Granted Patent B2

US 9,084,675 · App. 13/737,382 · Granted Jul 21, 2015

Abstract

Claims (27)

1. A vocal fold movement translation device, comprising:

a reverse motion linkage configured to interface with a first vocal fold and a second vocal fold, wherein the reverse motion linkage includes a mechanical component configured to move the first vocal fold in a first movement direction in response to movement of the second vocal fold in a second movement direction that is opposite the first movement direction;

wherein the reverse motion linkage is movable between a first configuration corresponding to an abducted position of the first and second vocal folds and a second configuration corresponding to an adducted position of the first and second vocal folds.

2. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 1 , wherein the reverse motion linkage includes a first lever configured for attachment to a first cartilage supporting the first vocal fold and a second lever configured for attachment to a second cartilage supporting the second vocal fold.

3. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 2 , wherein the reverse motion linkage includes a single linkage mechanism interconnecting the first and second levers.

4. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 3 , wherein the single linkage mechanism includes a rack and pinion mechanism.

5. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 4 , wherein the first lever includes a first toothed rack portion and the second lever includes a second toothed rack portion, wherein the first toothed rack portion is in mesh with a first pinion gear and the second toothed rack portion is in mesh with a second pinion gear.

6. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 5 , wherein the first vocal fold corresponds to a non-working vocal fold and the second vocal fold corresponds to a working vocal fold, wherein, during a rotation of the first and second pinion gears, a travel distance of the second lever is greater than a travel distance of the first lever.

7. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 5 , wherein the first and second pinion gears are supported on a housing at a common axis of rotation, wherein the housing is configured for attachment to a laryngeal wall.

8. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 3 , wherein the single linkage mechanism includes a center lever supported on a housing at a fixed pivot axis, wherein a first end of the center lever is movably attached to the first lever at a first movable pivot axis and a second end of the center lever is movably attached to the second lever at a second movable pivot axis.

9. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 8 , wherein the first vocal fold corresponds to a non-working vocal fold and the second vocal fold corresponds to a working vocal fold, wherein the fixed pivot axis is closer to the first movable pivot axis than the second movable pivot axis.

10. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 8 , wherein the housing is configured for attachment to a laryngeal wall.

11. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 2 , wherein the reverse motion linkage includes two linkage mechanisms.

12. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 11 , wherein each of the two linkage mechanisms includes a center lever supported on a housing at a fixed pivot axis, wherein the center lever is movably attached to the first lever at a first movable pivot axis and movably attached to the second lever at a second movable pivot axis.

13. The vocal fold movement translation device of claim 12 , further including a spring mechanism configured to bias the reverse motion linkage toward the first configuration.

14. A method of operating a vocal fold movement translation device, comprising steps of:

interfacing with a non-working vocal fold and a working vocal fold using a reverse motion linkage of the vocal fold movement translation device;

receiving an indication of a movement of the working vocal fold in a first movement direction at the reverse motion linkage; and

moving the non-working vocal fold in a second movement direction using a mechanical component of the reverse motion linkage in response to the movement of the working vocal fold, wherein the second movement direction is opposite the first movement direction.

15. The method of claim 14 , further including moving the reverse motion linkage between a first configuration corresponding to an abducted position of the non-working and working vocal folds and a second configuration corresponding to an adducted position of the non-working and working vocal folds.

16. The method of claim 15 , further including:

attaching a first lever to a first cartilage supporting the non-working vocal fold and attaching a second lever to a second cartilage of the working vocal fold; and

interconnecting the first and second levers through a linkage mechanism.

17. The method of claim 16 , further including translating a travel distance of the second lever into a travel distance of the first lever using a rack and pinion mechanism.

18. The method of claim 16 , further including translating a travel distance of the second lever into a travel distance of the first lever using a center lever having a fixed pivot axis, wherein the center lever is movably attached to the first lever at a first movable pivot axis and movably attached to the second lever at a second movable pivot axis.

19. The method of claim 16 , further including biasing the reverse motion linkage toward the first configuration.

20. The method of claim 16 , further including attaching a housing of the linkage mechanism to a laryngeal wall.

Assignments (6)