Portable Breathing System Ameliorates Respiratory Insufficiency

A wearable ventilation system reduces the “work of breathing” for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Breathe Non-Invasive Open Ventilation (NIOV) system is intended to provide augmented tidal volume for patients suffering from COPD (including Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency), interstitial lung disease (ILD), neuromuscular conditions, and pre- and post-lung-transplant who are still capable of spontaneously breathing with a minimum tidal volume of 3.5 cc/kg of predicted body weight. The system is designed for continuous applications, such as during patient ambulation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and other rehabilitation efforts in an institutional or home care environment.


The lightweight (less than 0.5 kg) noninvasive mechanical ventilator utilizes venturi principle technology to unload the ancillary respiratory muscles, thus reducing dyspnea (shortness of breath), increasing oxygenation, and enhancing exercise endurance. The system is capable of ventilating patients by delivering total tidal volume of up to 1,150 mL and positive inspiratory pressure of up to 18 cm H2O. Detecting spontaneous breathing via sensor ports located in the nasal interface, the system then delivers synchronized volumes of air and oxygen at rates of up to 40 breaths per minute.

Intended for operation by trained personnel, patients, or caregivers under the direction of a physician, users are able to select from three clinician-programmed activity settings to best meet their individual needs, which can also be customized to each patient’s requirements. A comfortable facial interface--available in four sizes--supports patient mobility and independence. The Breathe NIOV System is a product of Breathe Technologies (Irvine, CA, USA), and has received the European Community CE marking of approval.

“Our experience with the Breathe Non-Invasive Open Ventilation System in the United States reaffirms the importance of ventilation with ambulation for people with respiratory insufficiency diseases, including COPD,” said Larry Casey, MD, PhD, of Franciscan Healthcare (La Crosse, WI, USA). “I expect that the improvements in exercise duration and reduction in exacerbations seen among patients using the NIOV will resonate with physicians and patients in the EU.”

COPD is an obstructive lung disease characterized by chronically poor airflow that typically worsens over time. The main symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of COPD, with a number of other factors (such as air pollution and genetics) playing a smaller role. COPD affects 329 million people worldwide, or nearly 5% of the world population, and is ranked as the third-leading cause of death, killing over three million people annually.

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