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What is a Voice Prosthesis?

A voice prosthesis is a medical device used to help people who have had their larynx removed during a total laryngectomy. This voice prosthesis is inserted into a tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) either during the surgery (primary placement) or after (secondary placement).

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Atos Medical voice prostheses are small medical grade silicon devices that have flanges on both sides to keep them in place. Between the flanges is a small tube that contains a one-way valve. The prosthesis allows for air to pass from the lungs into the esophagus, enabling the person to produce sound and speak.

Benefits of using a voice prosthesis1

  • Better voice quality compared to other methods
  • Relatively quick and easy to learn

Provox Vega

Provox Vega is a voice prosthesis used by thousands of people who have undergone a laryngectomy. The voice prosthesis is designed with airflow characteristics that are optimized for speaking and an opening pressure that supports a good seal when swallowing.2

Benefits of Provox Vega:

  • Better voice quality
  • Less effort to speak
  • Easy and effective to clean and maintain
  • Robust and durable
  • Easy insertion and ability to choose preferred method
The impact of Provox Vega on Voice Restoration

Provox Vega and Opening Pressure

Atos Medical’s voice prostheses have been in development since Provox was launched in 1990, and we are committed to ensuring they provide high voice quality and low speaking effort. Opening pressure and airflow characteristics are two important values that impact the performance of the voice prosthesis.

A larger voice prosthesis inner diameter means increased airflow and results in less speaking effort and a positive impact on speaking quality.3-7

What is opening pressure?

Opening pressure is the effort needed to open the valve flap for speaking. When the patient is initiating speech, the air pressure rises to a level where the valve flap in the prosthesis is forced to open, and a flow of air is generated.

  • Very high opening pressure makes it hard to start talking due to more effort needed to open the valve flap.
  • Low opening pressure might open the valve flap unintentionally as the patient is swallowing or inhaling deeply.

For further information on why and how opening pressure and airflow characteristics impact performance, download this flyer:

    On Demand webinar

    Successful Tracheoesophageal Voicing - Diameter Matters

    In this On Demand webinar, the unique airflow characteristics of Provox Vega are discussed as well as how the diameter of the voice prosthesis have a positive impact on voice quality.

    Agenda:

    • Unique airflow characteristics of Provox Vega
    • Clinical Evidence on Provox Vega
    • The influence of prosthesis diameter on voice
    • Patient scenarios and Provox Vega diameter selection
    • Q & A with Atos Research and Development

    Register to join

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    Discover other voice prostheses offered by Atos Medical

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    Discover more about tracheoesophageal puncture and the Provox Vega Puncture Set

    References:

    1. Maniaci A, La Mantia I, Mayo-Yáñez M, Chiesa-Estomba CM, Lechien JR, Iannella G, et al. Vocal Rehabilitation and Quality of Life after Total Laryngectomy: State-of-the-Art and Systematic Review. Prosthesis. 2023;5(3):587-601.

    2. van Sluis KE, van der Molen L, van Son R, Hilgers FJM, Bhairosing PA, van den Brekel MWM. Objective and subjective voice outcomes after total laryngectomy: a systematic review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018;275(1):11-26.

    3. Hilgers FJ, Ackerstaff AH, Jacobi I, Balm AJ, Tan IB, van den Brekel MW. Prospective clinical phase II study of two new indwelling voice prostheses (Provox Vega 22.5 and 20 Fr) and a novel anterograde insertion device (Provox Smart Inserter). Laryngoscope. 2010;120(6):1135-43.

    4. Ward EC, Hancock K, Lawson N, van As-Brooks CJ. Perceptual characteristics of tracheoesophageal speech production using the new indwelling Provox Vega voice prosthesis: a randomized controlled crossover trial. Head Neck. 2011;33(1):13-9.

    5. Hilgers FJ, Ackerstaff AH, van RM, Jacobi I, Balm AJ, Tan IB, et al. Clinical phase I/feasibility study of the next generation indwelling Provox voice prosthesis (Provox Vega). Acta Otolaryngol. 2010;130(4):511-9.

    6. Serra A, Spinato G, Spinato R, Conti A, Licciardello L, Di Luca M, et al. Multicenter prospective crossover study on new prosthetic opportunities in post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2017;31(3):803-9.

    7. Grolman W, Eerenstein SE, Tange RA, Canu G, Bogaardt H, Dijkhuis JP, et al. Vocal efficiency in tracheoesophageal phonation. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2008;35(1):83-8.

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