Aerodynamic Study for Laryngeal Function Assessment Using Airflow Interruption Me

描述(申请人提供)：人体发声是由肺部的气流驱动的。喉部起到了能量转换器的作用，将空气动力能转化为声能。空气动力学参数为发声过程中喉功能提供了一个实用的评估。传统的气动测量技术有很多局限性。具体地说，测量声道后的气流并不代表声门下压力等驱动参数。最近的研究进展表明，发声阈值压力(PTP)和发声效率等新参数对于反映喉功能是必不可少的，因为它们同时考虑了空气动力学和声学能量形式。需要一种基于断流技术的非侵入性空气动力学测量系统来评估喉部功能、病理和评估治疗效果。这项建议侧重于应用当前的空气动力学理论和计算机化的器械来改进评估喉部功能的方法。具体地说，我们希望这个新的系统可以评估声门下压力(SGP)、发声效率(VE)、声门血流的AC/DC比率和发声阈值压力(PTP)。新的参数，发声阈值流量(PTF)和发声阈值功率(PTPw)也将被研究。这项研究包括两个相互关联的部分。在第一部分，研究将集中在开发一种更好的计算机辅助设计的气流阻断系统。利用声学自适应模型和有限元分析(FEA)模型，我们将定量描述测量系统的空气动力学，如声音投射以及气流中断期间和之后的压力场和流场。计算机建模将有助于设计和优化测量系统的尺寸和形状的影响。研究将集中在使设计的系统适应人类受试者的问题上。将调查各种口罩和口罩的测量精度和舒适性。音频-喉部反射的影响将被确定，然后通过掩蔽受试者的音频反馈来减少。将开发一种不会停止发声的部分气流中断系统；因此，测量将在发声期间进行，而不是完全中断系统，后者在发声停止后立即进行测量。在第二部分中，将使用在第一部分中开发的改进的测量系统来测量声带小结和息肉、声带瘫痪、喉癌和帕金森病患者的喉功能。使用空气动力学参数区分正常和病理声音的敏感度和特异度将基于接收到的操作特征(ROC)分析进行评估。治疗前后还将测量空气动力学参数，以评估治疗效果。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Human phonation is driven by airflow from the lung. The larynx serves as an energy converter, transferring aerodynamic energy into acoustical energy. Aerodynamic parameters provide a practical assessment for laryngeal function during phonation. Traditional aerodynamic measurement technologies have many limitations. Specifically, measuring airflow after the vocal tract does not represent the driving parameters such as subglottal pressure. Recent progress in research suggests new parameters such as phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and vocal efficiency are essential to represent laryngeal function because they take into account both aerodynamic and acoustic energy forms. A non-invasive aerodynamic measurement system based on flow interruption technology is needed to assess laryngeal function, pathologies, and evaluate the effects of treatment. This proposal focuses on applying current aerodynamic theories and computerized instrumentation to improve methods of assessing laryngeal function. Specifically, we hope this novel system can assess subglottal pressure (SGP), vocal efficiency (VE), AC/DC ratio of glottal flow, and phonation threshold pressure (PTP). New parameters, phonation threshold flow (PTF) and phonation threshold power (PTPw), will also be investigated. The study has two interrelated parts. In part I, research will focus on developing a better airflow interruption system with computer aided design. Using an acoustically adapted model and a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model, we will quantitatively describe the aerodynamics of the measurement system, such as the sound projection and the pressure and flow fields during and after airflow interruption. Computer modeling will help design and optimize the effects of the dimensions and shape of the measurement system. Research will focus on issues in adapting the designed system to human subjects. The measurement accuracy and comfort of various masks and mouthpieces will be investigated. The effects of audio-laryngeal reflexes will be determined, and then reduced by masking the subjects' audio feedback. A partial airflow interruption system will be developed which will not cease phonation; therefore, the measurements will be taken during phonation, as opposed to complete interruption systems that take measurements just after phonation stops. In part II, the improved measurement system developed in part I will be used to measure the laryngeal function of patients with vocal nodules and polyps, vocal fold paralysis, laryngeal carcinoma, and Parkinson's disease. The sensitivity and specificity of distinguishing normal from pathologic voices using aerodynamic parameters will be assessed based on the received operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Aerodynamic parameters will also be measured before and after treatment to evaluate treatment effectiveness.