The General Hospital Corporation

Other

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The University of Texas System

Steven M Zeitels

Robert Samuel Langer

R Rox Anderson

William A Farinelli

William Neil Everett

Adela Ben-Yakar

Robert S Langer, Jr

Robert E Hillman

Sandeep Sidram Karajanagi

Christopher L Hoy

James B Kobler

Robert Edward Hillman

The present invention provides hydrogels and compositions thereof for vocal cord repair or augmentation, as well as other soft tissue repair or augmentation (e.g., bladder neck augmentation, dermal fillers, breast implants, intervertebral disks, muscle-mass). The hydrogels or compositions thereof are injected into the superficial lamina propria or phonatory epithelium to restore the phonatory mucosa of the vocal cords, thereby restoring a patient's voice. In particular, it has been discovered that hydrogels with an elastic shear modulus of approximately 25 Pa are useful in restoring the pliability of the phonatory mucosa. The invention also provides methods of preparing and using the inventive hydrogels.

Hydrogels for vocal cord and soft tissue augmentation and repair

Provided herein are devices, systems and methods for treating a vocal fold pathology by forming a substantially planar void below the epithelium of the vocal fold using optical energy. Also provided are devices, systems, and methods for combined imaging and treating of a vocal fold pathology.

Systems, devices and methods for imaging and surgery

The disclosure relates to methods and systems for making customized treatments to a subject's vocal tissues to provide a desired level of vocal function.

Methods and systems of matching voice deficits with a tunable mucosal implant to restore and enhance individualized human sound and voice production

Described are methods of treating virus-associated lesions using administration of an anti-angiogenic compound, or a combination of angiolytic or ablative therapy and administration of an anti-angiogenic compound.

Methods of treating vascular lesions

An element for a phonomicrosurgical modular glottiscope system comprises a proximal end; a distal end; a pair of opposing curved sides intersecting at an apex line; a substantially planar base, and internal channels disposed within the base. The base plate is removably attached to the pair of curved sides, and the base and curved sides define a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The internal channels include a first internal channel that provides illumination to the distal end and a second internal channel that provides aspiration to the distal end. In operation, the distal end of the element is inserted into a body cavity and the lumen provides visualization of the distal end and access to the distal end for tools inserted into the lumen from the proximal end. A method of manufacturing the element is also disclosed.

Universal modular glottiscope system having intra-wall channels for vocal fold microsurgery or orotracheal intubation

A universal modular glottiscope system includes a set of differently dimensioned elongate tubular elements for insertion into a patient's larynx for laryngoscopic procedures or intubation. Each tubular element has a substantially triangular cross-section distally defined by a substantially planar base and two curved sides which intersect at an apex line and may have varying curvature between the apex line and the base. A distal end opening is defined by an intersection of the cross-section with an imaginary plane at a selected angle to the longitudinal direction of the tubular element. At the proximal end of each tubular element, which is D-shaped in configuration and wider than the distal end, is provided a pair of opposed end slots intermediate the apex line and the base. The planar base is detachable. Above the slots, adjacent the proximal end of each tubular element, is a standardized handle-attachment fitting. A surgeon using the system may inspect the patient and, based on measurements and/or experience, select the most suitable elongate tubular element from the set and manually attach a standardized handle element thereto at the standardized handle-attachment thereof.

Universal modular laryngoscope/glottiscope system

An adjustable supraglottiscope designed to be used in the supraglottic larynx is disclosed, in particular, an improved apparatus for endoscopic surgery in the supraglottis and the lower pharynx is disclosed by having at least one blade that is at least as wide as the normal, human epiglottis in its natural position within the body. The blades of the supraglottiscope have a length to width ratio that is about one-half of that found in conventional instruments. This unique ratio enables a wider exposure of the supraglottic larynx and lower pharynx. Methods of performing surgery on the supraglottic larynx of a patient are also described.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, MA, United States of America

Steven M Zeitels