Artificial larynx
US4672673A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2/20
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a completely self-contained intraoral larynx comprising a power source, tongue activated controls, power saving signal generation circuitry, acoustic and audio amplifiers, and an intra-oral speaker. These components are contained within an otherwise conventional denture or dental prosthesis. The device produces a high amplitude sound while minimizing current drain from the power source. Laryngectomized patients require only short term training by a speech pathologist to use this device. Intelligible speech is usual within an hour of such training, and facility rapidly improves. The psychological barriers, post-operative physical limitations, aesthetic concerns and limited gestural communication traditionally associated with the use of extra-oral larynges is eliminated by the present invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.