Course: Voice Biomechanics

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Course title Voice Biomechanics
Course code KBF/PGSBH
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Doctoral
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 20
Language of instruction English
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Herbst Christian, MgA. Ph.D.
  • Švec Jan, prof. RNDr. Ph.D. et Ph.D.
Course content
- Fundamentals of biomechanics [1-3]. - Anatomy of voice organ, laryngeal cartillages, muscles and nerves [4,5]. - Typical mechanical properties of tissues of the voice apparatus: viscoelasticity, non-homogenity, anisotropy, adaptability, stress-strain relationship (Hooke's law, elasticity modulus, yield point, rupture point) [1,2];[5]. - Tendons and ligaments, elastin and collagen fibres in tendons and ligaments, deformation of collagen fibres, consequences of viscoelasticity - 2 effects in tendons and ligaments - stress relaxation and creep [1,2] [5]. - Three types of cartillages, their function, structure and properties, stress relaxation and creep in cartillages [1,2]. - Muscular system of the voice apparatus, types of muscles, their function and properties, muscle contraction, motor unit, twitch and tetanus, types of muscle fibres (motor units), 2 basic mechanisms of increasing muscle tension, combination of spatial and temporal recruitment for increasing muscle tension (Henneman's size principle), Hill's 3-element model, dependence of muscle force on muscle parameters (sarcomere length, muscle elongation, contraction velocity, contraction duration) [1,2]. - Neuron: 3 types of neurons and their involvement in a reflex arc, neuron morphology, transmission of nerve action potential to muscle (neuromuscular junction), extrafusal and intrafusal muscle fibres, mechanoreceptors and their feedback function (muscle spindles - their structure and function, patellar reflex, the Golgi apparatus, other mechanoreceptors), neural system of the voice apparatus. [1,2]. - Anatomical measuremets of the larynx (thyroid, cricoid and arytenoid cartillages, trachea, epiglottis) [6]. - Geometry of glottis and of the vocal folds (vocal fold dimensions, size of tissue structures, casting of glottis, radiographic imaging, matematical model of prephonatory glottis) [6]. - Experiments with excised larynges, attachment procedures, humidification and heating of tissue and air, hemilaryngeal setup, methods of investigation of vocal fold vibration: videostroboscopy, high-speed imaging [6]. - Kinetic and kinematic data on vocal fold vibration: pressure and airflow measurement, vibration amplitude, frequency, mucosal wave and vertical phase difference, radiated power and intensity, contact pressures, vibration asymmetry, resonance properties of the vocal folds and surrounding tissues [6] [7]. - Vocal fold models: Mathematical models - one-mass model (Flanagan & Landgraf [8]), two-mass model (Ishizaka & Flanagan [9]), three-mass model (Story & Titze [10]), mucosal wave model (Titze [11]), translation-rotation model (Liljencrants [12]), aeroelastic model (Horacek [13,14]), finite-element models [15-17]. Physical models [18]. Overview literature: Story [19], Titze [5] - Chap.4, Kob [20]. - Respiratory biomechanics, anatomy and physiology of respiratory muscles, inspiration, expiration, vital capacity, measurement methods [5,21,22] + Hixon [23] - chap.1, Sundberg.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training)
  • Preparation for the Exam - 48 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 36 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 20 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Overview of the field of biomechanics of human voice production.
Subject oriented towards deepening of the knowledge on voice biomechanics. Define the main ideas and conceptions of the subject, describe the main approaches of the studied topics, recall the theoretical knowledge for solution of model problems.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of mechanics, completed Master's studies

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark

Knowledge to pass the examination.
Recommended literature
  • English: literature will be supplied by Dr. Švec.
  • Patobiomechanika a Patokinesiologie: KOMPENDIUM.
  • Vybrané časopisecké publikace.
  • Janura, M. (2003). Úvod do biomechaniky pohybového systému člověka. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci.
  • Švec. J. (1996). Studium mechanicko-akustických vlastností lidského hlasu. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého, Přírodovědecká fakulta, Katedra experimentální fyziky.
  • Titze, I. R. (2000). Principles of voice production (second printing). Iowa City, IA: National Center for Voice and Speech.
  • Titze, I. R. (2006). The myoelastic aerodynamic theory of phonation. Denver CO and Iowa City IA: National Center for Voice and Speech.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester