High-fidelity image-based computer modeling of voice production—From muscle contraction to flow-structure-acoustics interaction

This study aims to develop a high-fidelity computer model of voice production which can employ the image-based realistic three-dimensional geometries of larynges and simulate the complex mechanical process of voice production and control, from muscle contraction to flow-structure-acoustics interactions. Such a model will advance our understanding of the relationship between muscle contraction, vocal fold posturing, vocal fold vibration, and final voice outcome, which has important clinical implications for voice management, training, and treatment. The key components of the model include a sharp-interface-immersed-boundary-method based impressible flow model, a finite-element method based nonlinear structural dynamics model and a hydrodynamics/acoustics splitting method based acoustics model. A Hill-based contractile model is coupled in the finite element analysis to capture the active response of vocal fold tissues, and a fiber-reinforced model is employed for the passive response. A series of validation...