VOCAL CORD MEDIALIZING DEVICE

摘要

An adjustable prosthetic device for medializing a paralyzed vocal cord. The device includes a guiding sleeve which defines a channel. The channel is closed at one end thereof by a base wall. The guiding sleeve is configured and sized so as to be insertable in a window formed in the thyroid cartilage of a patient. A biasing block is slidably inserted in the channel. The biasing block is movable between a retracted position wherein the biasing block is in a substantially proximal relationship relatively to the base wall, and a protracted position wherein the biasing block is in a substantially spaced relationship relatively to the base wall. An adjustment screw is provided for moving the biasing block between its protracted and retracted positions. The adjustment screw is rotatably attached to the sleeve base wall and is threadaly attached to the biasing block. A pair of substantially "Y"-shaped anchoring structures extends integrally and substantially outwardly from the opposed end peripheral edges of the base wall. Each anchoring structure includes a substantially annular-shaped main fixing ring and a pair of substantially annular-shaped auxiliary fixing rings. The auxiliary fixing rings are substantially symmetrically disposed relatively to the main fixing ring. The main fixing ring and the auxiliary fixing rings are adapted to receive a corresponding set of anchoring screws for fixing the device on the thyroid cartilage of the patient.