The viscoelasticity of the sputum was evaluated using a magnetic microrheometer. No significant changes were noted for FVC, FEV1, or sputum volume throughout the study. The flutter device involves airflow oscillations generated by a steel ball inside a pipe like device during exhalation through the device. The oscillations and the resulting airflow and the pressure changes are transmitted into the airways and mobilize the secretions and also reduce their viscoelasticity. This device is being used at many cystic fibrosis centers for airway clearance technique.
Autogenic drainage is a self care technique designed to help patient to expectorate secretions.
Original technique involved exhaling to residual volume and tidal breathing at three levels from this point onwards, each level at increasing volumes towards total lung capacity. In fact, this technique is being used in conjunction with other airway clearing techniques such as flutter and vests. Following study looks at effect of flutter and autogenic drainage on the rheological characterstics of cystic fibrosis sputum. Continuous positive airway pressure and forced expiratory flows in infants with tracheomalacia Stephanie Davis, Marcus Jones, Jeff Kisling, Connie Angelicchio, and Robert S. Tepper Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Forced Expiratory Flows in Infants with Tracheomalacia Am. The fact that FEFs measured at the same lung volumes did not differ for the different levels of CPAP indicates that CPAP affects forced flows primarily by increasing lung volume.