VoiceInject

VoiceInject® - Autologous fat as a filler for glottal insufficiency

 

Vocal fold augmentation has been an established and effective method of treating glottal insufficiency for years.
It is a minimally invasive procedure that quickly restores the patients natural voice. Patients themselves favour this procedure because of the body’s high acceptance rate and the benefits of using the patients' own fat.
SPIGGLE & THEIS developed VoiceInject® for the successful and patient-friendly treatment of glottal insufficiency.
Vocal fold augmentation is a safe and effective treatment method to improve vocal quality when the glottis does not close completely. Patients appreciate the use of endogenous material, such as autologous fat. Autologous fat demonstrates good elastic properties and is fully biocompatible. Augmentation can be performed bilaterally on vocal folds.

Medical indications

 

  • Presbyphonia
  • Scarring
  • Chordectomy
  • Vocal fold atrophy
  • Recurrent nerve paresis

Advantages of VoiceInject®

 

  • Autologous fat for optimal biocompatibility
  • No injection of synthetic material
  • Minimally invasive treatment with maximum patient comfort
  • Can last up to 2+ years
  • Injection and harvesting cannula designed for optimal application and protection of the harvested fat cells
  • Sterile system

Prof. Dr. Markus M. Hess
MEDICAL VOICE CENTER, Hamburg, Germany

 

Autologous fat tissue is unique because it is a combination of a resorbable and a permanent component.  

Closed vocal folds*

 

*Source: MEDICAL VOICE CENTER, Hamburg, Germany

Opened vocal folds*
Unilateral vocal fold palsy*
Fat cells - Ideal filler for use in the human body
  • Biocompatible autologous tissue
  • Easily harvested
  • Long term benefit

VoiceInject® - Injection needle

Special attention has been given to the careful transport and injection of fat cells into the vocal folds. Thanks to the high-volume design and extra thin cannula wall, VoiceInject® makes it easy to inject fat cells without damaging them.
  •  
  • VoiceInject®-Injection needle, 1 piece, Art. No. 3080-1000-01
  • VoiceInject®-Injection needle, 5 pieces, Art. No. 3080-1005

Properties

  • High-volume lumen to protect the harvested fat cells
  • Facet cut for simple and safe injection into the vocal fold
  • Optimal length for transoral injection, working length 263 mm, overall length 332 mm
  • Needle tip: 8 mm with marking of the injection depth at 5 millimeters
  • Removable handle
  • Luer-Lock connector

Harvesting cannula

Careful harvesting is crucial to ensure successful and lasting autologous fat augmentation in the vocal folds. In addition to a low level of negative pressure when harvesting, the special shape, arrangement and cut of the suction holes ensure safe harvesting of the fat cells. Once harvested, the cannula tube provides the fat cells with enough space, so that they can be drawn up into the syringe, without added pressure.

 

The Lipo Harvesting Cannula is only available as a component of the Lipo Harvesting-Set >>

Properties

  • Atraumatic beveled suction holes on the cannula tip
  • Low suction pressure, thanks to manually build-up pressure
  • Special arrangement of the suction holes
  • Harvesting cannula with large-volume inner shaft

Application and Handling of the VoiceInject®-System

Step 1: Fat extraction

  • Sampling of homogeneous fat tissue with extraction system
     
     
     
     

Step 2: Preparation of the extracted fat tissue

  • Use centrifuge to separate harvested tissue (max 3000 rpm for 3 minutes). Drain blood cells, serum, free fatty acids and cell debris and keep the fat tissue.
     
     
     

Step 3: Transfer fat tissue

  • Transfer fat tissue into 1 ml syringes using the connector
     
     
     
     

Step 4: Micro reinjection

  • Inject fat tissue into the vocal folds as needed

VoiceInject® in use:

International Webinar on vocal fold augmentation:


Links to further literature

S. Gupta et.al.:

"Autologous Fat Augmentation in Post Type III Cordectomy Patients"

 


Link to document >>

A. Ricci Maccarini et al.:

"Efficacy of trans-nasal fiberendoscopic injection laryngoplasty with centrifuged autologous fat in the treatment of glottic insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis"

Link to document >>

Emke M. J. M. van den Broek et al.:

"Bilateral vocal fold injection with autologous fat in patients with vocal fold atrophy with or without sulcus"

 

Link to document >>

A. Felicio‑Briegel et.al.:

"Primary injection laryngoplasty after chordectomy for small glottic carcinomas"

 
Link to document >>