Influence of the operating frequency and amplitude in an acoustic airway clearance device

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The company Dymedso (Boisbriand, QC) manufactures The Frequencer(TM), a digitally controlled acousticairway clearance device that promotes bronchial drainage by inducing vibrations in the chest wall of a patient.The Frequencer(TM) is recommended for patients affected by defective mucociliary clearance including cysticfibrosis (CF), chronic bronchitis, thoracic wall defects among other pathologies. With an operating frequencyof 20 to 65 Hz, The Frequencer(TM) provides a gentler therapy than the traditional "clapping" method orpostural drainage. Dymedso is looking to give an answer to its customers who claim a better mucous fluidity atfrequencies of 37 to 42 Hz. The lack of mucous fluidity in patients with CF is ascribable to its dehydration as aconsequence of insufficient excretion of NaCl to the airways, leading to the increase of secretion viscosity. Inthe project proposed we will realize a series of tests to elucidate possible mechanisms underlying the transportof water and salt (NaCl) in mucin solutions at different operating frequencies and powers of TheFrequencer(TM). The objective will be achieved applying the head of The Frequencer(TM) to the top of aad-hoc reactor containing biphasic mixtures of water and mucin solutions with salt. Besides water and saltconcentration in the artificial mucous after exposure to different operating frequencies and powers of theFrequencer(TM), we will quantify changes in mucous rheological behavior and develop a numerical model forwater and salt mass transfer through the mucin solutions.