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The Vocal Tract Development lab (VT Lab) plans to compare anatomic measurements secured from Acoustic reflection technology (ART)- also known as acoustic pharyngometry with measurements secured from imaging studies (MRI & CT). For the purpose of measurement reliability a stand needs to be developed for the ART wave tube. ART is a non-invasive, objective assessment of the vocal tract, which provides the cross-sectional area and volume of the upper airway. Acoustic Reflection Technique (ART) entails for the participant to exhale slowly into a wave tube. The wave tube has a mouth piece that keeps the subject’s tongue in position not blocking the airway - and ensures that all exhaled air passes through it. Sounds waves are emitted and the system’s microphone captures the acoustic reflections of the airway. The system then measures the amplitude of the reflections and time of arrival at the microphone and constructs a plot of airway area and distance from the lips/teeth (0 point on x-axis) to the glottis (Xue & Hao, 2006). Although ART has been available for about two decades (Fredberg et al, 1980; Hoffstein & Fredberg, 1991), only a limited number of studies that have examined the actual anatomic correlates of ART. Of those studies, only select ART measurements have been studied and those are reported to match with anatomic measurements obtained through MRI (Tameem & Mehta, 2004) and CT (D’Urzo et al, 1987; D’Urzo et al., 1988). Currently, researchers in the VT Lab need to hold the wave tube in their hands which is presenting variability in the data. It is difficult to hold the wave tube at the same angle during each trial within subjects and across subjects. Hood Laboratories, the company who makes AR technology, reports that they will not be offering an adjustable stand at this time or in the near future to keep the wave tube stable while testing in the upright and supine position. We plan to design and build a steady stand for the ART wave tube. The stand should be adjustable so that it may be used by individuals of different ages -- young children to adult. Also, the stand must allow the patient’s head to remain in a standardized position in the upright and supine position. Another important criterion is that the stand/unit should be easy to clean and disinfect.
Ben Engel, Andrew Bremer, Ryan Carroll, Jeremy Glynn
Ryan participating in a study for the VT lab involving ART.
Jeremy volunteering for a VT study using ART.
We have completed this project.
Our completed prototype
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1681&brandID=2
This Samson MB1-Mini Boom Stand provides the base for our wave tube stand.
We replaced the interface on the boom stand with one that is compatible with the wave tube.
Our completed prototype’s interface
This interface attachs to the boom stand from the bottom. Rubber straps along with a silicone interior surface support the wave tube, especially when the stand is rotated when the patient is in a supine position.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7 | Assign team roles, arrange first meeting with client, background research on ART |
| 2 | September 14 | First meeting with client, volunteer for Vocal Tract Lab study using ART, team brainstorming meeting |
| 3 | September 21 | Project Design Specifications, research possible base designs |
| 4 | September 28 | Brainstorming on design, initiate project website |
| 5 | October 5 | Research possible base designs, sketch preliminary prototype designs, client meeting for Wave Tube dimensions |
| 6 | October 12 | Purchase boom stand for modification and different tacky surfaces for interface, prepare and present mid-semester presentation |
| 7 | October 19 | Write mid-semester report, purchase materials |
| 8 | October 26 | Obtain materials |
| 9 | November 2 | Order and obtain materials, ensured boom stand was shipped |
| 10 | November 9 | Construct prototype, test Silicone with Caviwipe disinfectant, purchase hardware and assemble interface connection |
| 11 | November 16 | Construct prototype, purchase and obtain mill bit, cut HDPE block to size, face block to obtain smooth edges |
| 12 | November 23 | Construct prototype, mill interface |
| 13 | November 30 | construct prototype, size and glue silicone to HDPE, debur sharp edges, client meeting to ensure snug fit of wave tube, add markings to stand, assemble rubber straps and pins for straps |
| 14 | December 7 | Give final presentation, write final report, deliver prototype to client |
| 15 | December 14 |
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Project Design Specifications (Oct 15 2007, 28 kb) |
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Midsemester Presentation (Oct 18 2007, 2070 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Oct 24 2007, 401 kb) |
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Final Presentation (Dec 11 2007, 801 kb) |
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Final Report (Dec 11 2007, 399 kb) |
