Smiths Medical Launches Vibratory PEP Device for Lung Disorders

Smiths Medical has launched a medical device designed to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory diseases to clear secretions from their lungs and breathe better.

“The introduction of the acapella choice blue therapy system enhances the quality of life for those living with chronic respiratory conditions,” Tom Wortham, a registered respiratory therapist and clinical consultant for Smiths Medical, said in a press release. “These conditions are often characterized by frequent trips to the emergency department, hospitalizations and significant impact on the daily activities of living.”

The acapella system is a supplemental treatment that can be used to deliver medications effectively when combined with a nebulizer, according to the company. It can also be easily disassembled for cleaning and disinfection, and washed in a regular dishwasher.

The device is designed to provide a type of non-pharmacological therapy called vibratory positive expiratory pressure (PEP). In PEP, a person breathes through a device that allows air to flow in normally while inhaling. When the person exhales, the device offers resistance, making it harder to exhale and forcing a person to breathe more forcefully.

This more forceful breathing helps to push mucus out of the lungs, while helping the airways to remain open, ultimately making breathing easier. Vibratory PEP is thought to reduce COPD flare-ups, as well as the length of hospital stays.

The acapella system is designed to allow PEP to be administered in any position, including while sitting, standing, lying down, or in the Trendelenburg position (when a person lays on an inclined table, such that their head is tilted down while their feet point up). The system also makes it easy for users to adjust the resistance level according to their own needs.

“The acapella choice blue system is a solution designed to meet the needs of these patients and positively impact their quality of life by decreasing hospital length of stay and exacerbations of their disease,” said Wortham.

The system is also designed to be used by patients with cystic fibrosis, asthma, lung disease with secretory problems, or atelectasis (complete or partial lung collapse).