| 摘要 |
The present application discloses an artificial syrinx for location in the trachea of a patient. The artificial syrinx comprises a conduit 91 for intubation in the trachea 90, and means for vibrating exhaled air within the trachea. The means for vibrating the air comprises at least one membrane, preferably two inflatable bladder membranes (see figure 5) of silicone rubber for altering the fundamental frequency, with inflation being under patient control. The conduit may form part of a tracheostomy tube, where the vibration means is located in a fenestration in the tracheostomy tube. In use, air enters the tracheostomy tube by an inferior fenestration and exits past the membranes in a superior fenestration 97. A voice prosthesis comprising an artificial syrinx, methods for manufacturing a fenestrated tracheostomy tube, methods for performing a tracheostomy and/or returning speech to a patient and methods for preparing an artificial syrinx for implantation into the trachea of a patient are also provided. |
