Changes in Vocal Fold Morphology During Singing Over Two Octaves

Method for Horizontal Calibration of Laser-Projection Transnasal Fiberoptic High-Speed Videoendoscopy

Objective:

Calibrated horizontal measurements (e.g., mm) from endoscopic procedures could be utilized for advancement of evidence-based practice and personalized medicine. However, the size of an object in endoscopic images is not readily calibrated and depends on multiple factors, including the distance between the endoscope and the target surface. Additionally, acquired images may have significant non-linear distortion that would further complicate calibrated measurements. This study used a recently developed in-vivo laser-projection fiberoptic laryngoscope and proposes a method for calibrated spatial measurements.

Method:

A set of circular grids were recorded at multiple working distances. A statistical model was trained that would map from pixel length of the object, the working distance, and the spatial location of the target object into its mm length.

Result:

A detailed analysis of the performance of the proposed method is presented. The analyses have shown that the accuracy of the proposed method does not depend on the working distance and length of the target object. The estimated average magnitude of error was 0.27 mm, which is three times lower than the existing alternative.

Conclusion:

The presented method can achieve sub-millimeter accuracy in horizontal measurement.

Significance:

Evidence-based practice and personalized medicine could significantly benefit from the proposed method. Implications of the findings for other endoscopic procedures are also discussed.

A three-dimensional vocal fold posturing model based on muscle mechanics and magnetic resonance imaging of a canine larynx

In this work, a high-fidelity three-dimensional continuum model of the canine laryngeal framework was developed for simulating laryngeal posturing. By building each muscle and cartilage from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the model is highly realistic in anatomy. The muscle mechanics is modeled using the finite-element method. The model was tested by simulating vocal fold postures under systematic activations of individual as well as groups of laryngeal muscles, and it accurately predicted vocal fold posturing parameters reported from in vivo canine larynges. As a demonstration of its application, the model was then used to investigate muscle controls of arytenoid movements, medial surface morphology, and vocal fold abduction. The results show that the traditionally categorized adductor and abductor muscles can have opposite effects on vocal fold posturing, making highly complex laryngeal adjustments in speech and singing possible. These results demonstrate that a realistic comprehensive larynx model is feasible, which is a critical step toward a causal physics-based model of voice production.