December 6, Session 2, Group E Maunie Hayat Mary Clark Ismail Hassan Andy Guo

COPD is marked by the hypersecretion of mucus, which contributes to a number of symptoms including obstructive breathing, increased bacterial infections, and overall increased mortality. Currently, mucolytics and expectorants are used to assist mucus clearance. Additionally, agents such as n-acetylcysteine and carbocysteine relieve symptoms through their antioxidant effects. The Lung Flute is a novel respiratory device, which functions to increase mucus clearance through the simultaneous production of low frequency acoustic waves and moderately vigorous exhalation. The device stabilizes the BODE score, a scoring system used for patients afflicted with COPD.

The lung flute works by blowing into the tube, which has a thing reed that flutters when exhaling. The movement of the reed creates a very low-frequency sound wave that travels back into the trachea and down in the lungs. As these sound waves pass through the mucus secretion, the energy vibrates the secretions. There are breakdown of hydrogen bonds that thin the secretions. Once these secretions have thinned, the mucus can be moved up the airways much more easily.

Demo of the lung flute in action! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfkmfKo6xMA

Picture of the lung flute: http://www.medgadget.com/img/mylarre3423.jpg

Contributors: Mohammed Hayat (Maunie), Mary Clark, Ismail Hassan, Neely Harris, Andy Guo