High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO)
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| Mechanism of Action |
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Efficacy of HFCWO |
High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO)
has been a very effective form of airway clearance therapy
for over a decade. HFCWO creates a gentle and rapid "SQUEEZE
and RELEASE" action around the chest from 5 to 20 times per
second.
The SmartVest® delivers
air pulses supplied to the body from the generator via the
unique inflatable vest, with a unique single hose design,
giving the patient more maneuverability during treatment.
The action of rapidly compressing and releasing the chest
creates air pulses, or air flows, within the airways that
act like repetitive "mini-coughs".
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HFCWO has been studied extensively, often comparing
it to "hospital quality" chest physical therapy (CPT), a
level of treatment that can rarely be maintained in the home.
In contrast, the quality of HFCWO treatment does not change
in home settings. CPT requires a caregiver to clap and vibrate
the chest wall to loosen the secretions. This is combined
with placing the patient in head-down positions so gravity
may assist secretions in draining from the airway. Unlike
CPT, HFCWO is technique-independent, eliminating inconsistencies
in clapping or cupping by the caregiver. Also, because HFCWO
employs a mechanism different than that of CPT, it has advantages
that make it a superior choice for home airway clearance
therapy.
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| The "mini-coughs" produced with SmartVest®
HFCWO treatments: |
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shear
the mucus away from the walls of the airways |
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reduce
the viscosity of the secretions, and |
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propel
the mucus towards the larger airways where it can be
expectorated or suctioned more easily. |
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Advantages of HFCWO therapy include:
Greater independence and adherence to prescribed
treatment |
Most patients can self-administer the treatment, eliminating
dependence on a caregiver's ability and availability, and
preventing missed treatments due to lack of access to treatment.
The SmartVest® System is designed
for travel and portability, increasing independence. |
Greater comfort and privacy |
By eliminating the need for head-down positioning, patients
who cannot tolerate positioning still have access to highly
effective treatment with HFCWO. The compressions of the vest
are gentler than the clapping of CPT and the SmartVest® is
soft and breathable against the skin. The air pulse generator
is designed to avoid the appearance of medical equipment
to provide a better level of privacy to the patient. |
Time
savings |
All areas of the lung are treated simultaneously and nebulized
therapies can often be incorporated into the treatment session,
allowing the patient to complete multiple therapies at the
same time. A typical treatment is administered twice a day
and can take from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on physician
order. |
| Electromed's SmartVest® Airway
Clearance System is designed to deliver High Frequency
Chest Wall Oscillation to promote airway clearance and
improve bronchial drainage. It is available only by prescription. |
For
references contact Electromed, Inc. at 1-800-462-1045 or click
here
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