title: Verification of two minimally invasive methods for the estimation of the contact pressure in human vocal folds during phonation.
abstract: The contact pressure on the vocal fold surface during high pitch or amplitude voice production is believed to be one major source of phonotrauma. Models for the quantitative estimate of the contact pressure may be valuable for prevention and treatment. Various indirect and minimally invasive approaches have been purported to estimate contact pressure. But the accuracy of these methods has not yet been objectively verified in controlled laboratory settings. In the present study, two indirect approaches for the estimation of the contact pressure were investigated. One is based on a Hertzian impact model, and the other on a finite element model. A probe microphone was used for direct measurements of the contact pressure and verifications of the indirect approaches. A silicone replica of human vocal folds was used as a test bed. Consistent contact pressure estimations were obtained using all three methods. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach for eventual clinical applications are described.
authors: McGill University, McDonald Engineering Building, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal QC, H3A 2K6 Canada.
authors: Li-Jen
authors: LJ
authors: Chen
authors: Luc
authors: L
authors: Mongeau
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D009991:Oscillometry; D010699:Phonation; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*