High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) | Pneumonia | Cystic Fibrosis | COPD | Bronchiectasis

“I love it! It helps, it’s awesome and it works great. Thank you lots!”
— 16-year-old patient

Sound respiratory well-being is imperative to leading strong and healthy lives.

Airway Clearance

Three essential components

Natural, or normal, airway clearance includes three essential components.

Mucus secreted in the pulmonary airways acts as a filter, trapping impurities.

Pulmonary cilia beat in unison, acting much like a wave in carrying mucus and impurities to the larger airways.

A strong, effective cough will clear the mobilized secretions.

In most individuals, these three components work in harmony to keep our airways clear.

what is inadequate or impaired airway clearance?

Inadequate, or impaired, airway clearance occurs when the airway clearance components are ineffective in expectorating mucus from the lung’s walls. Impaired clearance can occur for a multitude of reasons and has been linked to a wide range of diseases and conditions. The results of inadequate airway clearance include lung infections, often leading to pneumonia and permanent lung scarring, decreased pulmonary function, increased health care costs related to antibiotic treatment and hospitalizations, loss of productivity, and in some cases, morbidity and mortality. Many individuals have diseases or conditions that interfere with natural clearance mechanisms and create a need for an aggressive and effective therapy to clear the airways. Problems may occur with diseases or conditions characterized by

Excessive production of thick mucus as in cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Mucociliary disorders characterized by the inability to mobilize secretions, such as primary cilliary dyskinesia and lung transplantation.

Neuromuscular deficits that impair one’s ability to cough, such as cerebral palsy, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy, ALS, or higher spinal cord injuries.

Clearing the lungs of retained pulmonary secretions on a regular basis is a critical factor in attaining long-term lung health. The SmartVest® Airway Clearance System has been proven to be an effective means of airway clearance therapy that uses High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) to promote airway clearance and improve bronchial drainage, thereby increasing the quality of life for those suffering from retained pulmonary secretions.