Project Overview

Bell’s Palsy, a condition affecting the 7th facial nerve, can cause hemifacial paralysis and weakness in facial muscles. During recovery, the facial nerve can regenerate forming new pathways causing voluntary and involuntary muscle contractions simultaneously. For a patient with this disorder, known as synkinesis, maintaining proper embouchure is problematic as the buccinator, platysma, and zygomaticus counter-contract. Therefore, an embouchure assistive device will be designed for a clarinetist afflicted with synkinesis to help maintain pressure on the mouthpiece of the clarinet which will reduce air leakage.

Team Picture

Files

• Midsemester Presentation (March 13, 2012)
• PDS (March 13, 2012)
• Midsemester Report (March 14, 2012)
• Final Poster (May 2, 2012)
• Final Report (May 9, 2012)
• Journal Submission (May 9, 2012)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Megan Jones - Team Leader
• Feng Chen - BSAC
• Patrick Cassidy - BWIG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. John Webster - Advisor
• Ms. Elon Roti Roti - Client

Related Projects

• Spring 2012: Embouchure assistive device
• Fall 2011: Embouchure assistive device