Fabrication of a prosthesis that regains function of articulation and deglutition

Research Project

Project/Area Number	12671890
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	補綴理工系歯学
Research Institution	The University of Tokushima
Principal Investigator	KUBO Yoshihiro The University of Tokushima, University Dental Hospital, Associate Professor, 歯学部・附属病院, 助教授 (50136686)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	NAKAGAWA Hiroshi The University of Tokushima, University Dental Hospital, Assistant Professor, 歯学部・附属病院, 助手 (70192218) KAWANO Fumiaki The University of Tokushima, University Dental Hospital, Lecturer, 歯学部・附属病院, 講師 (60195120) TAKEUCHI Hisahiro The University of Tokushima, University Dental Hospital, Lecturer, 歯学部・附属病院, 講師 (10222093)
Project Period (FY)	2000 – 2001
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2001)
Budget Amount *help	¥4,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,000,000) Fiscal Year 2001: ¥800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000) Fiscal Year 2000: ¥3,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000)
Keywords	regain of articulation / regain of deglutition / speech-bulb prosthesis / palatal augmentation prosthesis / speech signal analyzing device / nasopharyngeal fiberscopy / palatogram / 鼻咽腔閉鎖
Research Abstract	1. A set of speech signal analyzing devise for articulation was purchased for this research. 2. The size and shape of a speech-bulb for hard and soft palate defect patients (subjects) were determined by using nasopharyngeal fiberscope. This speech-bulb prosthesis enabled them to regain velopharyngeal function, articulation function, and deglutition function. 3. The shape of a palatal augmentation prosthesis for tongue defect patients (subjects) was determined by palatogram with alginate powder material and by water drinking test. This palatal augmentation prosthesis enabled them to regain articulation function and deglutition function. 4. The prosthesis was modified and adjusted in our clinic by clinical functional tests such as pronunciation test, water drinking test and so on. Speech and articulation of subjects were recorded by DAT (digital audio tape) taperecorder both with prosthesis and without prosthesis. Sound spectogram was analyzed by speech signal analyzing system with a personal computer in our laboratory, and data were stored in MO disc. 5. Subjects with functionally satisfactory results had a videofuluorogram during swallowing. Some selected stop frames from the videordemonstrating various components of oropharyngeal phase were stored in MO disc for playback or shooting photographs and slides. Prior to our research the informed consent was obtained from our subjects (patients). During the research privacy of subjects was protected.