UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
Laryngeal Biomechanics
Lab Research
Current Projects
Identify underlying mechanisms of phonation in normal and pathological voice
Our lab was the first to measure intraglottal flow during phonation in a tissue model of the larynx. As a significant contribution to voice research, our work first showed that vortical structures (i.e., vortices) form in the glottis during the closing phase of vocal folds vibration. Auxiliary to this work, we also extracted the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds' tissue. This body of work clarifies how the glottal shape, which is formed by the elastic properties of the tissue, affects the glottal flow characteristics and the aerodynamic forces acting on the folds during vibrations. By integrating engineering expertise with surgical experience, our lab successfully assessed and quantified differences between various vocal fold asymmetries and laryngeal surgeries.
Aeroacoustic and flow modeling of speech disorders due to velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
We investigate sound source mechanisms that affect speech disorders caused by VPI. Our work detailed how the airflow dynamically changed as a function of the velopharyngeal (VP) opening. We identified that as the velopharyngeal opening decreased, there was a critical size in which turbulence in the nasal cavity began to decline, subsequently reducing the sound produced by the airflow. These findings explain why nasal decongestants can temporarily reduce or eliminate audible nasal emission. They also explain why clinicians sometimes observe a "pinhole" sized velopharyngeal opening in patients with normal speech.al folds vibration. Auxiliary to this work, we also extracted the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds' tissue. This body of work clarifies how the glottal shape, which is formed by the elastic properties of the tissue, affects the glottal flow characteristics and the aerodynamic forces acting on the folds during vibrations. By integrating engineering expertise with surgical experience, our lab successfully assessed and quantified differences between various vocal fold asymmetries and laryngeal surgeries.
VortexPAP – innovative CPAP therapy for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic sleep-related breathing disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow despite an ongoing effort to breathe. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is considered first-line therapy for OSA. CPAP prevents the collapse of the soft tissues and airway obstruction. All existing CPAP devices require a tightly sealed interface between the mask and the patient's face. We are developing new technology that modifies the airflow that enters the patient's airway by leveraging the properties of pulsating airflow. Pulsating airflow can pressurize the airway without a seal interface (i.e., a tight-fitting mask). This technology will make CPAP therapy using VortexPAP better tolerated, subsequently increasing patient compliance, especially among those whose nonadherence to therapy is related to their current CPAP mask.
Interested in seeing more? Please click here for past projects.
Or contact us if you would like to learn more about our research or are interested in joining our lab.
