Developing a Portable Percussion Device for the Rehabilitation of Patients with Respiratory Diseases

Kamran Azma¹ and Ali Abedinpuor²

¹Associated Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation AJA University Of Medical Sciences ,Tehran , Iran. ²MA Student in Biomedical Engineering, Sports Engineering, International University of Imam Reza, Mashhad, Iran.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1623

ABSTRACT: Having been escalating over the last 3 decades, lung conditions are one of the most significant causes of fatalities worldwide main purpose of developing a portable percussion device for the rehabilitation of patients with respiratory diseases is to drain lung secretions of patients hospitalized in ICU or other patients. The designed device somehow simulates physiotherapist’s hand move. Since the manual percussion is limited and harmful to the physiotherapist, the new device is looking for a mechanism to somehow do the linear hand move of physiotherapists. The linear move must include two main factors: 1) control of the speed of strike, and 2) control of the strength of strike. These two factors are varied across different patients. To use an electrical solenoid is, therefore, the best mechanism. Given its portability, the device can be easily used at both sides of the patient (at the back and in front of the rib cage) to get secretions drained percussion move and vibration shouldn’t be done on bone bumps along spinal column-sternum- abdomen, some ribs- stitched areas-kidneys-liver- or beneath rib cage. Reviewing the existing mechanisms of percussion, qualities such as convenience, portability and energy source availability make it possible for people other than the physiotherapist to use this technique. This device is capable of regulating speed, strength, and course according to the specific needs of patients.

KEYWORDS: physiotherapy of lung system; percussion; pulmonary diseases; techniques for cleansing the nasal passages

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