Andover, Massachusetts based mobile pulmonary function testing (PFT) specialist firm ndd Medical Technologies has announced it will partner with the COPD Foundation during its upcoming COPD9USA Conference to offer free DLCO (diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide) testing on June 5.

The test provides an objective lung function measure when screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). EasyOne Pro line of mobile ultrasound spirometry and pulmonary function testing equipment will be used to perform the free lung health screenings from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on the Conference site June 5 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Illinois.

COPD is an umbrella general categorization encompassing a range of progressive lung diseases that cause breathing difficulty, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, non-reversible asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis (a widening of the bronchial tubes in the lungs along with infection). Nearly six percent of Illinois’ population is estimated to be affected by COPD, symptoms of which can include increased breathlessness, frequent coughing (with and without sputum), wheezing, and tightness in the chest.

“COPD affects over 24 million Americans across all 50 states, of which only 12 million ha7ve been diagnosed,” says John W. Walsh, Co-founder and President of the COPD Foundation. “Since early screening can identify COPD before major loss of lung function occurs, it is vital to promote ongoing access to screening. A person may have COPD but not notice symptoms until it is in the moderate stage, so screening is an important tool to educate and help patients get tested and treated. We are grateful for partners like ndd Medical who make testing easy and accessible to those at risk. We must continue to offer such services and raise awareness about these invisible diseases.”

Mr. Walsh was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) in 1989, and upon learning there was no organized effort to promote research and find a cure for the disorder, he decided to dedicate his life’s work to changing that. He co-founded AlphaNet, a not-for profit disease management service company, in 1995, providing comprehensive care exclusively for individuals with AATD. Today, Mr. Walsh serves as AlphaNet President, and the organization provides healthcare services to 3,000 individuals with AATD in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

That same year, Mr. Walsh also co-founded the Alpha-1 Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing the leadership and resources to increase research, improve health, promote worldwide detection, and find a cure for AATD.

In 2004, Walsh formed the COPD Foundation, and has quickly expanded its breadth of education and research programs to include: the Mobile Spirometry Unit, the C.O.P.D. Information Line, the Biomarkers Qualification Consortium, COPDGENE Study, COPD Patient-Powered Research Network, the Bronchiectasis Research Registry, and the DRIVE4COPD campaign. The Foundation works to represent the interests of individuals with COPD in legislative issues.

“The COPD Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by COPD,” the organization notes. “COPD8USA reflected this commitment through interactive, practical and interprofessional educational opportunities. We realize that not everyone was able to attend the full conference, so we are pleased to be able to offer learners the opportunity to participate in this online activity. We hope that this activity will provide you with a snapshot of the exciting earning opportunities that were offered at the full conference.”

“We are pleased to be a part of this COPD Foundation screening event,” says Joy Tobin, Director of Marketing for ndd Medical Technologies. “We make time for such events to help educate and raise awareness of the prevalence of COPD, a disease that kills more women each year than breast cancer and diabetes combined. Many people remain undiagnosed, and a simple breathing test is one of the most effective ways to diagnose this deadly but treatable disease.”

ndd (the acronym stands for “new diagnostic designs”) specializes in the manufacture of pulmonary function testing instruments to address a need for improvements in early detection and therapy with increasing prevalence of asthma, allergy and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases potentially causing irreversible damage to the lungs of millions of patients.

In 1986, Dr. Christian Buess developed an ultrasound flow sensor at the Institute for Electronics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Flow sensors of this type were also used in a Space Shuttle mission and in the Russian MIR Station. In 1992, a collaboration with Professor Karl Harnoncourt was established with the goal of developing an ultrasound flow sensor for clinical routine applications. This collaboration led to the foundation of ndd Medizintechnik AG and to the development of the EasyOne spirometer.

In the year 2000, ndd Medical Technologies, Inc. was established in Andover, Massachusetts, and today, the ndd team consists of experts with decades of experience in development and distribution of spirometry products the EasyOne Plus Frontline and Easy on-PC that harnesses the computing power of your PC, laptop or tablet, leveraging premium ultrasound technology for a complete spirometry solution. With the EasyOne product family, ndd realized an easy-to-use product line that makes lung function testing faster, simpler and more reliable.

With its EasyOne family of products and as a supplier of flow sensors to OEM partners, ndd brings the advantages of ultrasound technology into clinical routine. ndd’s products are the result of two decades of research and development. OEM sensors using ndd’s Trueflow technology are implemented in instruments worldwide for diagnostic, critical care and research applications.

The calibration-free ndd Trueflow ultrasound sensor technology has proven reliable and accurate in diagnostic and critical care applications and is the basis of ndd’s success. The spirette breathing tube sets new standards in patient hygiene and minimizes equipment maintenance.

With a footprint of 12-square-inches, the EasyOne Pro Portable Single Breath DLCO Device can perform breathing tests in clinics, doctors offices and at the patient bedside. Its portability and accuracy allow for mobile PFTs in under 30 minutes so that patients’ time is used more efficiently when they receive an assessment of their condition allows EasyOne Pro allows physicians to provide their patients with prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment. Some of the many features include:

• Single Breath CO diffusion (DLCO)
• Spirometry
• Automatic calibration
• Flexible EMR capabilities
• No warm-up time
• Challenge testing
• No expensive service contracts
• High-resolution color touch screen

You can find demonstration videos here:
http://www.nddmed.com/index/training-videos

With over 40 percent of the U.S. spirometry market share, ndd Medical Technologies offers a range of pulmonary function testing instruments that help clinicians diagnose lung disease with greater precision for optimal treatment. Its EasyOne and EasyOne Pro portable instruments take up just 12 square-inches of space and take lung function testing wherever it is needed, measuring DLCO, FRC, LCI and FVC. ndd’s patented Ultrasonic TrueFlow technology requires no calibration and eliminates problems associated with traditional methods of flow measurement, making testing fast, reliable and error-free. For more information, visit:
http://www.nddmed.com

Sources:
ndd Medical Technologies
The COPD Foundation

Image Credits:
ndd Medical Technologies
The COPD Foundation