Introducing the Portex® Acapella® Choice Blue Vibratory Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) Therapy System

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smiths Medical, a leading medical device manufacturer, today announces the launch of the acapella^® choice blue vibratory PEP therapy system. Acapella^® is designed to aid in the removal of secretions for patients who have Cystic Fibrosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, lung disease with secretory problems, and patients with atelectasis.

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Portex® Acapella® Choice Blue Vibratory Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) Therapy System (Photo: Business Wire)

Vibratory PEP therapy is a drug free supplemental treatment that can reduce COPD flare-ups¹ and hospital length of stay by 1.5 days.² The acapella^® choice blue system is designed to:

• Effectively deliver medication when combined with a nebulizer³
• Achieve PEP in any position, whether sitting, standing, lying down or Trendelenburg
• Allow patients to easily adjust the resistance level to meet their therapeutic needs
• Be disassembled for easy cleaning and disinfection in a variety of ways, including in the dishwasher

“The introduction of the acapella^® choice blue therapy system enhances the quality of life for those living with chronic respiratory conditions,” said Tom Wortham, RRT, Clinical Consultant for Smiths Medical. “These conditions are often characterized by frequent trips to the emergency department, hospitalizations and significant impact on the daily activities of living.⁴ 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.” ^1,2

“The increase in prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases continues to be a significant economic burden on our healthcare system and the economy. In 2010 the cost of COPD in the US was projected at $49.9B, which includes $20B in indirect costs and $30B in direct healthcare expenditures, with the highest direct costs associated with in-patient visits and hospitalizations,”⁴ said Dr. Veffa Devers Smiths Medical Vice President Global Clinical Excellence, Strategic Alliances and Advocacy. Annualized medical expenditures among US workers were $7B for asthma and $5B for COPD with impatient visits associated with the highest average per person expenditures for both conditions. Chronic respiratory conditions are characterized by frequent hospitalizations, diminished quality of life and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.”⁴

For more information about the acapella^® choice blue vibratory PEP therapy system, visit www.smiths-medical.com/acapella.

About Smiths Medical
A leading supplier of specialized medical devices and equipment for global markets, focusing on the medication delivery, vital care and safety devices market segments. For more information, visit www.smiths-medical.com.

About Smiths Group
A global technology company that has been operating for nearly 170 years, delivering products and services for the medical technology, security and defense, general industrial, energy and space and commercial aerospace markets worldwide. Smiths Group plc employs c. 23,000 colleagues in over 50 countries and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information visit www.smiths.com.

References:

1. Tse, J., Wada, K., Wang, Y., Coppolo, D., Kushnarev, V., & Suggett, J. (2020). Impact of Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure Device Use on Post-Discharge Hospitalizations: A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Patients with COPD or Chronic Bronchitis Using the Aerobika^® and Acapella^® Devices. International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 15, 2527–2538.
2. Milan S, Bondalapati P, Megally M, Patel E, Vaghasia P, Gross L, Bachman EM, Chadha P, Weingarten JA. Positive Expiratory Pressure Therapy with And Without Oscillation and Hospital Length of Stay for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2019 Nov 20;14:2553-2561.
3. Mesquita FO, Galindo-Filho VC, Neto JL, Galvão AM, Brandão SC, Fink JB, Dornelas-de-Andrade A. Scintigraphic assessment of radio-aerosol pulmonary deposition with the acapella positive expiratory pressure device and various nebulizer configurations. Respir Care. 2014 Mar;59(3):328-33. doi: 10.4187/respcare.02291. Epub 2013 Aug 6. PMID: 23920214. Guarascio J Anothny et al. Clinicoecon Outcomes Res. 2013June 17:5:235-45.
4. Syamlal G, Bhattacharya A, Dodd KE. Medical Expenditures Attributed to Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Workers – United States, 2011-2015.

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