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Please note: While some information will still be current in a year, other information may already be out of date in three months time. If you are in any doubt, please feel free to ask.
Results of I-neb, knowledge ?
- Question
- Is there more knowledge on the i-neb?
- Answer
- The I-neb is a new generation nebuliser. The particle size in the nebulisation is so small that the particles penetrate deep into the lungs. This is thus of potential value for patients with cystic fibrosis.
The I-neb produces an aerosol by a vibrating ultrasonic mesh. The apparatus is small which is practical for a patient, works on batteries, is noiseless and the nebulisation time is shorter than with current jet nebulisers. This technique of mesh produced aerosol is also available with other nebilisors such as E-flow and Aeroneb go.
What distinguishes I-neb from other devices is the ‘adaptive aerosol delivery technique’, adaptable to the patient and the drug. With use of a small chip, the apparatus is programmed so that the medicine is only delivered during inspiration. During the first breathing cycles the airflow is measured and the ideal phase for delivery of medicine is determined. The mouth piece vibrates so that the patient knows when he must inhale actively. During the expiratory phase no medicine is being aerosolized so that there is less loss of medicine. An alarm tells you when the nebulisation is finished. Via a display you can check if the nebulisation was done correctly. The little chip is not only adaptable to the patient but also to the medicine the patient inhales: a different nebulisation pattern may be needed with a different medicine.
The mesh is an important part of the apparatus and should be cleaned meticulously and regularly. The mesh is rather fragile so you should handle the apparatus with care.
I-neb, although of interest, has not been tested sufficiently with medicines used by patients with cystic fibrosis such as hypertonic saline and aerosol antibiotics and mucolytics. In UK I-neb is being used in patients with CF, in Holland and Belgium this is not yet the case, because more study results are being awaited.
A Cochrane Library review of these types of nebulisers used in patients with cystic fibrosis is awaited.
K. De Boeck, J. Dankert-Roelse, Myriam Vreys - 26.01.2009
