Philips Respironics Announces Availability of New Patient-Centric Solution for the Management of Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency Diseases, BiPAP A40, on World COPD Day 2012

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, November 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

BiPAP A40 is a new multi-modality bi-level ventilator featuring the first fully automatic ventilation mode, designed to support the smooth transition of treatment from hospital to home

Philips Respironics today announces the availability of the new bi-level ventilator BiPAP A40^[1] for the management of chronic respiratory insufficiency, a condition secondary to diseases such as obesity hypoventilation syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and neuromuscular disease for adult and pediatric patients (above 10 kg).

Launching on World COPD Day 2012 and being showcased this week at Medica 2012, the world's largest medical trade fair, the BiPAP A40 improves the management of chronic respiratory diseases by offering a range of unique benefits that facilitate the smoothest possible transition in the patient care pathway - from initial titration to hospital discharge, from home therapy to long-term follow-up.  

"Philips is proud to be able to provide access to new and innovative solutions that improve quality of care for respiratory patients - both in hospital and at home," comments Mats Dahlquist, general manager international, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions.

"One of the key benefits of the BiPAP A40 is an innovative ventilation mode called AVAPS-AE, which helps to guide clinicians during the initial titration of therapy, while maintaining comfort and improving efficacy for the patient. This new ventilation mode automatically maintains airway patency while delivering the correct level of ventilation each user requires, whatever their body position or sleep stage. AVAPS-AE mode also helps to guide clinicians during the initial titration of therapy, while providing long term comfort and assuring therapy compliance.

In addition to the introduction of AVAPS-AE, the BiPAP A40 features a unique battery module design which provides users with an enhanced level of autonomy that increases support when traveling, or in the case of a power shortage. Furthermore, the design incorporates an intuitive user interface and data management tools that allow clinicians to remotely access and review data about a user's therapy, adjusting it as necessary. This can help to reduce therapy drop out and the associated risk of hospital re-admission.

Although many chronic respiratory diseases are preventable and can be effectively managed, they continue to be an important cause of morbidity, mortality and the increased health care costs worldwide. COPD is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030, with 65 million people currently living with the disease across the world.^[i] COPD is a particularly costly disease to manage, with an annual healthcare bill of more than 10 billion Euros across the EU alone.^[ii]

Philips Respironics holds leading positions in the fast-growing areas of respiratory care, non-invasive ventilation and sleep management and is currently funding three large European trials investigating the effects of home non-invasive ventilation in patients with COPD and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).  

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1. Not available for sale in the U.S.A.

To find out more about BiPAP A40, please visit  http://www.philips.com/BiPAP A40

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 121,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, home and portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located athttp://www.philips.com/newscenter.

i. World Health Organization. Burden of COPD. http://www.who.int/respiratory/copd/burden/en/index.html. Accessed 26 October 2012

ii. Wouters EFM. Economic analysis of the confronting COPD survey: an overview of results. Respir Med 2003; 97:S3-S14.