High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation Sputum HFCWO—Airway Clearance Vest System

The Neubotics High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation expectoration instrument consists of a pneumatic pulse generator, an inflatable hose, an inflatable vest, and an emergency stop switch. The pneumatic pulse generator inflates and deflates the vest reciprocally at high speed through two air guide hoses connected to the inflatable vest (or chest belt).

The high-frequency chest wall oscillation expectoration instrument simulates the chest wall oscillation caused by coughing, relaxes and liquefies the mucus and metabolites on the surface of the mucous membrane of the expiratory tract, making it smaller and looser, and falls off. When the sputum moves from the bronchi to the main trachea, it is excreted from the body by coughing or artificial suction, so as to achieve the therapeutic effect.

Key Features —

1. Pneumatic Pulse Generator — High-Speed Reciprocal Inflation/Deflation : The pneumatic pulse generator is the core of the Neubotics HFCWO system — producing the precisely controlled, high-frequency air pressure pulses that drive the vest's oscillatory compression of the chest wall. The generator connects to the inflatable vest through two air guide hoses — the dual-hose design ensures balanced pressure distribution across the full chest wall surface for uniform compression and consistent oscillatory airflow generation throughout the treatment session. The reciprocal inflation-deflation cycle frequency is adjustable — enabling the treating clinician to prescribe the optimal oscillation frequency for the patient's condition, lung physiology, and treatment response. Lower frequencies (5–10 Hz) produce deeper penetrating oscillations suitable for peripheral mucus mobilisation; higher frequencies (10–20 Hz) produce more superficial, rapid oscillations suitable for central airway secretion movement.
2. Inflatable Vest — Full Chest Wall Coverage : The inflatable vest wraps around the patient's full thoracic cage — providing bilateral, circumferential chest wall oscillation that generates airflow transients in both lungs simultaneously. The vest design ensures even pressure distribution across the anterior, lateral, and posterior chest wall — achieving the multi-directional oscillation that maximises mucus mobilisation from all lung segments, including the often-difficult lower lobes and posterior segments where gravity-dependent secretion pooling is most clinically significant.
3. Emergency Stop Switch — Patient Safety Control : The emergency stop switch enables immediate cessation of all vest activity. This safety control is clinically essential for a system delivering repetitive mechanical chest compression: if the patient experiences sudden pain, dyspnoea, bronchospasm, or discomfort during treatment, immediate cessation is required. The emergency stop design ensures this can occur in any patient position without requiring the patient or clinician to locate and operate the main unit controls.
4. Adjustable Frequency and Pressure Parameters : The Neubotics HFCWO system provides adjustable oscillation frequency and vest inflation pressure — enabling clinical prescription of treatment parameters matched to the patient's condition, tolerance, and treatment objectives:

• Frequency adjustment: Controls the speed of vest inflation/deflation cycles — lower frequencies for peripheral secretion mobilisation, higher frequencies for central airway clearance
• Pressure adjustment: Controls the amplitude of vest compression against the chest wall — lower pressures for fragile patients (osteoporosis, post-surgical, paediatric) and higher pressures for robust patients requiring deeper oscillation penetration

This parameter adjustability is essential for clinical utility across the diverse patient populations for which HFCWO is indicated — from paediatric cystic fibrosis patients to elderly COPD patients to ICU-ventilated adults — where a single fixed parameter set would be clinically inadequate.

• Multiple Vest Sizes : The Neubotics HFCWO system is available with multiple vest sizes to accommodate the full range of adult and paediatric patient body dimensions — ensuring appropriate chest wall fit and compression for patients from children through to large-frame adults.