Plant Biomechanics Group, Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT - Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 4;14(1):26655. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-77595-0.
Speaking valves enable tracheostomy patients to speak naturally. However, improper use may cause dangerous overpressure, leading to severe complications or even patient's death. We address this life-threatening issue by creating a biomimetic speaking valve, which incorporates an integrated overpressure valve that automatically opens when reaching critical pressure levels. To enhance safety, we integrated a whistle module to provide an audible alert for medical staff. Fundamental research on the Utricularia vulgaris trapdoor inspired our abstracted valve form. Through a comprehensive analysis using generalized linear mixed-effect models, we examined various membrane parameter effects on the function of the biomimetic overpressure valve. This enabled us to adjust the valve's opening pressure to cater to patient's unique requirements, thus potentially saving lives by applying a solution from nature.
会厌通气阀使气管切开术患者能够自然发声。但是，如果使用不当，可能会导致危险的过压，从而导致严重的并发症，甚至危及患者生命。我们通过创建一种仿生会厌通气阀来解决这个危及生命的问题，该阀集成了一个过压阀，当达到临界压力水平时会自动打开。为了提高安全性，我们集成了一个哨子模块，为医务人员提供听觉警报。我们从狸藻的陷阱门中获得灵感，进行了基础性研究，抽象出了我们的通气阀形状。通过使用广义线性混合效应模型进行全面分析，我们研究了各种膜参数对仿生过压阀功能的影响。这使我们能够根据患者的独特需求调整阀门的开启压力，从而通过应用源自自然的解决方案来挽救生命。
