An implantable electromagnetic sound source for speech production.

Abstract

Many operative and nonsurgical procedures have been designed for vocal rehabilitation following laryngectomy, but as yet a consistently successful solution with a negligible complication rate has failed to materialize. In our laboratory during the last two years, experiments have been carried out in dogs using active electromagnetic devices placed in the retropharynx as an energy source for speech production. An implantable porous coated stainless steel electromagnetic device energized from an externally controlled oscillator has been developed. Factors under investigation included biocompatibility of materials, durability, noise quality and intensity, together with the efficiency of the system. As a result of the favorable findings, it is envisaged that this system will soon be used in a carefully designed restricted clinical trial as a secondary procedure in those consenting cured laryngeal cancer patients who have failed to develop esophageal speech.

• Authors: M V Griffiths, J M Fredrickson, D P Bryce
• Journal: Archives of otolaryngology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) (Arch Otolaryngol) Vol. 102 Issue 11 Pg. 676-82 (Nov 1976) ISSN: 0003-9977 [Print] United States
• PMID: 985200 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Stainless Steel

Topics

• Animals
• Biomedical Engineering (instrumentation)
• Dogs
• Electric Power Supplies (instrumentation)
• Electromagnetic Phenomena (instrumentation)
• Electronics, Medical (instrumentation)
• Humans
• Laryngectomy
• Pharynx (diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery)
• Radiography
• Speech, Alaryngeal
• Stainless Steel