Laser projection in high-speed glottography for high-precision measurements of laryngeal dimensions and dynamics

Abstract

The detection of metric dimensions of laryngeal structures yields valuable information for both clinical and research purposes. The use of a laser projection system combined with a high-speed camera system enables the derivation of absolute spatial dimensions of the larynx. Vocal fold length, vibratory amplitudes and velocity can be derived. This was shown on 13 female and 9 male larynges during phonation of a vowel at different pitches. The vocal fold length, the amplitude of oscillation and the velocity of vibration were analyzed in between pitches of 119 to 236 Hz in the male group and 181 to 555 Hz in the female group. The vocal folds' length ranged from 8.4 to 14.3 mm in the male group and from 7.7 to 15.6 mm in the female group. Corresponding amplitudes varied from 0.33 to 1.24 mm (male) and from 0.38 to 0.82 mm (female). The maximal velocity of vibration was between 0.48 and 0.85 m/s in males and between 0.47 and 1.3 m/s in females without showing significant correlation between each parameter. The described technique enables the detection of absolute spatial laryngeal dimensions of female and male subjects at different pitches. Dynamic processes such as velocity of vibration can be quantified. The detection of metric data serves to optimize biomechanical model computations and provides valuable information in diagnostics and interpretation of organic and non-organic voice disorders.