Analysis of Direct Simultaneous Measurement of Glottal Airflow Velocity, Subglottal Pressure, and High-Speed Imaging Using Flexible Transnasal Endoscope in a Human Subject

It is difficult to directly observe glottal airflow velocity just above the glottis due to sensor size requirements and limited accessibility. We developed a miniature hot-wire probe and flexible fiberscopic high-speed imaging system for human examinations. Simultaneous direct measurement of glottal airflow velocity, subglottal pressure, and vocal fold vibration was achieved in a patient who was treated with a T-tube for tracheal stenosis. Airflow velocity changes at the anterior midline of the vocal folds were synchronized with subglottal pressure changes during each phonation cycle. The velocity at the anterior midline of the vocal folds showed a rhythmic pattern of sharp, high peaks. The result of fast Fourier transform analysis indicated that glottal velocity at the anterior midline of the vocal folds had abundant high-frequency components that were not affected by resonance of the vocal tract. Airflow velocity was variable and diminished except at the anterior midline of the vocal folds.