Remobilization of the Paralyzed Vocal Fold Using a Small Magnet
Preliminary Report
1992 Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages 359-362
Details
1992 Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages 359-362
Remobilization of the paralyzed vocal fold was attempted using a small button magnet in three excised canine larynges. A button-shaped magnet which had a flux density of about 2000 Gauss with a diameter of 5mm and a thickness of 3mm was fixed on the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage. Magnetic field was applied with another magnet placed about 5cm apart from the button magnet. This preparation could simulate the effect of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle contraction and the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle contraction. The vocal fold was adducted when the button magnet was attracted to the antero-inferior direction. It was also abducted when the magnet was attracted to the postero-inferior direction. By alternating the magnetic polarity using an electric magnet, abduction or adduction of the vocal fold was obtained in one larynx, which was similar to the physiological vocal fold movement during respiration and phonation.
Possibility and problems for clinical application of this system were also discussed.
