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

Dymedso公司（Boisbriand，QC）生产的Frequencer（TM）是一种数字控制的声学气道清除装置，通过在患者胸壁中诱导振动来促进支气管引流。Frequencer（TM）被推荐用于受粘膜纤毛清除缺陷影响的患者，包括囊性纤维化（CF）、慢性支气管炎、胸壁缺陷以及其他疾病。与20至65赫兹的工作频率，频率（TM）提供了一个温和的治疗比传统的“拍手”的方法或姿势排水。Dymedso正在寻找一个答案，它的客户谁声称更好的粘液流动性在37至42赫兹的频率。CF患者粘液流动性的缺乏是由于气道内NaCl排泄不足导致的脱水，导致分泌物粘度增加。在这个项目中，我们将实现一系列的测试，以阐明在不同的工作频率和功率的TheFrequencer（TM）的水和盐（NaCl）在粘蛋白溶液中的运输可能的机制。将Frequencer（TM）的头部应用于含有水和粘蛋白溶液与盐的两相混合物的特设反应器的顶部将实现该目的。除了水和盐浓度在人工粘液暴露于不同的工作频率和功率的频率器（TM）后，我们将量化粘液流变行为的变化，并开发一个数值模型的水和盐的质量传递通过粘蛋白的解决方案。

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.