The Lung Flute

Best of What's New 2009: Playing the Lung Flute from PopSci.com on Vimeo.

I admit, I was a bit skeptical about this device (it reminded me of ear candles), but apparently it's for real. The inventor had evidently spent 15 years working on a loud speaker system to vibrate the chest cavity at 16hz (the same frequency as the cilia lining your airways) to loosen mucus when he hit on the flute idea accidentally. The insane thing is that you can't get one until the FDA approves it for therapeutic use, and even then you will only be able to get one with a prescription. Seriously, WTF is up with that? Why does the FDA have to get involved with a $40 plastic doohickey that has the potential to make millions of folks feel better, especially during a flu pandemic. I think we would all be better served if the FDA spent their time inspecting hamburger factories instead.