Voice Prosthesis Sealing Rim Minimizes Candida Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice prostheses have a short lifespan due to candida growth at the sealing surfaces of the valve member and valve seat, leading to leakage and loss of spring bias, which cannot be entirely alleviated by magnetic attraction or candida-resistant materials.
Innovation Solution
A voice prosthesis with a tubular body, a valve disc, and a valve seat, featuring a sealing rim to minimize interaction area and using candida-resistant materials, combined with a pre-stressed valve flap and optional magnets for enhanced sealing, reducing candida accumulation and maintaining closure force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve member and valve seat are used to control air flow, then the voice prosthesis can maintain closure force, but candida growth occurs at the sealing surfaces leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional valve member and valve seat structure that creates sealing surfaces susceptible to candida growth. Instead, it uses a simplified valve disc that closes against the tubular body wall, eliminating the problematic interface between valve components and reducing candida accumulation areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies candida-resistant material specifically at the sealing interface between the valve disc and the tubular body wall. This localized application of antimicrobial properties targets the critical area where candida growth occurs, while the rest of the prosthesis maintains its original structure and function.
2Reliability
If spring bias is used to maintain valve closure, then the valve can seal effectively, but the spring bias is lost over time due to candida growth and material degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable valve disc that is replaced periodically, eliminating the need for long-lasting spring mechanisms that degrade over time. The valve disc is designed to be discarded when worn or contaminated, avoiding the problem of lost spring bias in permanent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter from elastic spring bias to a rigid valve disc closed by a retaining ring. This parameter change eliminates the time-dependent degradation of elastic materials while maintaining effective sealing through the rigid structure and retention mechanism.
3Reliability
If magnetic attraction is used to hold the valve closed, then spring bias is maintained, but candida still accumulates at the valve/valve seat interface causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnetic attraction mechanism and traditional valve seat structure. The valve disc closes directly against the tubular body wall without requiring magnetic fields or complex valve seat interfaces, thereby eliminating the accumulation zones where candida previously formed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of candida accumulation at valve interfaces into a benefit by eliminating those interfaces entirely. The simplified valve disc design closes against the smooth tubular body wall, preventing candida accumulation and allowing the closure force to be maintained without magnetic attraction.
4Reliability
If a large interaction area between valve disc and valve seat is used, then sealing is improved, but candida growth and mucus accumulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the traditional valve seat structure that created large interaction areas. The valve disc now closes against the tubular body wall with a minimized contact area, reducing the surface available for candida and mucus accumulation while maintaining effective sealing through the retaining ring mechanism.
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 design significantly reduces leakage by maintaining closure force over time, minimizing candida growth at the interaction area, and effectively sealing against mucus and food interference, thus extending the prosthesis' lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing rim is arranged between said valve disc and said valve seat, such that the interaction between said valve disc and said valve seat is obtained via said rim
Implementation Method 2
using candida-resistant materials, combined with a pre-stressed valve flap and optional magnets for enhanced sealing
Implementation Method 3
optional magnets for enhanced sealing
Implementation Method 4
combined with a pre-stressed valve flap and optional magnets for enhanced sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A voice prosthesis for mounting in a fistula between trachea and esophagus is provided. The voice prosthesis comprises a tubular body having a lumen, a valve disc and a valve seat. The valve disc and a valve seat are arranged in the lumen of the tubular body, such that the valve disc and the valve seat control the connection through the lumen by interaction between the valve disc and the valve seat. A sealing rim is arranged between the valve disc and the valve seat, such that the interaction between the valve disc and the valve seat is obtained via the rim. A method for manufacturing a voice prosthesis is also provided.