VIDEOENDOSCOPY AND PHOTODETECTION - LINEARITY OF A NEW INTEGRATED SYSTEM

Simultaneous videoendoscopy and photodetection has potential for impro ving the assessment of changes in velopharyngeal (VP) movements and cl osure over time during speech. The purpose of this project was to exam ine the linearity of a new system, including a pediatric bronchoscope with an internal instrument channel through which the photodetector fi ber was positioned. The results led to the conclusion that the respons e of the new system was linear. However, further examination indicated that system positioning variables had important effects on the overal l level of photodetector light detection. These observations confirm t he importance of monitoring and controlling the position of the endosc ope-photodetector apparatus in the nasopharynx when using the system t o evaluate velopharyngeal movement and closure for speech.