Breathe Technologies’ NIOV System (Non-invasive Open Ventilation), a one-pound, wearable, ambulatory ventilation device, provides improvements in shortness of breath and exercise endurance for COPD patients, according to a recent publication in the American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM).
The system, which is FDA-approved for clinical and home care, increases tidal volume by providing positive pressure ventilation to patients, which significantly improves ventilation, reduces dyspnea, increases oxygenation, significantly enhance exercise endurance, and unloads respiratory muscle activity, the study reported.
Compared to long term oxygen therapy (LTOT), the NIOV system demonstrated the following, according to the same study:
- 54% increase in exercise endurance;
- 28% reduction in Borg Dyspnea Scale, a measurement of shortness of breath;
- 46% reduction in accessory respiratory muscle activation;
- Increased and maintained oxygen saturation levels during exercise from 92.7% to 98.5%
“Our study indicates that the NIOV System dramatically prolongs exercise tolerance. The magnitude of this improvement is substantially greater than what we have observed with either bronchodilator or routine oxygen therapy. It is similar to the improvements seen with pulmonary rehabilitation,” said Richard Casaburi, MD, MEng, PhD, professor of medicine and associate chief of research at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.
The NIOV System was designed to facilitate ambulation in COPD patients, who may be limited in their ability to participate in activities of daily living and exercise due to the symptoms associated with their disease.
“We believe the NIOV System may become a new standard of care for the treatment of patients with respiratory insufficiency,” said Larry Mastrovich, president and CEO of Breathe Technologies, Inc. “NIOV has the potential to transform COPD patients’ quality of life by reducing shortness of breath and increasing exercise endurance, allowing them to lead more active and independent lives.”
The NIOV System will also be subject of two presentations at CHEST 2013 from October 27-30:
- “Effect of the Breathe Noninvasive Open Ventilation (NIOV) Device on Breathing Pattern of Patients with Severe COPD,” on Sunday October 27, delivered by Matthew Cohn, MD, clinical associate, Tufts University School of Medicine.
- “Effects of Noninvasive Open Ventilator on the Tidal Volume and Inspiratory Effort During Exercise in Severe COPD,” on Wednesday October 30, delivered by Robert Cao, MD, research associate, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
