• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 1997

In this Paper, we developed an electrolarynx controlled by the EMG(electromyography) of the sternohyoid muscle, and rested the property of the new electrolarynx while normal persons with his own larynx use it. for the examination of property of the developed electrolarynx, our researchers performed three different experiments. The first experiment was tested whether that on/off control of the vibrator of the electrolarynx is synchronized with the activity of the sternohyoid EMG. In the second experiment, it was tested when the lower amplitude of the sternohyoid EMG is produced, whether the higher pitch of the electrolarynx is produced, and vice versa. The third experiment was tested the probability that the electrolarynx can produce the voiceless sound. As the results, we found that the developed electrolarynx had the good produce of the on/off vibrator control and the pitch control of the electrolarynx. Also, we ascertained the possibility that it can produce the voiceless sound.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 1996

We have been studying an implant type EMG-controlled electrolarynx. First of all, we propose the sternohyoid muscle(SH) as a control source of the electrolarynx. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility that subjects control voluntarily the constriction of their SH, and produce the control signals of electrolarynx. For this pwnan, we carried out four experiments regarding the control of the electrolarynx. At the results, we found that subjects can control the start/stop of constriction and the amplitude of EMG of their SH. Also, we ascertained the possibility that the start/stop of contraction of SH controls OW/OFF of sound source of the electrolarynx and the amplitude of UG of SH controls the pitch frequency of the electrolarynx.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 1989

Methods of voice rehabilitation in laryngectomees include training of esophageal speech, use of electrolarynx and pneumatic speech aid and surgical methods, etc. In this paper, we introduce the experimental model of obturator-type electrolarynx which has several advantages for use such as ease of learning, no disagreeable appearance, and both hands not being occupied. We compared it to normal voice and other voice rehabilitation methods such as esophageal voice, japanese pneumatic speech aid and cervical electrolarynx in intelligibility and sonagraphic evaluation. The results are as follows; 1) Obturator-type electrolarynx exhibited the lowest intelligibility. 2) In sonagraphic evaluation, the spectrogram produced by the obturator-type electrolarynx was the most different from those of normal voice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 1998

Background and Objectives : Electrolarynx has been used as one of the methods of rehabilitation for the laryngectomees. Previous electrolarynx could not alter frequency and intensity simultaneously. This institute developed an electrolarynx named "Evada" using FSR(force sensing resistor) sensor, which can control the frequency(and/or intensity) simultaneously. This study was performed for the normal control and laryngectomees with three types of electrolarynx (Evada, Servox-inton, Nu-vois) to reveal functional characteristics of Evada Materials and Methods : five laryngectomees and five normal adults were made to express there sentences(discriptive sentence, "You stay here" ; question sentence, "You stay here？" ; exclamation sentence, "You!! stay here!"), using three types of electrolarynx. Frequency change and intensity change from first and last vowel was calculated in three sentences and analyzed statistically by paired T-test. Results : The frequency change in the question sentence and exclamation sentence was more prominent in Evada than in Servox-inton and Nu-vois. The intensity change in the question sentence and exclamation sentence was also more prominent in Evada than in Servox-inton and Nu-vois. Conclusions : Evada could control frequency and intensity simultaneously and control degree of frequency(and/or intensity) according to the pressing force into the button. Evada could adjust continuously frequency and intensity during conversation. So, Evada is better in producing intonation and contrastive stress than Nu-vois and Servox-inton.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1996 no.05
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• pp.184-187
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• 1996

We have been studying an implantable electrolarynx controlled by the EMG of the sternohyoid muscle(SH). Generally, the pitch control methods of the electrolarynx by SH EMG have two types. In the first pitch control method, the pitch of the electrolarynx increases according to the decrease in amplitude of the SH EMG, and vice versa. In the second pitch control method, the pitch of the electrolarynx decreases according to the decrease in amplitude of the SH EMG, and vice versa. We carried out four physiological experiments about two pitch control method. Also, we made two electrolarynges with two type pitch control, and tested those electrolarynges. From the result of the experiments, we found that the developed electrolarynx have a good property by the first pitch control method more than the second pitch control method.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 2003

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2001

Denture-type Electrolarynx is being watched recently because it is easy to control the pitch and volume and it is not exposed on the outside. This system consists of three pars. The first is the Oral-Unit part, which contains a receiver, a loud speaker, and a rechargeable battery. The others are the Transmitter St Control-Unit Part, and the Charging-Unit part. We have newly developed the Korean Denture-type Electrolarynx : NeoVox. That system is designed considering low-power consumption, wireless charging system, small size and the speaker emphasizing low-frequency. So that the laryngectomees feel comfortable to use it and speak naturally.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2004

Electrolarynx(EL), battery operated vibrators which are held against the neck by on-off button, has been widely used as a verbal communication method among post-laryngectomized patients. EL speech can produce easily without need of any additional surgery or special training and be used with any other methods. This institute developed a neck-typed EL named "Blueton" in commperation with EL Company Linkus, which consists of 3 parts : Vibrator part, Control part, Battery part. In this study we evaluated the acoustic characteristics of the produced voices by Blueton compared with Servox-inton using MDVP. Three EL users (2 full time users, 1 part time user) were participated. The results revelaed that NHR higher in Servox than Blueton and intensity is higher in Blueton than Servox. The spectra for vowels produced by EL speakers are mixed signals combined with talkers' vocal output and electrolarynx noise. The spectra pattern is similar with two ELs. High, SPI index and vowel spectra from MDVP demonstrated characteristics of both electrolarynxes related to noise signal. This finding suggests that Blueton helps to provide one of useful rehabilitation options in the post laryngectomy patients.

• Proceedings of the KSLP Conference
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.91-91
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• 1996

현재 시판되고 있는 전기 인공후두는 손으로 인공후두를 경부에 장착하고, 음의 intensity와 pitch를 변하기 위하여 스위치를 손가락으로 조절해야만 하는데, 실제 회화 중에 잘 조절한다는 것은 거의 불가능하므로, 음질과 명료도가 나쁘며, 발성을 의도했을 때 자유롭게 발성하는 것도 어렵다. 또한 회화 중에는 한손은 항상 전기 인공후두를 위해 사용해야 한다. 이러한 단점을 개선하기 위해, 본 연구에서는 흉골설골근 근전위에 의해 제어되는 인공후두를 제작하여 그 성능을 평가하였다. (중략)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.18-20
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• 2016

Total laryngectomy remains as an important treatment option in selected patients with laryngopharyngeal cancers, which inevitably sacrifices naturally produced voice. Much effort has been devoted to voice restoration for these laryngectomized patients. Several ways of voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy have been developed and utilized thus far, including tracheoesophageal shunt speech, esophageal speech, pneumatic speech aid, and electrolarynx. Of these, tracheoesophageal shunt speech appears to be the most effective voice restoration method, while other trials might also be useful in special situations. Nevertheless, each method has its own unique mechanisms of voice production, thus has its advantages and drawbacks in clinical setting. In this review, we discuss the currently available management options for the rehabilitation of laryngectomized voice.