Medical devices, systems, and kits for the medialization of a vocal cord
Medical devices, systems, methods, and kits for the medialization of a vocal cord are described. A method comprises creating a passageway in thyroid cartilage of a patient, advancing a light source through the passageway, activating the light source, viewing light emitted from the light source to confirm placement of the passageway relative to the vocal cord, and advancing a medical device through the passageway to move the vocal cord toward a midline of the larynx of the patient.
1. A method of medializing a vocal cord within the larynx of a patient, comprising:
making an incision over the thyroid cartilage of said patient;
dissecting soft tissue underlying the incision to expose the lateral aspect of the thyroid cartilage of said patient;
drilling a hole in the thyroid cartilage of said patient at a point half way between the anterior and posterior aspects of the thyroid cartilage;
placing a light source through the hole;
viewing light emitted from the light source; and
advancing a medical device through the hole to move said vocal cord toward a midline of said larynx to achieve an artificial placement of said vocal cord.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising enlarging the hole in the thyroid cartilage before advancing a medical device through the hole.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the enlarging is performed subsequent to the viewing.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising continuing the advancing of a medical device to adjust the position of the medical device and the artificial placement of the vocal cord until a desired artificial placement is achieved.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receding the medical device to adjust the position of the medical device and the artificial placement of the vocal cord until a desired artificial placement is achieved.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising drilling a second hole in the thyroid cartilage of said patient.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising advancing a second medical device through the second hole to move a vocal cord of said patient toward a midline of said larynx to achieve an artificial placement of the vocal cord.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising having the patient speak in a normal voice, shout, and sing following the advancing a medical device through the hole.
9. A method of medializing a vocal cord within the larynx of a patient, comprising:
making an incision over the thyroid cartilage of said patient;
dissecting soft tissue underlying the incision to expose the lateral aspect of the thyroid cartilage of said patient;
drilling a passageway in the thyroid cartilage of said patient;
introducing a delivery system into the passageway, the delivery system comprising a light source;
confirming placement of the passageway by visualizing light generated by the light source; and
advancing a medical device through the passageway to move said vocal cord toward a midline of said larynx to achieve an artificial placement of said vocal cord.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising continuing the advancing of a medical device to adjust the position of the medical device and the artificial placement of the vocal cord until a desired artificial placement is achieved.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising removing the delivery system from the passageway and passing the delivery system through a medical device adapted to move said vocal cord toward a midline of said larynx to achieve an artificial placement of said vocal cord before the advancing.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising enlarging the passageway in the thyroid cartilage before advancing a medical device through the passageway.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the enlarging is performed subsequent to the confirming.
14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising introducing a delivery tool into the medical device.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the delivery tool is configured to engage the medical device.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising applying torque to the delivery tool to achieve the advancing.
17. The method of claim 9 , further comprising receding the medical device to adjust the position of the medical device and the artificial placement of the vocal cord until a desired artificial placement is achieved.
18. The method of claim 9 , further comprising having the patient speak in a normal voice, shout, and sing following the advancing a medical device through the passageway.
19. The method of claim 9 , wherein the advancing a medical device through the passageway is performed while said patient is phonating.
20. A method of medializing a vocal cord within the larynx of a patient, comprising:
creating a passageway in thyroid cartilage of said patient;
advancing a light source through the passageway;
activating the light source to emit light;
confirming a desired placement of the passageway relative to said vocal cord by visualizing light emitted from the light source relative to said vocal cord; and
advancing a medical device through the passageway to move said vocal cord toward a midline of said larynx of said patient.