A 3D printed Embouchure-Assistive Device for Musicians with Facial Palsy

Authors

  • Ishan Saha UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92039, CA, USA
  • Shady I. Soliman Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles 90001, CA, USA
  • Jeffrey D. Bernstein Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla 92039, CA, USA
  • Daniel Brown Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92039, CA, USA
  • Mark Collier Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92039, CA, USA
  • Cynthia Guzman Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92039, CA, USA
  • Marycruz Resendiz Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92039, CA, USA
  • Jacqueline J. Greene Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla 92039, CA, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37155/2972-449X-vol1(3)-79

Keywords:

none

Abstract

Facial palsy, or weakness of the facial muscles, arises from injury to the facial nerve and can lead to debilitating morbidity by affecting facial expression, speech, and daily activities. Playing a wind instrument, such as the saxophone, requires formation of an airtight seal with the instrument’s mouthpiece through a coordinated effort of facial muscles known as embouchure. Consequently, facial palsy can impair a musician’s ability to play a wind instrument. To address this functional disability, we present a novel 3D-printed embouchure-assistive device designed for application in saxophone players with facial palsy. Quantitative and qualitative metrics were recorded, demonstrating improved duration of note sustain, increased mean air pressure within the mouthpiece during play, and subjectively improved patient comfort and overall tone quality with use of the device.  We also include design iterations of the prototype device as they may serve as a template for broader applications in musicians with facial palsy.  

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Published

15-12-2023

How to Cite

Saha, I., Soliman, S. I., Bernstein, J. D., Brown, D., Collier, M., Guzman, C., Resendiz, M., & Greene, J. J. (2023). A 3D printed Embouchure-Assistive Device for Musicians with Facial Palsy. BME Horizon, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.37155/2972-449X-vol1(3)-79

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2023 Ishan Saha, Shady I. Soliman, Jeffrey D. Bernstein, Daniel Brown, Mark Collier, Cynthia Guzman, Marycruz Resendiz, Jacqueline J. Greene

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