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This study demonstrates the manufacturing of non-sticky and super-soft vocal fold models by introducing a specific way to create the vocal fold layers, providing a detailed description of the manufacturing procedure, and characterizing the properties of the models.
This study aims to develop super-soft, non-sticky vocal fold models for voice research. The conventional manufacturing process of silicone-based vocal fold models results in models with undesirable properties, such as stickiness and reproducibility issues. Those vocal fold models are prone to rapid aging, leading to poor comparability across different measurements. In this study, we propose a modification to the manufacturing process by changing the order of layering the silicone material, which leads to the production of non-sticky and highly consistent vocal fold models. We also compare a model produced using this method with a conventionally manufactured vocal fold model that is adversely affected by its sticky surface. We detail the manufacturing process and characterize the properties of the models for potential applications. The outcomes of the study demonstrate the efficacy of the modified fabrication method, highlighting the superior qualities of our non-sticky vocal fold models. The findings contribute to the development of realistic and reliable vocal fold models for research and clinical applications.
Vocal fold models are used to simulate and investigate human voice production under normal and pathological conditions1,2. One of the biggest challenges in creating vocal fold models is to achieve a realistic softness and flexibility that closely approximates those of humans. To achieve these properties, silicone elastomers are often used, which are diluted with high amounts of silicone oil to achieve the corresponding elasticity moduli3,4. Another crucial factor in creating realistic vocal fold models is layering, as vocal folds consist of multiple la....
1. Design of the vocal fold models and 3D printing of parts
The fabricated vocal fold model was integrated into the measurement setup depicted in Supplementary Figure 3 at the vocal folds position. The setup, extensively detailed in a previous publication13, comprises a multi-stage controllable airflow source that stimulates the vocal fold models into oscillation, along with an array of measuring instruments that record data such as sound pressure, static pressure at specific positions, and volume velocity. For the measurements, the airflo.......
The manufacturing process presented here involves critical steps that significantly impact its success. Firstly, it should be noted that the presented manufacturing process does not solve the problem of oil saturation in the vocal fold body material but rather circumvents certain negative side effects. The outgassing and the associated shrinkage and surface waviness still persist, albeit to a lesser extent. A solution to these problems would involve the use of an ultra-soft silicone or alternative material that combines .......
This project has been supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), grant no. BI 1639/9-1.
....Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
3D Printer | ULTIMAKER | Type S5 | |
3D Printing software | ULTIMAKER CURA | Version 5.2.2 | |
CAD Software | Autodesk Inventor | Version 2023 | |
High Speed Camera | XIMEA GmbH | MQ013CG-ON | |
PLA+ 3D Printer Material | eSun | none | white |
Primary silicone | KauPo Plankenhorn | 09301-005-000041 | EcoFlex 00-30 |
Release Agent | KauPo Plankenhorn | 09291-006-000001 | UTS Universal |
Secondary silicone | KauPo Plankenhorn | 09301-005-000181 | DragonSkin NV10 |
Silicone Thinner | KauPo Plankenhorn | 09301-010-000002 | |
Tougth PLA 3D Printer Material | BASF | black |
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