Thousands of patients worldwide undergo laryngectomy (surgical removal of the larynx, or the voice box) every year. In addition to the direct cost of the procedure and significant follow up costs, there is a large social and personal cost to both the patient and the patient’s family.
The procedure often renders the patient with a permanent stoma in their neck, leaves them with little or no voice and a severely impaired sense of taste and smell, as well as putting them at much greater risk of airway blockage from food and drink that may enter the trachea. Patients are currently unlikely to return to both work and society, with a consequent negative impact on patient quality of life and increase in social costs.
Professor Rossiter, Head of Soft Robotics group at Bristol Robotics Laboratory, and Dr Conn, from the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol, used their Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Knowledge Transfer (TRACK) award to investigate new ways to overcome the severe effects of surgery in the larynx and throat. Together with their colleagues from the University College London (Professor Birchall and Dr Graveston) they approached the challenge through the development of new robotics technologies that are designed to work seamlessly with the human body.
The team developed an artificial respiration system that simulated breathing with different physiological parameters. This allowed them to prototype robotic larynx replacements and analyse their performance. The newly designed device offers a way to restore important functional capabilities of the larynx and to avoid the implantation of conventional, uncomfortable and ill-fitting alternatives.
Their project has helped to lay ground work for the development of future robotic technologies not only for laryngectomy but for other applications in healthcare and rehabilitation. The ultimate aim of producing a total larynx replacement (TLR) device capable of implantation in patients is becoming a reality and would have huge health, social and economic impact.