Portaneb (nebulization)

Question

Hello,
Could you precise the differences between the “travelling inhalation devices” Portaneb and Portaneb Lite compressors : technical data (size of the droplets, loudness), performance with colimycine and RhDnase, prices, can they be rented by a pharmacy, are both available with disposable nebulizers, where and to what price? Thanks for your response.

Answer

Hello,
Thanks for your question about nebulization. The devices Porta Neb and Porta Neb lite are inhalation devices which are produced by the company Phillips/Respironics and are distributed e.g. in Germany from the company B+P. Both are not travelling inhalation devices, in contrast, the Porta Neb is designed for the use in the hospital. In Germany, for example, the Porta Neb lite is not available anymore.
Both compressors are very closed considering performance and ergonomy, but the pressure from Porta Neb is 7 L/min instead of 6 L/min from Porta Neb lite. Porta Neb has a more important weight and is more bulky than Porta Neb lite (2.9 kgs vs 2.3 kgs). For colimycine and RhDNase nebulizations with Porta Neb are more adapted.
The mass median aerodynamic diameter is with the Porta Neb 3.06, that means, 50% of the droplets are smaller and 50% larger than 3.06 micrometers, with all together 81.1% of the aerosols smaller than 5 micrometers (information of the producing company). According to the information of the head of the marketing division for the segment inhalation of the company Respironics, renting it from a pharmacy is theoretically possible, as far as one finds a pharmacy, which has one in stock. It is also possible, to get it with reusable and also with disposable nebulizers. Based upon clinical studies (Shah et al, 1997; Westerman et al, 2004), the recommended disposable nebulizer is the Sidestream nebulizer. Concerning the prices of compressors and nebulizers, they are varying considerably from one country to one other and it’s impossible to give a precise response. In France, for example, in both cases, the lease is supported by health insurance for cystic fibrosis on prescription.
With our best regards,
Pr Jean-Christophe Dubus (France) and B. Dittmar (physiotherapist, Germany)

30.05.2011