Methods and Materials for an Artificial Voice Prosthesis
AssigneesNational University of Singapore, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd
InventorsChee Kong Chui, Chin Heng Matthew Chua, Pang Cheng David Lau, Ee Hoon Constance Teo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A voice prosthesis includes a body carrying a passage, and a magnetic passage sealing mechanism having a ball that can selectively seal/block or open the passage. The voice prosthesis can include an outer skin that covers the body. The voice prosthesis can include a polymer carrying a nanomaterial. The voice prosthesis can be fabricated as a patient specific device in accordance with images of a fistula of a target patient for whom the voice prosthesis is intended.
Claims23
-23. (canceled)
A voice prosthesis comprising:
- a body having a length along a body axis;
- a first surface coupled to the body transverse or perpendicular to the body axis, the first surface having a first aperture disposed therein, the first surface defining a first end of the voice prosthesis;
- a second surface coupled to the body transverse or perpendicular to the body axis, the second surface having a second aperture disposed therein, the second surface defining a second end of the voice prosthesis;
- a passage disposed within the body along at least a portion of the body length between the first end and the second end of the voice prosthesis, the passage fluidically coupled to the first aperture and the second aperture;
- and
- a magnetic sealing mechanism carryable by the body and configured for selectively (a) sealing the passage to prevent airflow through the passage in a direction toward the first aperture in the absence of sufficient air pressure at the first aperture, and (b) opening the passage to enable airflow through the passage in a direction toward the second aperture in the presence of sufficient air pressure at the first aperture, the magnetic sealing mechanism comprising a ball.
A method for producing a voice prosthesis, the method comprising:
- providing a body having a length along a body axis and a passage disposed along at least a portion of the body length;
- providing a first surface coupled to the body transverse or perpendicular to the body axis, the first surface having a first aperture disposed therein, the first surface defining a first end of the voice prosthesis;
- providing a second surface coupled to the body transverse or perpendicular to the body axis, the second surface having a second aperture disposed therein, the second surface defining a second end of the voice prosthesis,
- wherein the passage is fluidically coupled to the first aperture and the second aperture;
- and
- interfacing a magnetic sealing mechanism with the body, the magnetic sealing mechanism comprising a ball configured for selectively (a) sealing the passage to prevent airflow through the passage in a direction toward the first aperture in the absence of sufficient air pressure at the first aperture, and (b) opening the passage to enable airflow through the passage in a direction toward the second aperture in the presence of sufficient air pressure at the first aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.