Low-cost high-speed imaging system for observing vocal fold vibration in voice disorders.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to establish a method to observe vocal fold vibration using a low-cost high-speed laryngeal imaging system. PROCEDURES We assembled a high-speed imaging system with a consumer digital camera and a rigid laryngeal endoscope. The camera can shoot digital images at a rate of 1,200 frames per second and be purchased for about USD 1,000 in Japan. RESULTS We examined the normal and pathological vocal folds of 215 subjects with our new system and analyzed the vocal fold vibration in these subjects by playback of a video and kymograph images. CONCLUSIONS Our high-speed laryngeal imaging system is highly cost-effective and can be a useful tool for examining the vocal folds of patients with voice disorders.