Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis Insertion Kit

Mike Hixson

Josh Fox

Sponsor: Dr. Terry Day (Otolaryngology)

Objectives

Develop tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis insertion kit

• To be used prior to insertion of Blom-Singer prosthesis

• Will create kit specific to tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) procedure, eliminating the borrowing of equipment from other fields

Relevance

• There are about 50,000 post-laryngectomy patients living in the U.S.

• 12,500 new cases of laryngeal cancer are diagnosed each year, and approximately 9,000 of these patients survive treatment

• We estimate 2,500 - 3,500 patients could benefit from our product each year

Post-Laryngectomy Voice Restoration

Artificial Larynx (Electrical) Esophageal Speech

TEP Combined with Blom-Singer Voice Prosthesis

• Back of trachea punctured, creating a passageway between trachea and esophagus

• Blom-Singer device is inserted as a valve between the trachea and esophagus

• Prosthesis allows for flow of air in one direction while blocking backflow of food and liquids

Blom-Singer Voice Prostheses

Low Pressure Voice Prosthesis Duckbill Voice Prosthesis

Indwelling Voice Prosthesis

Our Design

• Prototypes are made out of stainless steel, actual product will be made of plastic (possibly PVC)

• Hook extends into device cavity 3mm

•Standard red rubber catheter included in package

How is our device used?

Puncture hole made with our device

Forceps used to pull device through esophagoscope

Device removed and catheter forced back down esophagus

Future Work

• Build prototype with shown specifications

• Dr. Day will test our prototype during his next TEP procedure

• Contact manufacturers about implementing our design and packaging it with a red rubber catheter