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The professional's guide to product selection
The professional's guide to product selection
The Philips VitaBreath dyspnoea relief device is intended as an adjunct therapy for people with COPD to provide short-term relief of shortness of breath associated with physical exertion. It is for use in the home and hospital/institutional environments.
VitaBreath provides two levels of pressure, one on inhalation and another on expiration, to help patients recover from shortness of breath quickly. This bi-level pressure therapy helps make it easier to breathe and keeps airways open. It detects breathing patterns to provide the right level of pressure at all times.
Stockists: Philips, but must be ordered on prescription.
On request.
2Tone trains patients to inhale at the correct speed, helping coordination, minimising waste and maximising the benefit their inhaler can give.
Stockists: Mistry Medical Supplies.
Made of porcelain, this salt pipe lasts five years. It contains 50g crystal salt. No refill is required.
Stockists: Cisca
The misuse of inhalers is common among people with asthma. Consequently, only small amounts of medication reach the patients’ lungs. The In-Check device helps to identify whether a patient is using their inhaler correctly by simulating the resistance of popular inhalers (MDIs and DPIs). This enables clinicians to train patients to use the optimal force to achieve optimal deposition of medication with a particular device.
Inspiratory flows in the range of 15 l/min to 120 l/ min can be measured. The In-Check device is accurate to +/- 10% or 10 l/min (whichever is greater).
The In-Check device is supplied with a sterilisable plastic mouthpiece and an adapter for a paediatric mouthpiece. A one-way disposable mouthpiece or a bacterial/viral filter can be used to minimise the risk of cross infection.
Stockists: Clement Clarke, Medisave.
For patients with chest congestion. The Flutter is a palm-sized mucus clearance device. Patients exhale a number of times into the mouthpiece of the Flutter, causing a steel ball to vibrate in the casing. The pressure of blowing against this steel ball makes vibrations that travel back into the lungs, where they vibrate the airways to release the mucus. It does not require batteries, and is easy to clean.
Stockists: Evergreen Nebulisers, Williams Medical Supplies.
The Haleraid helps patients grip and press the canister of their inhalers. This is useful for people who have arthritic hands or another disability affecting the hands. The Haleraid is placed around the inhaler and squeezed to deliver a dose. Various sizes are available to fit different inhalers.
Stockists: Best purchased by patients directly from pharmacies.
The Vitalograph 4500 AIM™ (Aerosol Inhalation Monitor) is designed to assist medical practitioners in assessing inhaler use, whether MDI or DPI. Mastery of the correct technique will support more accurate drug delivery and good patient compliance, resulting in better disease management and fewer visits to medical professionals.
Stockists: Vitalograph, Williams Medical Supplies, Medisave, Mistry Medical Supplies.