Smiths Medical Acapella Choice
Building on the success of the original Acapella device, Smiths asked Brownlie Design to develop the next generation product to better meet the patient’s needs. Using the existing internal flutter mechanism to create vibrations that loosens secretions in the lungs, Brownlie Design created a two part hinged housing that allows for easy cleaning, a feature not incorporated into the original design. The mouth piece is first removed to unhinge and separate the housing halves for washing. Because the internals originally were inaccessible, features were added to the mechanism to aid in handling and reassembly. By integrating the flow tube into the lower housing half, the assembly was simplified and the overall cost reduced. The shape echoed the original product, which was important to maintain the flow characteristics, but an improved grip was provided to aid people with compromised abilities.