A recent study conducted by Trudell Medical International (TMI) demonstrated the effectiveness of the company’s Aerobika OPEP medical device in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a condition that affects about 250 million people in the world. The data of the study was presented at the 2014 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Conference, in Munich, Germany.
The Aerobika is a non-drug therapy, hand-held device with a pressure-oscillation dynamic that works through exhalation, which creates positive pressure and oscillations, enabling mucus clearance as well as potency in the airways. There is currently no drug treatment designed for mucus clearance, and many COPD patients suffer from excessive mucus, which can cause difficulties in breathing, inability to conduct everyday activities, and decreased quality of life.
“The results from this study provide compelling evidence that patients suffering from COPD or Bronchiectasis now have a safe and easy-to-use method to address the unmet need of mucus clearance and improve their quality of life,” explained the group director of Science and Technology at TMI, Dr. Jason Suggett. “We are also excited about the future possibility of looking at the longer term impact on patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiencies.”
The clinical trial held at The Robarts Research Institute, affiliated with the Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, revealed that patients who used the device for three weeks registered statistically significant improvements in clinical outcomes, measured by the increase of mucus clearance, the decrease of cough frequency and breathlessness, and the increase of exercise tolerance.
Patients also reported general improvements in overall quality of life, and regarding adverse events, the study registered none while patients used the device. Aerobika is currently being commercialized not only in the United States, but also in Canada, Mexico, and several European countries. The global launch is planned to continue during this year. The device was also recently granted the gold medal at the Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA), a contest that recognizes innovative medical devices that are able to improve patients’ care and quality of life.