Jan. 15, 2007 - VIASYS Respiratory Care Inc., a subsidiary of VIASYS Healthcare Inc. received approval to market its PulmoLife spirometry screener by the FDA. The PulmoLife screener is a new device designed for quick and easy assessment of lung disease associated with airflow obstruction known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
According to the Center for Disease Control, COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is projected to be the third leading cause of death by the year 2020. There are an estimated 16 million people in the United States diagnosed with COPD and an additional 14 million undiagnosed. Smokers are at greater risk of developing COPD, but breathing in other kinds of lung irritants, like pollution, dust, or chemicals, over a long period of time may also cause or contribute to COPD.
The PulmoLife device uses spirometry to measure lung function. According to the National Institutes of Health, "Spirometry is the most sensitive and commonly used test of lung functions. It can detect COPD long before you have significant symptoms." Early detection of decreased lung function by the PulmoLife device may help a smoker realize the damage smoking can cause and encourage them to seek smoking cessation advice as well as appropriate medical treatment.