This report originally appeared in the September 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News

Respiratory therapy is one of the most widely used medical practices in the health care industry. Widespread use can translate to big money. So, naturally, advances in respiratory equipment occur regularly in respirators, oximeters, airway pressure monitors, ventilators and other such equipment. One recent trend finds its influence in mobility and ease of transport. Manufacturers are creating more compact machines in order to take up less room in already crowded operating rooms and other places where space is at a premium.



One of the leading global providers of health care products, CareFusion, is coming out with two brand new ventilators unlike any others currently on the market. As of right now, the most compact ventilator is their LTV 1200, which weighs about 14 pounds. Soon, they will be unveiling their Palm Top Ventilators (PTVs).

The first PTV, the ENVE ventilator, is made and used for critical care. It is about the size of a tissue box and weighs approximately eight pounds. According to Kim Zipse of CareFusion, "the new PTVs have four-hour swappable batteries where, if a change of battery is needed, an internal one takes over so that respiratory therapy can continue without disruption." Providing an uninterrupted service is especially important given that respiratory ventilation is key in life or death situations.

The second series of PTVs that CareFusion is introducing is called the Revel. The Revel is a ventilator system designed for long-term care, ambulatory and airlift use. Also weighing about eight pounds, it is small and lightweight while maintaining a high level of functionality. For the most part, the Revel's production is geared towards transport, making it useful for a number of situations such as military field use.




In the past, patients needing oxygen at home have used a machine called a concentrator that relies on an electric power source and is about the size of a mini-fridge. Ken Johnston of Delta Technology, Inc., a provider of portable travel oxygen systems and accessories, says, that under the current Medicaid reimbursement policies, "Durable Medical Equipment Companies (DMEs) are required to supply eighteen months worth of concentrated oxygen." After that time, it's up to the DMEs to determine if they will continue to provide the services and at what costs. The DMEs provide an oxygen-concentrator "that weighs upwards of forty-five pounds which they consider portable," says Johnston. In order to leave home, patients would need to carry the system requiring an amount of effort difficult even for healthy individuals. Since patients will naturally find this inconvenient, they will look for more viable options, like Delta Technology's portable travel oxygen systems or CareFusion's PTVs. These concentrators are less than ten pounds and can run on batteries or house current.

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