NOTE: We encourage you to tell us about
your experience with the LUNG FLUTE
®
.
Please contact us at the address or phone
number on the cover panel of these
Instructions for Use.
Secretion Mobilization
Device for PEP/Bronchial
Hygiene Therapy
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
The Lung FLuTe
®
(Therapeutic) is indicated for
Positive expiratory Pressure (PeP) therapy.
PeP therapy, when combined with “huff” coughing, will help
remove secretions from airways, reduce the amount of air
that may be trapped in airways, keep airways open and
clear secretions, and improve delivery of bronchodilator
medication. As with all therapies, you will need to begin
slowly and build up the length and repetitions of your
therapy sessions. Please read these Instructions for use
carefully before starting your new therapy. Consult with your
healthcare professional to develop a personalized therapy
regimen that best fits your needs.
WARNINGS
• Do not attempt to inhale through the Lung FLuTe
®
.
• If you experience shortness of breath and/or dizziness,
discontinue use of the Lung FLuTe
®
and consult your
healthcare professional.
• A transient throat irritation, lasting less than 24 hours, was
noted in some participants in clinical trials.
• Individuals who cannot follow a healthcare professional’s
verbal instructions should not use the Lung FLuTe
®
.
Specifically, young individuals who cannot follow verbal
instructions, and adults who, due to physical or mental
challenges, cannot follow verbal instructions from a
healthcare professional.
REED
(shown installed in horn)
Mouthpiece
A NOTE ABOUT ACOUSTIC WAVE
TECHNOLOGY
The acoustic waves produced by the LUNG
FLUTE
®
cannot be heard by human ears.
The only sound you will hear is the
fluttering of the reed when you exhale
through the LUNG FLUTE
®
mouthpiece. You
will not feel any vibration of the LUNG
FLUTE
®
during operation.
5
Proper use of the LUNG FLUTE
®
Proper use of the Lung FLuTe
®
is important for
successful therapy. Although the technique presented
here works well for most users, “individualizing” the
technique for your specific condition may be necessary
in order to obtain the best results.
Please meet with your healthcare professional for
complete personal training before beginning your Lung
FLuTe
®
therapy. Continue to review your technique on
a regular basis, especially if you are not getting the
expected results or if you notice a change in how your
therapy is progressing.
6
Preparing for your LUNG FLUTE
®
therapy
1.
You may want to have a glass of water available to
drink after your therapy session. Before you begin,
think about what you will be doing, how you are
going to breathe, and the goals of the therapy.
Visualize your airways being vibrated by acoustic
waves, and secretions being loosened and mobilized
along with your exhaled air to progressively larger
airways, where they can be coughed up.
2.
get into a relaxed position. Sit up straight so that
your back is not touching the back of the chair. Tilt
your head slightly downward so your throat and
windpipe are wide open (see Figure 2, left). This
allows the acoustic waves produced by your breath
to flow from the Lung FLuTe
®
into your lungs.
3.
If you must perform therapy in bed, sit as upright
as possible, in a position that will not restrict your
smooth breathing effort.
1
Getting the most benefit from the LUNG
FLUTE
®
Although your healthcare professional may have trained
you in the use of the Lung FLuTe
®
, these Instructions
for use will assist you in using this device. using the
Lung FLuTe
®
on a regular basis in a manner that is
comfortable for you will provide benefits that will help
you breathe easier. If you have any questions about the
Lung FLuTe
®
or these instructions, contact your
healthcare professional for assistance.
2
The LUNG FLUTE
®
clears secretion build up
In many chronic cardiopulmonary conditions there is a
build up of secretions in the airways. Bronchial hygiene
therapy with the Lung FLuTe
®
can help clear these
secretions so they can be swallowed or coughed up.
3
What is the LUNG FLUTE
®
?
The Lung FLuTe
®
is a device used to help loosen,
mobilize, and eliminate secretions from your airways. It
consists of a mouthpiece and a reed inside a horn (see
Figure 1 above).
4
How the LUNG FLUTE
®
works
When you blow gently into the Lung FLuTe
®
in a
series of repetitions, your breath moves the reed inside
(see Figure 2 below). This causes acoustic vibrations,
which thin and loosen secretions deep in your lungs and
results in the secretions moving progressively up your
airways until they collect at the back of your throat.
REED
(shown installed in horn)
Mouthpiece
1
7
Stage One: Secretion Loosening and
Mobilization
Hold the Lung FLuTe
®
pointing down, as shown
in Figure 2. Inhale a little deeper than normal, place
your lips completely around the mouthpiece, and
gently blow out through the Lung FLuTe
®
as if
you were trying to blow out a candle. As you blow
you will hear the reed inside the Lung FLuTe
®
make a fluttering noise as it moves. Concentrate
on making this sound. (If the reed does not move
right away, practice with the Lung FLuTe
®
for
several sessions. If you are still unable to move the
reed, consult your healthcare professional.)
Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth and
quickly inhale again. Put the mouthpiece back in
your mouth and blow gently through the Lung
FLuTe
®
.
Remove the mouthpiece and wait five seconds,
taking several normal breaths.
As you adapt to using the device, your goal should
be to complete up to 20 sets of 2 blows each.
Depending on your condition, you may wish to
perform only a few repetitions of 2 blows, one or
two times a day, until you are able to do more. After
several sessions, you should be able to determine
for yourself the appropriate number of 2-breath
repetitions needed to adequately clear secretions.
Remember, you only need to blow through the
mouthpiece with as much force as you would to
blow out a candle. Do not force a cough or use your
diaphragm or stomach muscles to try to force out
more air.
8
Stage Two: Secretion Elimination
Once you have worked up to the required number
of 2-blow repetitions, the Lung FLuTe
®
has
thinned and loosened your secretions. Wait five
minutes after your session for secretions to collect
at the back of your throat. Several minutes of
coughing should bring up most of the secretions.
You may notice thinned secretions collecting at the
back of your throat for several hours after your
session. This is normal. A drink of water can
prevent minor throat irritation.
2
A NOTE ABOUT ACOUSTIC WAVE
TECHNOLOGY
The acoustic waves produced by the LUNG
FLUTE
®
cannot be heard by human ears.
The only sound you will hear is the
fluttering of the reed when you exhale
through the LUNG FLUTE
®
mouthpiece.
You will not feel any vibration of the LUNG
FLUTE
®
during operation.
9
Recommended length and frequency
of sessions
Your healthcare professional will advise you on how
often you should use the Lung FLuTe
®
and how
long each session should last. generally, morning and
late afternoon/evening sessions are recommended.
The average session lasts 5 to 10 minutes,
depending on the severity of the pulmonary
condition. To avoid becoming overly tired from
therapy, it is better to add a session rather than
extending a session to the point of discomfort.
10
Important Tips
•
When inhaling, remove the Lung FLuTe
®
from
your mouth.
•
Pointing the Lung FLuTe
®
slightly toward the floor
may make it work more efficiently.
•
To avoid dizziness or shortness of breath while
using the Lung FLuTe
®
, take more time between
each set of two blows.
•
Beginning Lung FLuTe
®
users or those with thick
mucus may experience throat irritation caused by
large quantities of secretions collecting at the back
of the throat. Drinking water after a session can
help reduce this irritation.
•
Performing 3 “huff” coughs after each 5 sets of 2
blows may further assist you in clearing your
secretions.
11
Condensation build up inside the
LUNG FLUTE
®
is normal
If condensation builds up inside the horn place it in
a warm spot, such as a sunny window. The
condensation should be gone before you start your
next session.
12
Product Performance
Frequency
16–25Hz
Minimal flow rate
128.4 L/min
Minimal pressure
1.0 cm H
2
O
Sound output
68 dBA
1
Pressure resistance
1.0 cm H
2
O
1
Measured with a standard general Radio 1933 Precision
Sound Level Meter. OSHA limit over a 15 min. interval is
115dBA CFR 29.1910.95 (b)(2)
U806_U806 6/29/11 12:02 PM Page 2
