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Development of AI-Assisted digital twin system for phonosurgery

Award Number: R16DC024029
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2030

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Development of AI-Assisted digital twin system for phonosurgery - Project Summary Human voice disorders are surprisingly common. At least 20% of the human population will develop a voice disorder. Phonosurgery is designed to improve and restore the voice, often through mechanical correction of laryngeal configuration. Although the procedures usually result in vocal improvement, optimal treatment still remains a challenge. Computer simulations may be a promising way to enhance phonosurgery through extensive, virtual testing on personalized physiology and anatomy and providing surgical optimization prior to actual delivery. Yet, existing computational models have not yielded accurate, robust, reliable and efficient simulations. In our view, the challenge is primarily due to three roadblocks, including a lack of (1) techniques of obtaining participant-specific vocal fold tissue properties for accurate representation of physiology heterogeneity, (2) an efficient high-precision modeling approach for providing meaningful statistical quantities, and (3) techniques to quantify uncertainty for reliable decision-making. In this project we propose to develop innovative computational algorithms, by integrating newly-emerged physics-informed deep learning (PIDL), state-of-the-art bi-fidelity computer modeling techniques, advanced uncertainty quantification techniques, and experimental and clinical data, to remove these roadblocks. The algorithms will realize a first-of its-kind computer model that can represent participant-specific physiology and anatomy and provide high-precision prediction of vocal function and surgical outcomes with uncertainty quantification. The model will be the critical technology foundation for our long-term goal of building a digital-twin framework of the human vocal system for simulation-assisted phonosurgery. The framework can improve phonosurgery by providing precision treatment tailored to each patient. It may also provide a novel virtual tool for testing new surgical procedures before animal/human trial, as well as a scientific tool for hypothesis testing and guiding of new experiments. Specific Aims (SA). In SA1, we propose to develop an innovative physics-informed deep learning (PIDL) algorithm for participant-specific calibration of in vivo vocal fold tissue properties using multimodal clinical data. In SA2, we will develop a bi-fidelity modeling approach to enable computationally efficient, high-precision simulations of phonation. This approach is designed to be broadly applicable across laryngeal conditions and phonosurgical procedures involving changes in vocal fold structure and material properties. The PIDL and bi- fidelity algorithms will be rigorously validated using synthetic simulation data and excised larynx experiments. We will also develop and integrate advanced uncertainty quantification methods to generate confidence intervals for all simulation outputs, ensuring reliability and clinical interpretability. In SA3, we will apply the computational model to investigate the role and optimization of implant placement in voice recovery following Type I thyroplasty.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $145,613 )
2026	2026	ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	1 LOMB MEMORIAL DR	ROCHESTER	NY	14623	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	8/10/2026	NEW	$145,613
														Subtotal = $145,613

Grand Total All Awards = $145,613

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Development of AI-Assisted digital twin system for phonosurgery

Award Number: R16DC024029

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2030

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