Patent ID: 6030350
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A device for measuring a phonation threshold pressure in a human comprising:a housing having a first opening and a second opening;a member adapted for receiving an airflow from a human's mouth or from a human's mouth and nose and for conveying the airflow into the first opening of the housing, the member comprising a connector adapted for connecting the member to the first opening of the housing;a valve having at least an open and a closed position, the valve being positioned with respect to the first and second openings of the housing so that the valve can completely obstruct air flow through the housing when it is in the closed position, the valve being connected to a valve controller, the valve controller being connected to a valve switch which can generate an electrical signal, the valve controller being adapted to open and close the valve in response to the signal from the valve switch;a microphone positioned in the housing so as to detect the level of sound in the housing, the microphone being capable of generating an electrical signal in response to the level of sound detected by the microphone, the microphone being connected to an acoustic signal amplifier which amplifies the electrical signal generated by the microphone; anda pressure sensor connected to the housing so as to be able to detect the level of pressure between the first opening of the housing and the valve, the pressure sensor being capable of generating an electrical signal in response to the level of pressure detected by the pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being connected to a pressure signal amplifier which amplifies the electrical signal generated by the pressure sensor;the valve switch, acoustic signal amplifier, and pressure signal amplifier being connected to a data acquisition and processing unit that receives and processes the signals from the valve switch and the two amplifers to provide at least the sound levels and pressures necessary for the calculation of the phonation threshold pressure.