General PHYSIOTHERAPY FLIMM FIGHTER User Manual

Included Accessories

Percussion

(“Cupping”) Applicator

(AP251)

Self Application Package

(Available Separately)

Custom Foam Pad

Vibration

Applicator

(AP250)

Velcro

Positioning Belt

The time of application is dependent upon each individual’s extent and
nature of bronchial congestion. In general, treatment times should be
identical with manual treatment times. (i.e. one to two munites of percus­sion per bronchial segment, each interspersed with huffi ng and coughing
procedures to bring up and clear loosened mucous secretions).

Indications for Use

The Flimm-Fighter Directional-Stroking percussor is designed as a
mechanical adjunct for use in segmental bronchial drainage procedures.
It is not intended for use in situations where a qualifi ed and experienced
physical therapist or respiratory therapist is regularly available to provide
bronchial drainage my manual means. However, in situations where no
qualifi ed therapist is readily available, the use of a mechanical adjunct for
segmental bronchial drainage may be preferable to either no therapy or
to therapy by an inexperienced lay person.

Segmental bronchial drainage is indicated for individuals with:
A. Increased production or increased viscosity of bronchial
secretions.
B. Impairment in the normal functional removal of bronchial
secretions.
C. Ineffective cough mechanism
D. Weakness of respiratory muscle function

Accordingly, segmental bronchial drainage is indicated for individuals
with:
A. Cystic Fibrosis
B. Bronchiectasis
C. Chronic Bronchitis
D. Atelectasis
E. Asthma
F. Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

As a preventative technique, segmental bronchial drainage can benefi t
individuals with:
A. Predisposition toward increased production or increased viscosity of
bronchial secretions.
B. Muscular weakness of the chest
C. Shallow respiration due to chest weakness, chest pain or neueromus­ cular abnormality.

When used prophylactively in post-op chest surgical patients, segmental
bronchial drainage is helpful in preventing post-operative pneumonia or
atelectasis.

ContraindicationsTiming of Treatments

Normal precautions should be observed in the use of your Flimm-Fighter
due to its deep vibratory and percussive penetration. Do not use:

1. Over acute infl ammation

2. Over hemmorrhaging areas

3. Over skin lesions

4. Over maligant lesions

5. Thrombophlebitis and Lymphangitis

6. Over Lung Abscesses, pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumotho­ rax, & lung tumors.

7. Over the eyes

8. Over varicose veins

9. When the patient if hyper-sensitive to vibration

10. Acute severe episodes of bronchospasm

11. Unrepaired tracheo-esophagel fi stulae

12. Post-operative co-arctation of the aorta and heart valve
replacement

13. Hypoxemia

14. Left-heart failure or cor pulmonate

15. Dislodgement of foreign bodies

Do not sharply bend the fl exible drive cable while

Cautions:

•
the machine is operating. This may cause premature
product failure.

Do not immurse the motor housing or the applicator

•
handle in any liquid.

Do not subject the unit to extreme temperature

•
conditions (i.e. below-freezing; placement on radia­tors, etc.)

Operating

Instruction

Manual

®

GENERAL PHYSIOTHERAPY, INC.

13222 Lakefront Drive • Earth City (St. Louis) • Missouri 63045-1504 • U.S.A.

Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • Web Site: www.g5.com

U.S. Patent No. 4,098,266
U.K. Patent No. 1,546,271

Canadian Patent No. 1,108,955

G5 the G5 logo, the GPI logo, Flimm-Fighter, Directional-Stroking and
Vari-Tilt are Registered Trademarks of General Physiotherapy, Inc.

The Made in the U.S.A. logo is a trademark of General Physiotherapy,
Inc.

Other Patents Pending

©2003 General Physiotherapy, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

®

GENERAL PHYSIOTHERAPY, INC.

Operating

Instruction

Manual

GENERAL PHYSIOTHERAPY, INC.

13222 Lakefront Drive • Earth City (St. Louis) • Missouri 63045-1504 • U.S.A.

Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • Web Site: www.g5.com

®

Dear Flimm-Fighter Customer:
We have designed and manufactured the Flimm-

Fighter system to allow home-care patients the
opportunity to produce segmental bronchial
drainage for themselves by means of self appli­cation - quietly, safely, and comfortably. Flimm­Fighters are designed to be used in the home!
They are attractive, noiseless, and don’t interfear
with TV, conversation, or radio reception. Most
importantly, they are effective in loosening and
in helping to mobilize bronchial secretions. For
best performance and proper usage practices,
please read this operating manual thorougly.
This manual is applicable to all Flimm-Fighter
models. If you have any questions, please don’t
hesitate to call us, or your local Flimm-Fighter
distributor.

Component Check List

Included with your Flimm-Fighter are the following accessories:

1. Vibration Applicator

2. Percussion (Cupping) Applicator

3. Warranty Card

4. Operating Instruction Manual

All Flimm-Fighters incorporate our patented percussive Directional-

Directional-Stroking

Stroking® action. This rotational directional stroke has two force compo­nents: One perpendicular to the body, to help loosen mucous, and the
other, parallel to the body, to help move mucous in the direction you se­lect. While in use, the applicator handle is always to be positioned so that
the red arrow on the handle points in the direction you wish to mobilize
mucousal secretions.

®

Self-Application

The Self Application Kit is available separately and is supplied with a Vel­cro Positioning Belt and Custom Foam Pad, to permit self-application of
percussion on the back. And, to provide self-application while leaving the
patient’s hands free. Please follow the procedure below for proper usage
of the Self Application Kit:

A.

Lay the applicator
handle (A) into the
Custom Foam Pad
(B). The Velcro hook
and loop sections
will hold the handle
securely in place.

B.

Next, attach the
Velcro Belt (C) to the
back of the Custom
Foam Pad (B). The
pad is always to be
positioned so that the
arrow points in the
direction you wish to
mobilize mucous.

C.

Wrap the Velcro Belt
(C) around your body.
Be certain that the
Foam Pad and appli­cator handle are posi­tioned at the locaion
of desired percussion.
Insert the black tab
section of the belt
through the stainless
steel cinch-ring (D)
and pull to tighten.
Apply the black hook
section of the tab to
the tan loop section
of the belt, securing it
fi rmly in place.

D.

Self Application

Without Pad and Belt

The applicator handle of your Flimm-Fighter is designed for the shape
and size of your hand. To self-apply without use of the pad and belt, sim­ply hold the applicator handle in your hand and turn on the machine. (Do
not turn on the machine unless you are holding the applicator handle. If
the machine is turned on while the applicator handle isn’t being held in
your hand, the applicator handle will vibrate without restraint).

With the applicator handle in your hand, turn the machine on, then place
the nylon-cushioned section of the applicator on your chest or side. Be
certain to be in the proper postural drainage position prior to applying
the applicator. Proper positioning is critical to the effective use of your
Flimm-Fighter. Mobilizing of mucous secretions effectively depends upon
correct positioning (to take advantage of the force of gravity), plus the ad­ditional effect of the Directional-Stroking provided by your Flimm-Fighter.
To take advantage of the directionality of the stroke, always be sure that
the red arrow on the applicator is pointing in the direction that you want
mucous to fl ow.

To increase the percussive effect of your Flimm-Fighter, hold the handle
at the connecting-cable end (furthest away from the red arrow). To mini­mize or reduce the percussive effect, hold the applicator handle by the
round, palm section.

Care and Maintenance

Your Flimm-Fighter requires no mechanical maintenance or any lubrica­tion, ever. Upon reciept of your Flimm-Fighter, promptly inspect the unit
for possible shipping damage. Then, complete and mail the warranty
service card back to General Physiotherapy, Inc. At no time should
the machine be dismantled for repair. If the machine does not function
properly, return it to your local Flimm-Fighter dealer, or directly to us. The
plastic motor housing and the plastic applicator handle can be cleaned
with any normal household spray cleanser. However, never immerse the
motor housing or the applicator head or handle in any liquid. The Velcro
Belt is machine washable.

Postural Drainage Positioning

The following paragraphs illustrate several positions to assume for effective segmental

bronchial drainage. In all cases, the applicator handle should be positioned so that the

arrow points in the direction that you wish to mobilize mucous.

To drain the anterior (i.e. front)
segment of your upper lobes: Lie
on your back on a fl at surface.
Place a Vari-Tilt® adjustable po­sitioning board under your waist.
Apply the pad of your Flimm­Fighter applicator directly on your
chest, below your clavicles (i.e.
collarbone). Reverse the location
of the applicator for right-or-left
side drainage. Be certain that the
direction of stroke (per red arrow)
is always pointing medially toward
your sternum (i.e. breastbone).

In all cases, apply the cushioned face of the applicator on yourself at the
locations indicated above and hold in place for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Then,
turn the machine off, inhale deeply, and utilize a “huffi ng” or “coughing”
procedure to bring up mucous for expectoration. After expectoration,
move the applicator to the next bronchial segment and repeat the above
procedure until all bronchial segments have been cleared.

To drain the superior (i.e. upper)
segment of your lower lobes: Lie
face down on a fl at surface. Place
a Vari-Tilt® adjustable position­ing board under your waist. Apply
the pad with Velcro Belt and
Foam Pad just below the lower
tip of your scapula (i.e. shoulder
blades). Reverse the location of
applicator to either side of your
spinal column, for right-or-left side
drainage. Be certain that the direc­tion of stroke is always pointing
medially toward your spine.

To drain the posterior (i.e. back)
segment of your upper lobes: Sit
on the edge of a bed or chair.
Lean foward at a 30 degree angle.
Apply the applicator pad between
scapula and clavicle (i.e. collar­bone). Reverse the location of the
applicator to either side of your
spinal column for right-or-left side
drainage. To self-apply, you can
use the Velcro Belt/Foam Pad sys­tem, or, the applicator can simply
be hand-held. Be certain that the
direction of stroke is always point­ing toward your spine.

It should be noted that a tilt-board such as the G5 Vari-Tilt
positioning board is recommended for most positions. The G5 Vari-Tilt®
adjustable positioning board accommodates the full range of exact pos­tural drainage incline positions. The foam pad density is designed so as
NOT to absorb vibration and percussion, which would otherwise reduce
procedure effectiveness.

To drain the lingular (i.e. middle)
segment of your left lung: Lie on
your right side, elevate your legs
and feet with pillows; your knees
should be fl exed. Apply the ap-
plicator pad over your left nipple
area. To drain the middle lobe of
your right lung, lie on your left side
and use the same procedure. To
self-apply, you can use the Velcro
Belt/Foam Pad system, or, the ap­plicator can simply be hand-held.
Be cartain that the direction of
stroke is always pointing medically
toward your sternum.

®

adjustable