Philips launches VitaBreath device for COPD

Philips has announced the launch of VitaBreath, the first handheld intermittent pressure support device to relieve shortness of breath in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

The intermittent portable positive airway pressure device uses only ambient air to provide relief from activity-related shortness of breath in less than two minutes. It can help reduce breathlessness recovery time by up to 40 percent.

Because it is a non-pharmaceutical product, patients can use it as often as they need, with clinical testing showing that patients recovered more quickly using VitaBreath than with existing medications and therapies alone.

It will be available first to clinicians in the UK, followed by Australia and India later this year.

Neil Mesher, managing director at Philips Healthcare UK and Ireland, said: "VitaBreath is the only device of its kind today, and further reinforces our commitment to providing physicians with healthcare innovations that improve the quality of life of their patients."

This comes after the company launches its new RightFit service agreement portfolio for patient monitoring and ventilation earlier this month.