Automated setup for ex vivo larynx experiments

作者：Birk Veronika^*; Doellinger Michael; Sutor Alexander; Berry David A; Gedeon Dominik; Traxdorf Maximilian; Wendler Olaf; Bohr Christopher; Knie**urges Stefan

来源：Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2017, 141(3): 1349-1359.

DOI：10.1121/1.4976085

Ex vivo larynx experiments are limited in time due to degeneration of the laryngeal tissues. In order to acquire a significant and comparable amount of data, automatization of current manual experimental procedures is desirable. A computer controlled, electro-mechanical setup was developed for time-dependent variation of specific physiological parameters, including adduction and elongation level of the vocal folds and glottal flow. The setup offers a standardized method to induce defined forces on the laryngeal cartilages. Furthermore, phonation onset is detected automatically and the subsequent measurement procedure is automated and standardized to improve the efficiency of the experimental process. The setup was validated using four ex vivo porcine larynges, whereas each validation measurement series was executed with one separate larynx. Altogether 31 single measurements were undertaken, which can be summed up to a total experimental time of about 4min. dVocal fold elongation and adduction lead both to an increase in fundamental frequency and subglottal pressure. Measurement procedures like applying defined subglottal pressure steps and onsetoffset detection were reliably executed. The setup allows for a computer-based parameter control, which enables fast experimental execution over a wide range of laryngeal configurations. This maximizes the number of measurements and reduces personal effort compared with manual procedures.

• 出版日期2017-3