Maartje Leemans

University of Twente | UT · Department of Biomechanical Engineering

Objective: This study aims to assess the product performance of a new moldable peristomal adhesive with corresponding heating pad designed to facilitate and improve automatic speaking valve (ASV) fixation for hands-free speech in laryngectomized patients. Methods: Twenty laryngectomized patients, all regular adhesive users with prior ASV experie...

Background: To improve the understanding of the thermodynamics and performance of small passive hygroscopic Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs), a computer model simulating HME function is required. Methods: We developed a numerical HME model to calculate the HME's water and heat exchange. The model was tuned and verified with experimental data...

Permanent hands-free speech with the use of an automatic speaking valve (ASV) is regarded as the optimal voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. Due to fixation problems, regular ASV use in laryngectomized patients is limited. We have developed a novel intratracheal fixation device (ITFD), composed of an intratracheal button augmented by a h...

Permanent hands-free speech with the use of an automatic speaking valve (ASV) is regarded as the optimal voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. Due to fixation problems, regular ASV use in patients with a laryngectomy is limited. We have developed an intratracheal fixation device (ITFD) composed of an intratracheal button augmented by hydro...

Background Due to the heat and moisture exchanger's (HME) breathing resistance, laryngectomized patients cannot always use an (optimal) HME during physical exercise. We propose a novel HME cassette concept with adjustable “bypass,” to provide adjustment between different breathing resistances within one device. Methods Under standardized condition...

Objective Total laryngectomy (TL) leads to lifelong physical changes which can lead to functional and participation issues. To assess the relationship between self‐reported quality of life and functional and participation issues, a large international online questionnaire was used. Method A questionnaire was sent out to 8119 recipients of whom 170...

Objectives: Existing fixation methods of automatic speaking valves (ASVs) suffer from shortcomings which partly are the result of insufficient conformity of the intratracheal fixation method’s shape to the tracheostoma anatomy. However, quantitative data are lacking and will be helpful to analyse solutions for airtight fixation. This article provid...