This research project consists of biomechanical investigations of the function of the human larynx in phonation.
Specific aims are (1) to quantify the mechanical stress pattern in the vocal folds for specific modes of vibration, (2) to measure the biomechanical properties (viscoelastic and vibrational) of larynx tissues examined molecularly in Project R2, (3) to discover the optimum synthetic materials and geometry of a mechanical model of the vocal fold mucosa, (4) to quantify the effects of asymmetry of the vocal folds, using methods of nonlinear dynamics, (5) to develop an index of vocal efficiency (or economy) that includes tissue collision and internal mechanical stress as a cost factor. Together, the studies constitute an investigation of the physical and biomechanic properties of the major sound source in speech production. The outcome of the studies will have direct impact on diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders. In particular, the direct tie to the molecular investigations by Dr. Gray in Project R2 will lay the groundwork for understanding the etiology of benign vocal lesions, such as nodules, polyps, contact ulcers, and granulomas. Experimental procedures include the use of excised human and animal tissue as well as human subjects. The bulk of the parametric experimentation, however, is done on physical and computer simulation models. In particular, a finite-element simulation model of vocal fold vibration is used to integrate fragmentary pieces of information obtained in isolated experiments. This allows for a high degree of theoretical interpretability of the data obtained from isolated tissue and human subjects.

Project Start
1999-09-01
Project End
2001-08-31
Budget Start
1997-10-01
Budget End
1998-09-30
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Type
DUNS #
041294109
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
Robin, Donald A; Jacks, Adam; Hageman, Carlin et al. (2008) Visuomotor tracking abilities of speakers with apraxia of speech or conduction aphasia. Brain Lang 106:98-106
Palmer, Phyllis M; Jaffe, Debra M; McCulloch, Timothy M et al. (2008) Quantitative contributions of the muscles of the tongue, floor-of-mouth, jaw, and velum to tongue-to-palate pressure generation. J Speech Lang Hear Res 51:828-35
Ballard, K J; Robin, D A (2007) Influence of continual biofeedback on jaw pursuit-tracking in healthy adults and in adults with apraxia plus aphasia. J Mot Behav 39:19-28
Luschei, Erich S; Ramig, Lorraine O; Finnegan, Eileen M et al. (2006) Patterns of laryngeal electromyography and the activity of the respiratory system during spontaneous laughter. J Neurophysiol 96:442-50
Solomon, Nancy Pearl; Robin, Donald A (2005) Perceptions of effort during handgrip and tongue elevation in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 11:353-61
Kuehn, David P; Moon, Jerald B (2005) Histologic study of intravelar structures in normal human adult specimens. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 42:481-9
Solomon, Nancy Pearl (2004) Assessment of tongue weakness and fatigue. Int J Orofacial Myology 30:8-19
Ramig, Lorraine Olson; Fox, Cynthia; Sapir, Shimon (2004) Parkinson's disease: speech and voice disorders and their treatment with the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. Semin Speech Lang 25:169-80
Ritchie, Justine M; Smith, Elaine M; Summersgill, Kurt F et al. (2003) Human papillomavirus infection as a prognostic factor in carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Int J Cancer 104:336-44
Finnegan, Eileen M; Luschei, Erich S; Barkmeier, Julie M et al. (2003) Synchrony of laryngeal muscle activity in persons with vocal tremor. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 129:313-8

Showing the most recent 10 out of 151 publications