good cause help needed !!!!!

[trekkerglenn]

hi all,

I'm asking here as I know there is a massive amount of engineering skill on this forum.

my son is terminally ill and i'm wanting to "re create" a vibrating vest for part of his treatment.

without going into too much detail he has Cystic Fibrosis, as a result he has huge chest issues.

there is a US company called Thevest but the info is a little vague and i'm not too sure of the cost or if they supply to the UK. however i'd like to put a personal touch on this and if possible make it something I've created to help my son.

it doesnt have to be anything fancy, to give you an idea he already uses a Vibraplate, the kind women have to lose weight but its a little annoying for him as he stands up on it but in all honesty its the chest/vest application that would see 100 of the benefit

so, can you engineer types suggest some mad (and easily bought/fixed together) components to help us along with his treatment

many thanks if you can offer some help

[omega]

ladies toys that vibrate!!
the parts are small and light and you can get remote ones as well
just a thought.

[tineca]

Looking at the vest it pulses air to press against the chest wall and then relax again. Not sure if something that vibrates woul do it. Might be best to use a small compressor like the ones used for air horns and then inflate some series of inner tubes. Best of luck and hope you can get something to help

[spandelly]

I haven't seen this but from the above post it sounds a bit like an auto blood pressure cuff on a larger scale. My mother in law uses something similar for limphedemia. What you need for this would be a tight fitting jacket that won't expand like a gortex jacket. Then sew some inner tubes into the lining and connect up the valves. Fit some kind of pressure release valve to it and hook it up to a small tyre compressor. Should do the trick.

[fred]

I really have no ideas right now, but if you could get some price on the vest from the US I will make a donation towards it, or indeed a donation to anyone on here who could fabricate one

[spandelly]

On the other hand if it is a vibrating vest you need then a workmans vest with the pockets for tools. Fit a couple of bits of wood to it and two motors with eccentric cams fitted onto them. One on each side fitted to the wood securely would provide enough vibration. If you get a couple of old cordless drills the motors and batteries from them would be cheap enough and would be fairly easy to make a prototype.

[trekkerglenn]

thanks guys for the help so far, I'm afraid I failed to mention in my first post I personally have the engineering skills of a demented goat!!!

Fred, what an amazing and kind gesture, i'd feel awkward receiving donations tbh but if someone could go balls out to either explain to a demented goat how to do this in laymans terms or easy enough instructions to pass onto a chap who could, that'd be awesome

thanks again, lovely to see people like you are still out there

[Imperial]

I don't know if it's any use but some cars (mercs) have vibrating massage seats, might be worth a punt.I'm guessing all the bits you'll need are in ine place
Hth
Andy

[awoo]

could you describe the effect that the vest is meant to achieve? it would be easier to address the problem

I'm guessing its to stimulate blood flow, is that right? or would it be large vibrations to kind of jostle his lungs and stimulate them some how?

knowing this sort of thing would just help come up with ideas

[BenHancock]

Jun 21, 2014 14:30:44 GMT awoo said:

could you describe the effect that the vest is meant to achieve? it would be easier to address the problem

I'm guessing its to stimulate blood flow, is that right? or would it be large vibrations to kind of jostle his lungs and stimulate them some how?

knowing this sort of thing would just help come up with ideas

Taken from the web....

High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation
HFCWO (sometimes know as Vest therapy) has been used in the USA for many years. It is now available to purchase in the UK.

ƒThe equipment consists of an electric air compressor which is connected to an inflatable jacket

ƒThe compressor sends pulses of air into the jacket, which vibrates the chest wall and lungs within.


My Knowledge....

In the UK they are generally known as percussion vests. They work on the same premise as "percussion" which is a technique to help move sputum into the larger airways.

I would think using a number of blood pressure cuffs hooked up to an air pulse generator of some sort would work. I couldn't help anymore with the design though I'm afraid.

[maybachman]

Some random thoughts..... how about starting with a normal car tyre compressor. AFAIK they use 'pulses' to inflate tyres. These 'pulses' are produced by the miniture compressor running at 12V. They are very fast at 12V... but could you reduce the speed by reducing the voltage, and/or some kind of resistor to alter the speed?

Could the jacket be made from a cycle or m/cycle inner tube somehow?

ok ill return to my cave now:)

[maybachman]

Jun 21, 2014 14:30:44 GMT awoo said:

could you describe the effect that the vest is meant to achieve? it would be easier to address the problem

I'm guessing its to stimulate blood flow, is that right? or would it be large vibrations to kind of jostle his lungs and stimulate them some how?

knowing this sort of thing would just help come up with ideas

I think its to do with the build up of sputum in the respatory tract. Too much build up can lead to infection.You often see people with C/F cough alot.

[maybachman]

How much are the units to buy??

[trekkerglenn]

Thanks all. And yes the explanations so far over how it works and why is bang on correct.

I can only find two USA companies that "sell" it. Its prescription only and is around $15-$20k !!!!!

[fred]

For all the clever bods, check out this link on Percussion vests

Percussion Vest

I had a feeling they would be asking a kings ransom for it

[smurf]

Right, Heres my idea

Theres a ladies "toy on the market, proper powerful and has a fair few (10) vibrating settings( and they are realy strong motors too) i can email you a link if you pm me your email address

Attach 4 of these on a jacket/t shirt etc with some elastic stitched on and it might work to help your nippers chest loosen up

It would set you back a grand total of 80 quid and a bit of thick elastic

10 mins with a needle and thread and its done


Hope the idea can work

Luke

[trekkerglenn]

Luke.

I applaud your thinking but I'm not 100% struck on a vest full of vibros haha.

Are you suggesting sewing them into a vest/jacket and switching them on one by one or just using the motor/vibration parts??

Also Keep the ideas coming guys please

[retrowrongun]

Hats off to those guys coming up with ideas , don't really have any ideas myself but am another that would willingly donate some money for vest !!

[smurf]

Jun 23, 2014 19:46:48 GMT trekkerglenn said:

Luke.

I applaud your thinking but I'm not 100% struck on a vest full of vibros haha.

Are you suggesting sewing them into a vest/jacket and switching them on one by one or just using the motor/vibration parts??

Also Keep the ideas coming guys please

You could do either of those ideas,

Or take apart a drill and mount a counterweight in the chuck

Encase it in a rigid tube for safety and with the trigger mech changed for a potentiometer and a switch, you could adjust the speed of the rotation for the best effect


In all honesty, if my nippers were diagnosed with CF , i think id be willing to try anything including home brew dildo shirts

Hell, id make a pair of trousers for the mrs while i was at it

[fred]

The inner tubes and compressor attached to a rheostat sounds like a plan
like a big variable blood pressure cuff