Electromed (New Prague, MN) has received FDA approval for its next generation airway clearance system called SmartVest SQL. The SmartVest System makes use of high frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) to clear mucus in the airways. HFCWO is prescribed is a last option by physicians when chest congestion cannot be cleared by more conventional therapies such as drugs, chest physical therapy, special coughing techniques, or cough-assist aids. The HFCWO mucous drainage therapy is prescribed for patients with long term pulmonary issues such as bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy, and has so far been used to treat chest congestion associated with more than 400 different medical conditions including neuromuscular and immune disorders.
The system consists of a wearable vest with an inflatable air bladder that is connected by a hose to a programmable air compressor. When the patient wearing the vest turns on the air compressor, pulses of air enter the air bladder within the vest in repetitive cycles that create a “squeeze and release” action on the upper body. The squeezing action serves as a “mini-cough,” helping to dislodge mucus from the airways and reducing the thickness of the mucus to help it propel towards larger airways. Patients are recommended to use the device twice a day for about 15 to 30 minutes with the air compressor programmed to deliver 5 to 20 compressions per second. The FDA approved SQL version of the SmartVest is lighter, quieter and smaller than previous generations and features with an improved generator, optimized pause feature, and a more user friendly graphical interface.
Press release: Electromed, Inc. Receives FDA Market Clearance for the SmartVest® SQL™…
Product page: SmartVest System…