Difference between revisions of "Romet R series"

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[[File:Romet r310.png|thumbnail|right|Model R310]]
 
[[File:Romet r310.png|thumbnail|right|Model R310]]
 
'''R310''' - This model features a nonslip coating of the device's barrel. It is otherwise identical to R210.
 
'''R310''' - This model features a nonslip coating of the device's barrel. It is otherwise identical to R210.
[[File:Romet r440.png|thumbnail|right|Model R440 ECHO]]
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[[File:Romero Echo R440|thumbnail|right|Model R440 ECHO]]
 
'''R440 ECHO''' - This is the most recent, and the smallest, model the company produces. Additionally to features inherited from the previous models, the R440 also allows for adjusting the timbre of the voice. All these setting are now programmable and can be saved as different pre-sets.<ref name="larynges"/>
 
'''R440 ECHO''' - This is the most recent, and the smallest, model the company produces. Additionally to features inherited from the previous models, the R440 also allows for adjusting the timbre of the voice. All these setting are now programmable and can be saved as different pre-sets.<ref name="larynges"/>
 
[[File:Romet r355cp.jpg|thumbnail|right|Discontinued model R355CP with a charging pad]]
 
[[File:Romet r355cp.jpg|thumbnail|right|Discontinued model R355CP with a charging pad]]

Revision as of 11:05, 2 January 2017

Romet R series
Romet R310.jpg
Category Electrolarynx
Developer Romet Inc.
Announced
Released 1979 [1]
Price 249.95 USD - 599 USD (Winter 2016/2017)
Weight 107.7 g [2]
Controls

buttons [2]

Data available
Risk factor
http://www.romet.us/electro-larynx-models.html
Romet R210 kit

Romet R is a series of electrolarynxes developed by an American company Romet Inc. The series consists of four devices: R120, R210, R310, and R440 ECHO. As of February 2016, all four models are available for purchase.

Main characteristics

Model R120

The overall appearance between the individual models differs only marginally. The devices are roughly palm-sized and shaped as a barrel. The control features are present on the body of the devices. The material the devices are made of plastics with soft outside cover more comfortable handling. Each is powered by a one 9V rechargeable lithium-ion battery. All the models have an adjustable head, that allows for finer tuning of the produced sound.[2]

The individual differences between the devices are discussed below:

R120 - This is the most basic model of the series. It has a plastic barrel and features a basic on and off setting button. The user has no control over the volume or pitch of the artificial voice.

Model R210

R210 - This model replaces the R120. It's body is made from polished aluminium and the device features on and off switch as well as two sliders that allow the user to control the volume and the pitch of the produced voice.

Model R310

R310 - This model features a nonslip coating of the device's barrel. It is otherwise identical to R210.

File:Romero Echo R440
Model R440 ECHO

R440 ECHO - This is the most recent, and the smallest, model the company produces. Additionally to features inherited from the previous models, the R440 also allows for adjusting the timbre of the voice. All these setting are now programmable and can be saved as different pre-sets.[2]

Discontinued model R355CP with a charging pad

R355CP - A discontinued model that featured an accumulator instead of a 9 V battery. The device is recharged wirelessly via the included charging pad. It is not featured on Romet's official website but it can still be purchased from a third-party.[3]

All models come with an additional rechargeable battery and a battery charger that are sold together with the devices.

Purpose

The series of devices is directed towards laryngectomy patients that lost their ability to produce speech. The usage of an electrolarynxs allows the to communicate in a quick and natural manner without resorting to other means such as pen and paper.

Company & People

Romet Inc. is an American biotechnology company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company was established in 1979 and sells it's devices internationally.[1][4]

Important Dates

  • 1979 - Romet Inc. Established. The company introduces it's electrolarynx model the R100.
  • 2010 - An improved model R200 launches.
  • 2011 - Romet claims reception of a full CE 93/42 EEC Directives Certification
  • 2015 - The company introduces a smaller, programmable R440 ECHO.[1]

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

Treatment - Electrolarynxes are meant to return the ability to communicate by voice for laryngectomy patients.

Ethical & Health Issues

There are no ethical or health issues connected to this particular device.

For more general issues connected with smartglasses, please see the Electrolarynx synopsis.

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

There are no professional reviews about the devices available on the Internet but some user reviews on Amazon exist. A user using the nickname Amazon Costumer[5] left a handful of negative reviews about the R120, R310, and R 440 ECHO models. The user claims that he has a long experience working with laryngectomy patients and that the uses an electrolarynx himself. The review for R120 is very lengthy, spanning several paragraphs, and negative. The device is deemed too unergonomic due to the sharp on/off switch, the lack of volume and pitch control is also criticized.[6] The R310 model is again said to be badly designed, with the on/off switch too sharp to be pressed for more than a few moments and the volume and pitch controls being accessible only with difficulties.[7] Finally, the newest model R440 ECHO is, again, left with a one star rating for being too small to comfortably handle and for the fact that a potential user has to disengage the on/off switch to adjust the volume.[8] It is important to note, however, that Amazon Customer does not have his comments flagged as verified purchase by Amazon.

The only other user review that does not come from Amazon Costumer is from the users named Michael Begin and Ciera. Begin shares that he had to return the device twice because it did not work. Ciera does not give any assessment of the device itself, but praises that the purchase comes with extra batteries included.

There are a number of video testimonials and endorsements by laryngectomees available on the Romet official website.[9]

Public Policy

The company claims that it is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that it complies with the European Commission Council directive 93/42/EEC.[10] It does not, however, share the FDA registration number, nor it can be found in it's database by using queries such as 'Romet', or 'Electrolarynx'.

Due to problems with Lithium Ion Batteries that exploded, the Romer Inc. had to deal with shipping problems with their devices that which contain Lithium Ion Batteries. They inform their customers:

For Concerns About Lithium Ion Batteries, Please Note: Romet works very closely with the HAZMAT office of the FAA to ensure that all our packaging and shipments are prepared in accordance to the latest regulations which are originated by the United Nations and implemented by the FAA for Air Cargo shipments. Be assured Romet is 100% compliant in all cases.[11]

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

There are no related projects or research relevant to this device specifically.

For more information about this type of devices, please see the Electrolarynx synopsis.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 ROMET®. About ROMET® and Fountain Head Marketing. ROMET® [online]. Available online at: http://www.romet.us/about-our-company.html (Retrieved 15th December, 2016.)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 ROMET®. ROMET® Electronic Larynx Devices. ROMET® [online]. Available online at: http://www.romet.us/electro-larynx-models.html (Retrieved 15th December, 2016.)
  3. Medi-Shop. Romet R355CP larynx. Medi-Shop [online]. Available online at: http://www.medi-shop.gr/en/larynx-devices/romet-r355cp (Retrieved 2nd January, 2017).
  4. ROMET®. ROMET® Electronic Larynx Worldwide. ROMET® [online]. Available online at: http://www.romet.us/international.html (Retrieved 2nd January, 2016).
  5. http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1C2AC0G1JC4PE/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp
  6. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LGZL7N2?m=A3DYMHG0OLN7CY&qid=1454659996&ref_=sr_1_9&s=merchant-items&sr=1-9#customerReviews
  7. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LH02ZOG?m=A3DYMHG0OLN7CY&qid=1454659996&ref_=sr_1_6&s=merchant-items&sr=1-6#customerReviews
  8. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQK3ZP2?m=A3DYMHG0OLN7CY&qid=1454659996&ref_=sr_1_8&s=merchant-items&sr=1-8#customerReviews
  9. http://www.romet.us/testimonials.html
  10. http://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/european-standards/harmonised-standards/medical-devices/index_en.htm
  11. ROMET®. ROMET® ELECTRONIC LARYNX & ACCESSORIES. ROMET® [online]. Available online at: http://www.romet.us/home.html (Retrieved 15th December, 2016.)