Method for assessing mechanical properties of vocal tissue

A method for assessing mechanical properties of a selected vocal tissue of an individual under general anesthesia, the method comprising:

• defining an expansion chamber adjacent to the selected vocal tissue of the individual under general anesthesia, wherein the expansion chamber is defined in part by a phonation system inserted down the throat of the individual;
• passing pressurized air from an air supply located external to the individual into the expansion chamber located within the individual, wherein the pressurized air is passed down the throat of the individual through a passage included in the phonation system;
• and
• providing an opening through which the pressurized air can escape the expansion chamber, the opening being disposed such that, while escaping from the expansion chamber, air passes by the selected vocal tissue, thereby causing the selected vocal tissue to vibrate.