A Study on Functional Characteristics of Electrolarynx "Evada" Using Force Sensing Resistor(FSR) Sensor

Force Sensing Resistor(FSR) Sensor를 이용한 전기인공후두 "Evada"의 기능적 특성에 대한 연구

Background and Objectives : Electrolarynx has been used as one of the methods of rehabilitation for the laryngectomees. Previous electrolarynx could not alter frequency and intensity simultaneously. This institute developed an electrolarynx named "Evada" using FSR(force sensing resistor) sensor, which can control the frequency(and/or intensity) simultaneously. This study was performed for the normal control and laryngectomees with three types of electrolarynx (Evada, Servox-inton, Nu-vois) to reveal functional characteristics of Evada Materials and Methods : five laryngectomees and five normal adults were made to express there sentences(discriptive sentence, "You stay here" ; question sentence, "You stay here？" ; exclamation sentence, "You!! stay here!"), using three types of electrolarynx. Frequency change and intensity change from first and last vowel was calculated in three sentences and analyzed statistically by paired T-test. Results : The frequency change in the question sentence and exclamation sentence was more prominent in Evada than in Servox-inton and Nu-vois. The intensity change in the question sentence and exclamation sentence was also more prominent in Evada than in Servox-inton and Nu-vois. Conclusions : Evada could control frequency and intensity simultaneously and control degree of frequency(and/or intensity) according to the pressing force into the button. Evada could adjust continuously frequency and intensity during conversation. So, Evada is better in producing intonation and contrastive stress than Nu-vois and Servox-inton.