The new device for respiratory physiotherapy is indicated for cases of respiratory muscle weakness resulting from various diseases and can replace imported and disposable equipment
The new device for respiratory muscle therapy (TMR) developed by a multidisciplinary group of researchers from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) is reusable and combines two functions, inspiration and exhalation, in a single device. The device helps in performing exercises that improve dyspnea – which is the sensation of respiratory failure – in patients with weakness in the muscles used for breathing.
The device is indicated for the rehabilitation of patients with diseases that impact blood oxygenation, such as lung cancer, as well as other chronic diseases, such as asthma and pulmonary emphysema. Rehabilitation with respiratory muscle therapy demonstrates a beneficial effect for patients when returning to daily activities.
The new technology for TMR can also be used to treat patients with post-covid-19 syndrome, who maintain dyspnea even after recovering from coronavirus infection. Various degrees of respiratory dysfunction were observed in these patients and respiratory physiotherapy can accelerate recovery from the condition.
“These individuals, very often, are laid off or even leave the job market, placing a burden on public services. We believe that the device will have great importance in improving the quality of life of these people”, comments professor and researcher, Carmen Silvia Passos Lima, from the Department of Anesthesiology, Oncology and Radiology, at the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM) at Unicamp.
A patent application was filed by the Inova Unicamp Innovation Agency at the National Intellectual Property Institute (INPI), but, to reach the market, the technology still needs to be licensed by companies that can continue developing the product in partnership with the inventors. .
Respiratory muscle therapy at home
The compact device has a syringe-like shape, with a chamber and a spring-loaded valve. The simple operation and construction model replaces equipment produced in other countries, eliminating import costs. It can also be taken by patients, with guidance from a healthcare professional, to carry out and complement rehabilitation exercises at home, as it is easy to assemble and maintain.
“The first demand was that the equipment be reusable. This necessarily involves being able to open, disassemble and clean it with water and detergent, as you do at home with a bottle. Then we thought about reducing costs, combining two concepts, so that it would be more accessible to low-income people”, says professor, Éder Sócrates Najar Lopes, from the Department of Manufacturing and Materials, at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FEM).
According to the inventors, the model developed at the University in the prototype phase can be easily assembled and disassembled by adults, the elderly and even children, as it has fittings that prevent errors. The great advantage is changing the position of the nozzle, which, depending on the side, makes the device perform both the function of inspiratory muscle therapy (IMT) and expiratory muscle therapy (TME).
The geometry also allows for precise adjustment of the training load and during exercise, without the need for direct supervision from a healthcare professional. Other similar technologies, already available on the market or in the development phase, do not offer such benefits, being disposable, limited in terms of ease of cleaning the components or offering only one of the types of therapy separately.
How the respiratory therapy device works
The TMR device assists in treatment non-invasively, exerting resistance to the passage of exhaled and inspired air. The patient needs to exert strength to overcome the pre-established load that imposes a physical barrier, this promotes muscle strengthening and improved breathing as if it were “physical training” for the lungs.
“There are several works and publications that show the evidence and changes that occur in patients who undergo physiotherapy to strengthen their respiratory muscles. The techniques currently used are the result of many studies that began several years ago, which is why we believe that this low-cost and comprehensive device could benefit many people, even those with heart disease”, says physiotherapist, Dr. Luciana Campanatti Palhares, who works at Unicamp's HC.
The next steps in the development of the reusable TMR device are clinical trials. The researchers intend to follow, for twelve weeks, groups of 30 patients from the Hospital de Clínicas da Unicamp who have occupational diseases, chronic obstructive diseases and smokers. The study still depends on approval and funding. For technology to be transformed into a product for the benefit of society, public or private companies must negotiate licensing. This process is carried out with the support of the Unicamp Innovation Agency, which receives partnership requests in the area Connection with Companies.
In addition to the researchers mentioned in the report, Arthur De Arruda Pelligrino, at the time an undergraduate student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FEM), and André Luiz Jardini Munhoz, a researcher at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering (FEQ) at Unicamp, participated in the invention.
Listen to this report on Rádio Unicamp in podcast.
Learn more about TMR technology
- For more information about the profile of this and other technologies at the State University of Campinas visit the Unicamp Patent and Software Portfolio.
- The full Innovation Agency Annual Report is available to download and consultation.
- Also download the Inventores Prize Magazine and read more reports on patents granted and technologies licensed from Unicamp.
- Companies interested in licensing can contact Inova Unicamp in the area Connection with Companies.
original article published on the Innovation Agency website.
