Tiny fan that builds up strength in weak lungs

A fAn-like device that fires blasts of air into the mouth could ease breathing difficulties caused by chronic lung diseases such as emphysema.

Results from a trial of 23 patients at the University of leicester showed that those who used the device three times a day for eight weeks experienced significant improvements in their symptoms. The hand-held, tube- shaped device has a mouthpiece that patients breathe in and out of to open and shut a valve.

The valve ‘oscillates’ as they do this, creating resistance, which, in turn, causes vibrations in the patient’s chest wall that work the lung muscles harder, and so improves respiratory fitness.