New Device to Aid COPD Patients Wins Gold

LONDON, Ontario, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The Aerobika*  Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) Therapy System has earned Gold at the Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA). MDEA is an International Award recognizing groundbreaking products that save lives, improve patient healthcare, change the face of medical technology, and overcome design and engineering challenges. It is one of the medical technology industry's highest honors. 

The Aerobika* Oscillating PEP device is a drug-free, easy to use, hand-held device that helps people with COPD and other respiratory conditions breathe easier and live better. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is the fourth leading cause of death globally. It is the only chronic disease that continues to grow in prevalence. Clinical evaluations conducted at Robarts Research Institute (Western University, London) demonstrated use of the device could significantly improve mucus clearance, decrease cough frequency, reduce breathlessness, and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life.

"When we created the Aerobika* Oscillating PEP Therapy System, the goal of the product development team was to develop a product that addressed an unmet need in the 250+ million global patient population suffering with COPD. Each patient's COPD is unique and may need a variety of therapies. The innovation built into our Aerobika* OPEP device delivers excellent effectiveness while being very easy to use." states Mitchell Baran, Chairman and CEO, Trudell Medical Group. "The overall goal of the device is to ensure the patient can maintain their treatments to control their symptoms, breathe easier, enjoy a better quality of life and ultimately, stay out of the hospital."

The award was announced at the MDEA Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 in New York City. Entries were evaluated by an impartial panel of industry experts comprised of practicing doctors, nurses, and technicians alongside industrial designers, engineers, manufacturers, and human factors experts. The Aerobika* Oscillating PEP device was deemed to excel in 5 evaluation criteria: manufacturing and technological innovation; design and engineering advancements; patient benefits; business benefits; and overall improvement to healthcare industry.

The Aerobika* Oscillating PEP device is available at retail pharmacies across Canada, through Monaghan Medical Corporation in the United States, and in numerous other countries. For more information about this story as well as image and video downloads, please visit http://www.trudellmed.com/mdea-2014

About Trudell Medical International

Trudell Medical International (TMI) designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of medical devices, from the flagship AeroChamber* Brand of Valved Holding Chamber (VHC) for asthma patients and the latest state-of-the-art Aerobika* OPEP therapy. TMI best-in-class respiratory management products are sold in over 100 countries worldwide and their efficacy has been validated in over 500 peer-reviewed articles published in various medical journals, such as the New England Journal of Medicine, CHEST.

Video with caption: "A video illustrating what is happening in the lungs while using the Aerobika* Oscillating PEP device and why it is helpful". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7X3QP8HJKA

Mark Pickard, Vice President and General Manager, +1-519-455-7060, ext. 2200; mpickard@trudellmed.com, Website: http://www.trudellmed.com