METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION
First Claim
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1. A device supported by a subject or by an investigator, the device using electronic signals to provide diagnostic data indicating an area of opening between vocal folds of vocal cords of subject, whether vocal folds of vocal cords are opened or closed as an indication of vocal cord dysfunction, the device comprising:
- a power source,a signal generator powered by the power source, the signal generator configured to generate electronic signals,a microcontroller configured to transmit, direct, or control the passage of electronic signals,at least one pair of electrodes, the at least one pair of electrodes configured to be disposed adjacent to the vocal cords of the subject, the at least one pair of vocal cords including a first electrode configured to be disposed to one side of the vocal cords and a second electrode configured to be disposed to the other side of the vocal cords, wherein the transmission of electronic signals between the at least one pair of electrodes and through the vocal cords of the subject provides diagnostic data indicating an open position or a closed position of the subject'"'"'s vocal cords, andmemory configured to record diagnostic data.
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Abstract
Methods for diagnosing and treating vocal cord dysfunction by recording the position of the vocal cords of a subject during a monitoring period are disclosed. Portable devices are disclosed using electronic signals to provide diagnostic data indicating a subject'"'"'s closed or open vocal cords to diagnose and treat vocal cord dysfunction. Corresponding software and circuitry are also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device supported by a subject or by an investigator, the device using electronic signals to provide diagnostic data indicating an area of opening between vocal folds of vocal cords of subject, whether vocal folds of vocal cords are opened or closed as an indication of vocal cord dysfunction, the device comprising:
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a power source, a signal generator powered by the power source, the signal generator configured to generate electronic signals, a microcontroller configured to transmit, direct, or control the passage of electronic signals, at least one pair of electrodes, the at least one pair of electrodes configured to be disposed adjacent to the vocal cords of the subject, the at least one pair of vocal cords including a first electrode configured to be disposed to one side of the vocal cords and a second electrode configured to be disposed to the other side of the vocal cords, wherein the transmission of electronic signals between the at least one pair of electrodes and through the vocal cords of the subject provides diagnostic data indicating an open position or a closed position of the subject'"'"'s vocal cords, and memory configured to record diagnostic data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of diagnosing vocal cord dysfunction by recording the position of the vocal cords of a subject during a monitoring period, the method comprises the steps of:
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evaluating a subject for asthma or vocal cord dysfunction, providing the subject with a recording device which measures the area of opening between vocal folds of the vocal cords, the device including at least one pair of electrodes configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the vocal cords of the subject, monitoring the subject for a period of time, transmitting electronic signals between the at least one pair of electrodes, recording data indicating an open position or a closed position of the subject'"'"'s vocal cords during the monitoring period of time, and analyzing data to diagnose vocal cord dysfunction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device using electronic signals to provide diagnostic data indicating a subject'"'"'s closed or open vocal cords during vocal cord dysfunction, the device comprising:
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a signal generator configured to generate a sinusoidal AC voltage waveform, a voltage-to-current converter configured to generate a constant current amplitude and alternating voltage, a switch configured to couple the constant current amplitude and alternating voltage to an electrode, a pair of electrodes configured to transmit the constant current amplitude and alternating voltage across the vocal cords of the subject, a root-mean-square detector to measure the relative impedance across the vocal cords, a microcontroller configured to transmit, direct or digitize the measured relative impedance, and memory configured to store electronic signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification