Virtual cell phone stroboscopy for visualization of vocal fold vibration

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Laryngology is the study and treatment of the voice box and its function with respect to speaking, breathing and swallowing. Analysis and treatment of various conditions ranging from life-threatening airway distress to hoarseness requires access to specialized equipment. Clearwater Clinical recently developed a practice-changing way to record high-definition video from existing endoscopic equipment using a cell phone. However, analysis of rapid laryngeal motion requires either a super high-speed camera (3600 frames per second (fps)) or an expensive stroboscope. Traditional stroboscsopy uses a synchronized, flashing light to observe the vocal folds in apparent slow motion. The images captured through a mobile device cannot be slowed down sufficiently to be clinically useful. Maximum frame rates of mobile devices currently vary from 30-120 fps. This is much too slow to adequately visualize the larynx. However the smartphone's capacity to store both sound and images may enable the same "stroboscopic-like" functionality when performed in software. Development of a software based stroboscope will democratize access to endoscopic equipment for laryngology by obviating the need for the specialized hardware and instead replace it with a low-cost and far-reaching technology. In doing so it would improve laryngology locally and around the world.