Toward Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Vocal Tract During Speech Prod...

• Author(s): Sandra M. Rua Ventura ; Diamantino Rui S. Freitas ; João Manuel R.S. Tavares
• Date: 2011
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10216/56115
• Origin: Repositório Aberto da Universidade do Porto
• Subject(s): Ciências Físicas; Física; Biofísica; Biomecânica
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

The most recent and significant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improvements allow for the visualization of the vocal tract during speech production, which has revealed to be a powerful tool in dynamic speech research. However, a synchronization technique with enhanced temporal resolution is still required. Objectives/ Hypothesis and methods: Throughout this work, a technique for the dynamic study of the vocal tract with MRI by using the heart’s signal to synchronize and trigger the imaging acquisition process is presented and described. The technique in question is then used in the measurement of four speech articulatory parameters in order to assess three different syllables (articulatory gestures) of European Portuguese Language. Study design: Transversal. Results: The acquired MR images are automatically reconstructed so as to result in a variable sequence of images (slices) of different vocal tract shapes in articulatory positions associated with Portuguese speech sounds. Conclusions: The knowledge obtained as a result of the proposed technique represents a direct contribution to the improvement of speech synthesis algorithms, thereby allowing for novel perceptions in coarticulation studies, in addition to providing further efficient clinical guidelines in the pursuit of more proficient speech rehabilitation processes.