The Lung Flute, developed by Medical Acoustics, LLC, is a revolutionary, hand-held medical device that is FDA-approved to supplement a patient's natural mucus-clearing ability. It may be especially useful for those who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Lung Flute currently has clearance for both diagnostic use (because it aids in the collection of sputum samples) and therapeutic use (because it facilitates effective airway clearance).

How It Works

According to the manufacturer, when you blow vigorously through the mouthpiece of the Lung Flute, your breath moves the reed inside which causes airway vibrations deep within the lungs. These vibrations subsequently help loosen your secretions, making them easier to cough up as they pool in the back of your throat.

Pros:

Relatively low-cost of $45.00 for the Lung Flute itself and $16.50 for replacement reeds

Lightweight, extremely easy to handle

Simple, step-by-step instructions

Frequent use is said to help prevent a build-up of mucus

Uncomplicated—consists of only a mouthpiece and reed inside a long tube

Two sessions consisting of five to 10 minutes per day are generally all you will need for effective airway clearance

Comes with 14 replacement reeds, a 6-month supply

Easy to clean using soap and hot water

Instructional video available on the website

May be partially reimbursed by Medicare and other insurance companies

Orders from Canada and the European Union do NOT require a prescription

Cons:

Requires a prescription for use in the USA

People on fixed incomes may not be able to afford one

May cause a transient, throat irritation

May be difficult to use for those who have difficulty following verbal instructions from healthcare providers

Some people may become overly tired from using the device

The condensation in the tube sometimes makes the reed stick, rendering the device temporarily ineffective

Review

While the Lung Flute may be similar to other mucus-clearing devices, its ease of use and overall accessibility make it a product that's worthy of attention for those who may benefit from it. My review is somewhat limited, however, because I don't have COPD myself, and it was difficult to determine whether or not it really worked. One patient whom I interviewed who used the device shared the following:

"At 75 years old, I was recently diagnosed with Stage II, moderate COPD. I saw an advertisement for the Lung Flute in Popular Science Magazine and decided to try it. This was in March of 2010 and I have used it religiously every day since. It was not hard for me to use, in spite of my advanced age. The only problem: The condensation from my breath makes the reed stick. My advice to other COPD patients: Be patient because it takes time to see results, just like with any other COPD treatment."

It is important to note that there are no studies yet in existence about the effects of the Lung Flute on chronic sputum clearance. One study in Japan looked at one-time sputum induction for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and this device supposedly worked, however, nothing currently exists in the medical literature confirming that the Lung Flute works well for sputum clearance in COPD. That said, this could be because the device is fairly new and additional study results are somewhere on the horizon.

Overall, the Lung Flute is easy to use and affordable. If you are an individual who has difficulty with mucus clearance, I recommend speaking to your doctor about using it as an adjunct to your current COPD treatment.