# US 2014/0195245 A1 · Vocal Fold Movement Translation Device And Method Of Using Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0195245 A1 - Document ID: US20140195245A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/737,382 - Filed: 2013-01-09 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09 - Assignees: Cook Medical Technologies LLC - Inventors: Derek Roe Eller; Erik M. Meyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140195245A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/20: Larynxes; Tracheae combined with larynxes or for use therewith - G10L 13/02: Methods for producing synthetic speech; Speech synthesisers - A61F 2220/0041: using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - G10L: SPEECH ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES OR SPEECH SYNTHESIS; SPEECH RECOGNITION; SPEECH OR VOICE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES; SPEECH OR AUDIO CODING OR DECODING ## Abstract A vocal fold movement translation device includes a reverse motion linkage configured to interface with a first vocal fold and a second vocal fold. The reverse motion linkage includes a mechanical component configured to move the first vocal fold in a first movement direction in response to movement of the second vocal fold in a second movement direction that is opposite the first movement direction. The reverse motion linkage is movable between a first configuration corresponding to an abducted position of the first and second vocal folds and a second configuration corresponding to an adducted position of the first and second vocal folds. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vocal fold movement translation device, comprising: a reverse motion linkage configured to interface with a first vocal fold and a second vocal fold, wherein the reverse motion linkage includes a mechanical component configured to move the first vocal fold in a first movement direction in response to movement of the second vocal fold in a second movement direction that is opposite the first movement direction; wherein the reverse motion linkage is movable between a first configuration corresponding to an abducted position of the first and second vocal folds and a second configuration corresponding to an adducted position of the first and second vocal folds. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 1, wherein the reverse motion linkage includes a first lever configured for attachment to a first cartilage supporting the first vocal fold and a second lever configured for attachment to a second cartilage supporting the second vocal fold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 2, wherein the reverse motion linkage includes a single linkage mechanism interconnecting the first and second levers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 3, wherein the single linkage mechanism includes a rack and pinion mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 4, wherein the first lever includes a first toothed rack portion and the second lever includes a second toothed rack portion, wherein the first toothed rack portion is in mesh with a first pinion gear and the second toothed rack portion is in mesh with a second pinion gear. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 5, wherein the first vocal fold corresponds to a non-working vocal fold and the second vocal fold corresponds to a working vocal fold, wherein, during a rotation of the first and second pinion gears, a travel distance of the second lever is greater than a travel distance of the first lever. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 5, wherein the first and second pinion gears are supported on a housing at a common axis of rotation, wherein the housing is configured for attachment to a laryngeal wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 3, wherein the single linkage mechanism includes a center lever supported on a housing at a fixed pivot axis, wherein a first end of the center lever is movably attached to the first lever at a first movable pivot axis and a second end of the center lever is movably attached to the second lever at a second movable pivot axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 8, wherein the first vocal fold corresponds to a non-working vocal fold and the second vocal fold corresponds to a working vocal fold, wherein the fixed pivot axis is closer to the first movable pivot axis than the second movable pivot axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 8, wherein the housing is configured for attachment to a laryngeal wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 2, wherein the reverse motion linkage includes two linkage mechanisms. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 11, wherein each of the two linkage mechanisms includes a center lever supported on a housing at a fixed pivot axis, wherein the center lever is movably attached to the first lever at a first movable pivot axis and movably attached to the second lever at a second movable pivot axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 12, further including a spring mechanism configured to bias the reverse motion linkage toward the first configuration. ### Claim 14 A method of operating a vocal fold movement translation device, comprising steps of: interfacing with a non-working vocal fold and a working vocal fold using a reverse motion linkage of the vocal fold movement translation device; receiving an indication of a movement of the working vocal fold in a first movement direction at the reverse motion linkage; and moving the non-working vocal fold in a second movement direction using a mechanical component of the reverse motion linkage in response to the movement of the working vocal fold, wherein the second movement direction is opposite the first movement direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further including moving the reverse motion linkage between a first configuration corresponding to an abducted position of the non-working and working vocal folds and a second configuration corresponding to an adducted position of the non-working and working vocal folds. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further including: attaching a first lever to a first cartilage supporting the non-working vocal fold and attaching a second lever to a second cartilage of the working vocal fold; and interconnecting the first and second levers through a linkage mechanism. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further including translating a travel distance of the second lever into a travel distance of the first lever using a rack and pinion mechanism. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further including translating a travel distance of the second lever into a travel distance of the first lever using a center lever having a fixed pivot axis, wherein the center lever is movably attached to the first lever at a first movable pivot axis and movably attached to the second lever at a second movable pivot axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further including biasing the reverse motion linkage toward the first configuration. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further including attaching a housing of the linkage mechanism to a laryngeal wall.