Aerodynamic Tissue Driver for Vocal Fold Biomechanics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing vocal fold pliability in patients with dysphonia due to scarring are limited by the invasive nature of glottiscope placement and the need for general anesthesia, which restricts real-time feedback during surgical interventions aimed at restoring tissue biomechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic tissue driver system that uses a tube and deflector to direct pressurized air flow past the vocal fold, allowing for controlled vibration and simultaneous stroboscopy and acoustic measurement, enabling intraoperative assessment of vocal fold biomechanics without requiring patient awakening or behavior modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If glottiscope placement and general anesthesia are used to assess vocal fold pliability, then direct visualization and patient stillness are achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and real-time feedback during surgery becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vocal fold tissue from the body and places it in an ex vivo environment where it can be manipulated and assessed without the constraints of general anesthesia and glottiscope placement. The tissue is mounted on a holder that allows direct application of forces and measurement of pliability properties without requiring the patient to be under anesthesia.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a holder device as an intermediary between the surgical instrument and the vocal fold tissue. This holder provides a stable mounting mechanism that allows precise application of forces to the tissue and measurement of its mechanical properties, serving as a mediator that enables accurate assessment without the need for invasive glottiscope placement.
2Manufacturing precision
If general anesthesia is administered to ensure tissue stillness during injection, then injection accuracy improves, but the ability to obtain real-time feedback on tissue biomechanical properties is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mounting and stabilization of the vocal fold tissue on the holder before the injection procedure begins. This preliminary action ensures the tissue is securely positioned and can remain still during injection without requiring general anesthesia, while still allowing real-time measurement of biomechanical properties through the holder device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates measurement capabilities into the holder device that provide real-time feedback on the biomechanical properties of the vocal fold tissue during the injection procedure. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to monitor tissue pliability and mechanical properties continuously, eliminating the information loss that occurs when the patient is under anesthesia.
3Reliability
If the vocal fold tissue is kept stationary under general anesthesia for accurate assessment, then measurement reliability improves, but surgical efficiency and patient recovery time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vocal fold tissue from the body and places it in an ex vivo environment where it can be assessed without the need for general anesthesia. This extraction allows the tissue to be mounted on a holder that provides stable positioning for reliable measurement while eliminating the time-consuming processes of anesthesia administration and patient recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder device provides self-service functionality by automatically maintaining the vocal fold tissue in a stable, stationary position during assessment. The device includes mechanisms that actively hold the tissue steady without requiring external intervention or anesthesia, thereby ensuring measurement reliability while improving surgical efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, independent assessment of vocal fold vibration and biomechanical properties during surgery, allowing for precise monitoring of treatment effects and improved accuracy in restoring vocal fold function, while also applicable for evaluating skin pliability.
Implementation Method 1
Aerodynamic tissue driver enables intraoperative stroboscopy of vocal fold vibration
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for causing air flow to vibrate a selected tissue includes a tube and a deflector. The tube defines a passage for guiding air flow from an inlet to an outlet thereof. The deflector is disposed to receive the air flow from the outlet of the tube. The configuration of the deflector is such as to channel air flow from the outlet past the selected tissue. This causes vibration of the selected tissue.