Interesting concept. A small reed within the contraption vibrates when a patient blows into the mouthpiece and the vibrations are transmitted into the lower lungs, changing the viscosity of sputum in the lower airways. Video of the device in action is here.
Seems odd that such small device would have such a significant effect.
Call me crazy, but I’d try to come up with a better name than the “lung flute”. Maybe something cool like the “mucinator” or something scientific like a “mucociliary clearance device.”
I just couldn’t see writing an order for a stat “lung flute” to a patient’s bedside.
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Also check out the Littman 3200 stethoscope. For a mere $700+, you can upload patient heart sounds via Bluetooth to a computer and use the included computer program to analyze the tones for arrhythmias and for murmur analysis. Video here. The device is reportedly much more sensitive than a physician’s ears at picking out abnormal heart sounds.
Which leads me to the question … if this device is so much better than physicians at hearing murmurs, then why do they still put earpieces on it? They just ought to sell the handle portion with its computer screen readout.
Maybe they’re planning to turn it into a hybrid device – like a telephone. Put the earpieces in your ears and talk into the bell to answer pages when you’re not listening to patients’ hearts.
Or maybe it will sync up with your iTunes account so you can pretend like you’re listening intently to a murmur when you’re really jamming to Linkin Park.
Wonder if they make a hack for it to check e-mail.
Yes! Further death of the physical assessment!
Hey, I use a Littman Model 4100 electronic steth and I LOVE IT. I pick up murmurs and breath sounds I’d never hear without it. But, I do not save any sounds, nor do I use the analyzing software that came with it.
A week or so ago, being massively congested, I saw an article on the lung flute. Not having one, I tried to mimic the effect by making the “motorboat” sound with just my lips. You know, “brrrr-brrrrr-brrrrrr”, etc. It did the trick; started hocking up lungers in mere seconds.
The lung flute looks alot like an Acapella device we use at our facility. It’s green and looks like a big pickle – same idea – you blow into it and there is a flutter valve inside.
We use a flutter valve, it’s smaller, and, well prettier.
here’s what it looks like
http://www.activeforever.com/p-4879-acapella-vibratory-pep-therapy-system.aspx?G_OxygenTherapy_Acapella_Acapella%20vibratory%20pep&gclid=CLzh3rfpqJ4CFRyfnAodukAGmA
The cost of the stethoscope is more than the cost of an echocardiogram. Why not just skip auscultation all together!
I think deaf healthcare providers (and maybe cardiologists) could benefit greatly, but otherwise it seems like overkill…
http://www.amazon.com/Littmann-3100-Electronic-Stethoscope/dp/B002ABKJ6W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1259644781&sr=8-1
Retail is $370.00. I got my 4100 for $350.00. After using it, I’ll never go back. It has better noise canceling and “tuneability” than any I’ve ever used (from a potbelly to a Littman Cardiology III). Two of my colleagues have borrowed it for a shift, both bought one within a month. Again, I wish they sold it (cheaper) without the software, I’ve never used the CD, recorded a single sound, and I shudder to think how poor the interface would work on a Mac.
But don’t knock electronic steths until you’ve used one. I find it worth every penny of the cost (roughly double a true mechanical professional stethoscope such as a Littman III).
For an extra $100 the Littman 3200 will also pretend to hear the S3
I’m assuming it has earpieces so you can ensure you are actually recording their heartbeat….