Description
The respiratory therapy device is a small, pipe-shaped product
consisting of a mouthpiece, a funnel, a stainless steel ball and a perforated
headpiece. At rest (without respiratory movement), the stainless steel ball
closes the funnel. When the patient exhales, a positive expiratory pressure
(PEP) is created in the device and the airways. The PEP prevents the airway
from collapsing through resi and increases until it is large enough to move the
stainless steel ball so that it rolls up the wall of the funnel. Exhaling
through the resi creates vibrations that increase the pressure in the bronchial
tubes – down to the deepest branches – and vibrate the exhaled air so that the
mucus is loosened from the bronchial walls and can be better transported away
toward the mouth. This movement clears the way through the funnel and allows
the pressure or air to escape. Then the stainless steel ball falls back and
closes the opening in the funnel again. This causes the pressure to build up
again in the unit.
The process repeats rapidly during exhalation, causing the bronchi to
vibrate with oscillating positive exhalation pressure (OPEP). Tilting up or
down causes the stainless steel ball to move faster or slower.
