Replaceable saliva barrier for intra-oral larynx

A removable saliva barrier for an intra-oral artificial larynx of the type having

• a prosthetic means for mounting said larynx within the intra-oral cavity;
• a signal generation means mounted on said prosthetic means for generating a preselected electrical signal;
• a speaker means mounted on said prosthetic means for converting said signal into acoustic energy;
• a horn having an input opening coupled to said speaker means for acoustically amplifying the output of said speaker means, said horn also having an output opening;
• a tongue activatable switch for enabling said signal generation means and said speaker means;
• and
• a power source for said signal generation means and said speaker means;
• said barrier comprising:
• a microporous membrane;
• and
• a mounting, said membrane being fixed thereto, said membrane and said mounting being removably mounted to the output opening of said horn.

An intra-oral artificial larynx comprising:

• prosthetic means for mounting said larynx within the intra-oral cavity;
• signal generation means mounted on said prosthetic means for generating a preselected electrical signal;
• speaker means mounted on said prosthetic means for converting said signal into acoustic energy;
• a horn having an input opening coupled to said speaker means for acoustically amplifying the output of said speaker means, said horn also having an output opening;
• a saliva barrier cartridge for precluding the penetration of saliva into said horn, said cartridge being removably mounted to said output opening, said cartridge including:
• a mounting having a central opening therein in acoustic communication with the output opening of said horn, and
• a microporous membrane sealing said central opening;
• a tongue activatable switch for enabling said signal generation means and said speaker means;
• and
• a power source for said signal genration means and said speaker means.