Tunable Vocal Implant for Restoring Phonatory Mucosal Pliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for vocal dysfunction, such as hoarseness, often fail to address the specific needs of individuals, leading to inadequate voice restoration and prolonged career termination for voice professionals due to phonatory mucosal stiffness and associated lesions.
Innovation Solution
A tunable vocal implant, typically a hydrogel composition with a specific elastic shear modulus and residence time, is selected based on individual vocal needs and deficits, administered to subepithelial locations in the larynx or pharynx to restore phonatory mucosal pliability and enhance vocal function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed vocal implant is used for all patients, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to individual vocal deficits is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic selection process where the implant characteristics (stiffness, residence time) are adjusted based on individual patient assessment. The system transitions from a static fixed implant to a dynamic selection framework that matches implant properties to specific vocal deficits, enabling adaptability without requiring each implant to be physically complex
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of the implant (elastic shear modulus for stiffness, residence time) to match different vocal deficit profiles. By varying these parameters based on patient-specific assessment, the system achieves adaptability to individual needs while keeping the implant design itself relatively simple
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tunable vocal implant with specific elastic shear modulus is selected for each individual, then the adaptability to individual vocal needs is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment and classification of vocal deficits before implant selection. By pre-categorizing patient profiles and matching them to appropriate implant parameters, the system reduces the complexity of the decision-making process during treatment, making customization more manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary assessment framework that mediates between patient needs and implant selection. This intermediary layer (vocal deficit assessment and classification system) simplifies the matching process by translating complex individual needs into standardized implant parameter selections
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
The customized treatment effectively restores vocal function by simulating healthy phonatory mucosal properties, improving voice production in individuals with vocal fold impairments, including those post-surgery or with removed vocal cords, reducing hoarseness and enhancing daily communication abilities.
Implementation Method 1
A tunable vocal implant, typically a hydrogel composition with a specific elastic shear modulus and residence time
Implementation Method 2
simulating healthy phonatory mucosal properties, improving voice production
Implementation Method 3
restores phonatory mucosal pliability and enhance vocal function
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to methods and systems for making customized treatments to a subject's vocal tissues to provide a desired level of vocal function.