Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that cause persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time.
In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage, and eventually, respiratory failure.
Cystic Fibrosis by the Numbers
• There are currently about 30,000 people living with cystic fibrosis in the United States (more than 100,000 worldwide).
• Around 10,400 people in the United Kingdomn have cystic fibrosis; that’s 1 in every 2,500 babies born.
Parents, family members, or at-home caregivers who are responsible for delivering manual chest physiotherapy (MCT) to CF patients.
These individuals often lack formal training and seek a reliable, guided method to apply MCT safely and effectively in a home environment.
Manual Chest Physiotherapy (MCT) involves a series of techniques aimed at loosening and mobilizing mucus in the lungs. Here's a simplified explanation of how it's applied:
1-Positioning: The patient is placed in specific postural drainage positions to help mucus move from the lungs toward the throat.
2-Percussion: The caregiver gently claps the chest and back using cupped hands to create vibrations that help dislodge mucus from the airway walls.
3-Vibration: During exhalation, caregivers apply a gentle, vibrating pressure on the chest wall to further move the mucus upward.
4-Coughing or Suctioning: After treatment, the patient is encouraged to cough or use suctioning techniques to expel the loosened mucus.
Consistency, proper technique, and caregiver education are key to effective home-based MCT.
Field research was conducted at Hacettepe University Hospital, where I had the opportunity to observe the daily routines and treatment experiences of patients diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
Through these on-site visits, I observed that physiotherapy is an essential part of airway clearance and is often supported by caregivers at home or in clinical settings. Caregivers play an active role in helping patient perform manual chest physiotherapy techniques regularly. I also identified that a variety of medical devices are used to help loosen and clear the mucus buildup in the lungs.
However, many of these devices are large, stationary, and not designed with CF patients in mind—particularly infants and toddlers. This makes them difficult to use in home environments and limits accessibility for families managing CF care outside of clinical settings.
Providing manual chest physiotherapy (MCT) at home can be overwhelming for caregivers, especially when treating infants. Many parents lack proper training and confidence, making it difficult to apply the correct pressure and rhythm during therapy sessions.
This reflects a common reality for many families: emotional distress, uncertainty about technique, and the absence of professional guidance create significant barriers to consistent and effective care.
Through Bluetooth pairing between smart vest and mobile app, aircircle provides real-time guidance during chest physiotherapy, showing caregivers whether the technique is performed correctly and which chest area needs treatment, ensuring safer and more effective home care.
🇦🇪 Global Grad Show 2019 – Dubai Design Week
AirCircle was invited to the Global Grad Show during Dubai Design Week 2019, an international exhibition that showcases innovative projects from top universities around the world. The event highlights solutions addressing social, medical, and environmental challenges.
AirCircle was featured for its human-centered approach in improving home-based physiotherapy for cystic fibrosis patients, representing a novel contribution to global health innovation.
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