Shape optimization of neck myoelectric signal control-type speaking valve

A speaking valve is one of the speech assistance devices, and it is used for speech cannula and tracheal opening retainer user. Conventional speaking valves have one-way valve mechanism, they open when the user breathes in, and they close when user breathes out and produces a voice. This type is very simple and tough, but it has a problem about closeness of the user. This problem is caused by its mechanism what can not be controlled by user´s will. Therefore, we proposed a myoelectric control-type speaking valve. This valve can be controlled by the myoelectric signal of sternohyoid muscle. From our previous results, it was clarified that this valve had better performance about easy-to-breath. But, the previous valve was too big and heavy to carry. In this report, we describe the development of compact myoelectric control-type speaking valve system. The new-type speaking valve is enough small to attach the human body, and its opening is larger than that of conventional speaking valve. Furthermore, the shape of flow channel is optimized by FEM analysis. According to the result of this analysis, this valve gets the low flow resistance channel.