Biotechnology
A new voice to improve life
for cancer patients
The future can seem bleak for throat cancer patients following
surgery that leaves them having to communicate with a poor
quality artificial voice. A new voice-producing prosthesis
developed by a consortium of researchers, SMEs and Ear, Nose
and Throat consultants will significantly improve their plight.
and taste and having to breathe through a
visible hole in the neck.
The surgical procedure involves cutting
the trachea from the larynx and leading it
outside to the neck, where it is sewn to the
skin forming a hole or stoma. Vocal function
is partially restored by means of a one-way
shunt valve which also prevents food and
Each year, 30,000 throat cancer patients
liquid from entering the trachea. When the
worldwide undergo a laryngectomy, a
patient closes the stoma with a finger, air is
radical surgical procedure which involves
forced through the shunt valve and into the
the removal of the larynx, vocal cords and
oesophagus, where soft tissues start to
epiglottis. For many it will be a life-saving
vibrate, producing an artificial voice.
operation, but with drastic consequences
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There are, however, a number of
for their quality of life: an artificial-sounding,
problems associated with current shunt
toneless voice, loss of their sense of smell
valve technology. The valve has a tendency
www.globalwatchonline.com NOVEMBER 2003
Biotechnology
to malfunction, owing to a build-up of
‘biofilm’ or bacterial and fungal
contamination caused by food and liquid,
and needs replacing every four months or
so. Fixing the valve to the stoma can also
prove a problem, resulting in leakage, and
‘The new shunt valve can be made from the single material
without the need for an additional biofilm-resistant coating,
making it easier and more cost effective to produce’
Dr Mark Waters, Dental School at the University of Wales College of Medicine
because the incoming air isn’t filtered,
moisturised or warmed up patients are
susceptible to colds and even pneumonia.
Enhancing quality of life
the shunt valve significantly, which means
ready for the market in three to four
the patient doesn’t have to undergo
years, it is ensured an enthusiastic
replacement surgery quite so often. This in
welcome from ENT specialists
turn reduces the burden on medical
worldwide, according to Leo Basil of
prosthesis currently being developed by
resources and significantly increases the
Principality Medical. ‘Until now, Europe’s
Eureka project E! 2614 Newvoice hopes to
prosthetic’s market appeal. Most
competitiveness in this field has run a
solve some of these problems, in the
importantly, from the patient’s point of
poor second to the US, largely because
process making life much more bearable
view, the prosthesis will produce a much
different countries have their own
for a patient. The prosthesis consists of a
better voice with more natural inflections
approaches to developing and inserting
voice-producing element which is
and tonal variation.’
prostheses, none of which work that
An ingenious voice-producing shunt
integrated into a shunt valve made from
The potential market value of the
well. Working under the auspices of
biofilm-resistant silicone rubber. The
prosthesis itself is around £150 million per
Eureka has enabled us to draw together
prosthesis is implanted in the trachea using
annum. The biofilm-resistant material
all this expertise to identify the problems
a specially designed tissue-connecting ring,
developed for the prosthesis will also be
and collaborate on developing a universal
a clever system incorporating a filter which
highly suitable for heart valves, urinary
material and mechanism that not only
enables hands-free control of the voice-
catheters and other medical applications
benefits the patient but will enable
producing prosthesis.
subject to contamination, as well as for
Europe to compete commercially in a
industrial applications ranging from the
global market.’
Two UK organisations are responsible for
developing the biofilm-resistant silicone
rubber to be used in the construction of the
prosthesis: the Dental School at the
automotive industry to bathroom sealants.
Focusing expertise
Eureka, says Dr Waters: ‘We needed a
specialised pair of hands on the project
University of Wales College of Medicine and
its industrial partner, Principality Medical Ltd,
Equally important to the project has
been the financial support provided by
The 14-strong consortium
and Eureka funding allowed us to employ
an SME specialising in the design and
collaborating on Newvoice includes a
a post-doctoral assistant for three years,
manufacture of polymeric materials for
number of ENT consultants, eventual
enabling us to do this work.’
medical use. For the past 10 years they have
users of the prosthesis who are
been working together developing
contributing invaluable design input
innovative materials for dental and maxillo-
from both a clinical and a patient’s
facial prosthetics and at the same time
viewpoint. The two UK partners, in
trying to address the conundrum of bacterial
addition to their work on perfecting the
and fungal contamination.
new biofilm-resistant material, have
‘The new shunt valve can be made
come up with their own suggestions for
from the single material without the need
modifying the prosthesis’s design which
for an additional biofilm-resistant coating,
could form the basis of a follow-on
making it easier and more cost effective to
project to refine further.
produce,’ says the Dental School’s Dr Mark
The prosthesis is still in its early
Waters. ‘It’s hoped that reduced
stages of development and faces a
contamination will extend the lifetime of
series of stringent clinical trials. When it’s
‘We needed a specialised pair of hands on the project and
Eureka funding allowed us to employ a post-doctoral assistant for
three years, enabling us to do this work.’
Dr Mark Waters, Dental School at the University of Wales College of Medicine
NOVEMBER 2003 www.globalwatchonline.com
Further information
For further information about Eureka, please
contact Robert Cameron, DTI Eureka Unit
t: 020 7215 1707
f: 020 7215 1700
e: [email protected]
For further information about project
Newvoice please contact Dr Mark Waters,
Dental School, University of Wales College
of Medicine
t: 02920 742610
f: 02920 744509
e: [email protected]
Leo Basil, Principality Medical Ltd
t: 01633 895 994
f: 01633 896 588
e: [email protected] or visit:
www.primedplas.co.uk
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