Virtual cell phone stroboscopy for visualization of vocal fold vibration

喉喉学是研究和治疗喉部及其在说话、呼吸和吞咽方面的功能。分析和治疗各种情况，从危及生命的气道窘迫到声音嘶哑，需要使用专门的设备。清水临床最近开发了一种改变实践的方法，使用手机从现有的内窥镜设备记录高清视频。然而，分析喉部的快速运动需要超高速相机（每秒3600帧）或昂贵的频闪仪。

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.