Physical and aerodynamic features of the Bordeaux voice prosthesis.
Performance of a voice prosthesis, used to restore speech in patients following total laryngectomy, was evaluated by measuring in vitro, as well as in vivo, airflow resistances. The pressure-flow characteristics of the device were analyzed using the standard pressure-flow diagram (to calculate airway resistance) and a Moody plot (to determine the different flow patterns). The flow rate and the pressure drop were measured with a Fleisch pneumotachograph and a variable reluctance transducer, respectively. Total device resistances were found in the range of 34-50 cm H2O/L/s when the flow-rates ranged from 0.05 to 0.35 L/s. Comparison of these resistances with those of other commercially available devices showed that our voice prosthesis had the lowest resistance.
Jebria
A B
AB
Laboratoire de Physiologie, Université de Bordeaux II, France.
Henry
C
C
Petit
J
J
Gioux
M
M
Devars
F
F
Traissac
L
L
D000403:Airway Resistance; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D011140:Polyurethanes
D011140:Polyurethanes