Voice Prosthesis Inner Cannula Segmentation for Valve Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice prostheses have a short lifespan due to fungus growth, such as candida, which obstructs the valve mechanism, leading to leakage and frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A voice prosthesis design featuring a removable, disposable inner cannula with a valve mechanism that can be easily cleaned or replaced, paired with a durable outer cannula, allowing for quick and economical production and secure attachment using a bayonet locking feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voice prosthesis with a valve mechanism is used to restore speech ability, then speech function is improved, but fungus growth on sealing surfaces causes valve obstruction and leakage, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The voice prosthesis is divided into two separate parts: an outer cannula that remains permanently implanted and an inner cannula containing the valve mechanism that can be removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the inner cannula to be taken out for cleaning or replacement when fungus growth occurs, preventing valve obstruction and maintaining reliable speech function without disturbing the permanently implanted outer cannula.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cannula is designed as a disposable or reusable component that can be removed, cleaned, and replaced. When fungus growth obstructs the valve mechanism, the inner cannula can be discarded after cleaning or replaced with a new one, while the outer cannula is recovered and remains in place. This approach maintains valve reliability by eliminating contaminated components without requiring complete prosthesis replacement.
2Reliability
If the entire voice prosthesis is replaced when valve obstruction occurs, then valve function is restored, but the cost and frequency of replacements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the voice prosthesis into replaceable inner cannula and permanent outer cannula, only the contaminated inner portion needs to be replaced rather than the entire device. This reduces the frequency of replacements and associated costs while maintaining valve function reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cannula can be removed, cleaned, and reused or replaced independently, while the outer cannula is recovered and remains implanted. This selective replacement approach reduces the frequency of replacements compared to replacing the entire prosthesis, thereby reducing loss of time and cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If the inner cannula is made disposable and produced through extruded molding, then manufacturing cost and ease of production are improved, but manufacturing precision must be maintained for adequate sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cannula is designed with different quality requirements for different regions: the distal area requires close dimensional tolerances to ensure adequate sealing with the outer cannula, while other areas can be produced with standard extruded molding tolerances. This local quality approach allows economical mass production through extruded molding while maintaining necessary sealing precision where required.
Data Source
AI summary
A voice prosthesis comprising a outer cannula and an inner cannula wherein the outer cannula is generally in the shape of a spool and comprises two flanges connected by a hollow annular stem therebetween, and the inner cannula comprises a proximal flange and a stem configured to fit within a passageway of the stem of the outer cannula. The outer cannula comprises a retaining slot on its outer proximal edge which can be used to rotationally secure an obround inner cannula proximal flange. The inner cannula may also comprise windows for use with retaining nubs disposed on the interior of the outer cannula passageway and an insertion tool having a moveable protrusions.