvoice 2614 project, financed by a grant from Senter (TSIN 1015).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of BioMedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands

    J. W. Tack, G. J. Verkerke, E. B. van der Houwen & H. K. Schutte

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology,, VU Medical Centre, De Boelelaan 1117, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    H. F. Mahieu

Authors
  1. J. W. Tack
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  2. G. J. Verkerke
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  3. E. B. van der Houwen
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  4. H. F. Mahieu
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  5. H. K. Schutte
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Correspondence to G. J. Verkerke.

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Tack, J.W., Verkerke, G.J., van der Houwen, E.B. et al. Development of a Double-Membrane Sound Generator for Application in a Voice-Producing Element for Laryngectomized Patients. Ann Biomed Eng 34, 1896–1907 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-006-9196-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-006-9196-3

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