Updated airway clearance vest for CF launched by Baxter
Vest Advanced Pulmonary Experience will be available to order this fall
A next-generation vest to help clear airway mucus in adults and children with cystic fibrosis (CF) or other lung disorders has been launched by its maker, Baxter International.
Called The Vest Advanced Pulmonary Experience (APX), the garment was redesigned in consultation with clinicians and patients, and incorporates the company’s airflow technology along with new user-friendly, patient-centered features. Its launch was announced at the recent North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Boston. The vest will be available to order this fall and can be used at home.
“Many patients who are prescribed this therapy use it multiple times a day, every day,” Jim O’Connell, president of Front Line Care at Baxter, said in a company press release. “With that in mind, it was very important for us to design a solution that fits seamlessly into a patient’s daily routine. The Vest APX System offers next-level comfort, ease of use and portability, all while maintaining the performance patients and caregivers have depended on for years.”
In CF, thick mucus accumulates in the lungs and other organs, causing shortness of breath and a persistent cough. Mucus accumulation is a fertile ground for bacteria to reproduce, increasing the risk of infections and inflammation.
A better fit for CF
The vest, originally developed by Hillrom, which is now part of Baxter, uses high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) technology that’s been shown to clear mucus in nearly 200,000 patients over more than three decades, according to Baxter. Patients as young as 6 months can use the garment.
The vest continues to use the patented airflow technology from the previous model, but has been reworked into a streamlined, lightweight garment that fits the chest while leaving the abdomen free, making it more comfortable to wear. Additional improvements can be found in the control unit, which is smaller and lighter than the previous version’s.
The vest is available in a range of colors and designs, including playful options for children. A user-friendly touch screen lets patients easily start the therapy.
Patients and care teams using the new vest have access to the CARE Connex Program, which lets patients and providers contact the company’s clinical experts. The Vest APX System was cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year.
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