General PHYSIOTHERAPY Vibracare User Manual

Included Accessories

Soft Foam Applicator

(AP253)

Percussion

(“Cupping”) Applicator

(AP251)

Self Application Package

(Available Separately)

Custom Foam Pad

6 Applicator Covers

(APC234)

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 minutes 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 Vibracare Directional-Stroking percussor is designed as a mechanical
adjunct for use in segmental bronchial drainage procedures. Mechanical
Directional-Stroking Percussion is consistently effective and is a time and
cost saver. With mechianical percussion, the last patient of the day re­ceives the same treatment as the fi rst.

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.

Contraindications:Timing of Treatments

Normal precautions should be observed in the use of the G5 Vibracare
Percussor 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, pneumothorax, &
lung tumors.

7. Over the eyes

8. Over varicose veins

9. Over the throat

10. When the patient if hyper-sensitive to vibration

11. Acute severe episodes of bronchospasm

12. Unrepaired tracheo-esophagel fi stulae

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

14. Hypoxemia

15. Left-heart failure or cor pulmonate

16. Dislodgement of foreign bodies

Always unplug this appliance immediately after use.

Cautions:

•
Do not fall asleep while using the Vibracare.

•
Use of the Vibracare by children or debilitated

•
persons should be supervised by an adult or medical
professional.

Do not immurse 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, Vibracare, Directional-Stroking, System H. Cuinier

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

©2004 General Physiotherapy, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

®

GENERAL PHYSIOTHERAPY, INC.

Vibracare

®

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 Vibracare Customer:
We have designed and manufactured the G5

Vibracare percussor to allow home-care patients the
opportunity to produce segmental bronchial drainage
for themselves by means of self application - quietly,
safely, and comfortably.

G5 Vibracare Percussors are designed to be used in
the home as well as in hospital/clinic environments.
They are attractive, quiet and easy to use. Micro-amp
leakage is within hospital standards. Most importantly,
they are effective in loosening and helping to mobilize
bronchial secretions. For best performance and prop­er usage practices, please read this operating instruc­tion manual thoroughly. This manual is applicable to
all G5 Vibracare Percussor models. If you have any
additional questions, please do not hesitate to call us,
or your local G5 distributor.

Component Check List

Included with your Vibracare are the following accessories:

1. Vibration Applicator

2. Percussion (Cupping) Applicator

3. Soft Foam Applicator

4. 6 Applicator Covers

5. Warranty Card

6. Operating Instruction Manual

The G5 Vibracare incorporates percussive Directional-Stroking® action.

Directional-Stroking

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:

B.

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.

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 the G5 Vibracare Percussor 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 Vib­racare. 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 the Vibracare. T o 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 Vibracare, 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

The G5 Vibracare Percussor requires no mechanical maintenance or
any lubrication, ever. Upon reciept of your Vibracare, 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 Vibracare dealer, or directly to General
Physiotherapy, Inc. The plastic motor housing and the plastic applicator
handle can be cleaned with any normal household spray cleanser. How­ever, never immerse any part of your Vibracare 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 Vibracare 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 of your Vibracare
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-or­left 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
applicator 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