Device gives hope to asthma patients

A groundbreaking asthma treatment device which is being manufactured in Ireland has been hailed as “the most important development in respiratory medicine since the transplant”.

Global medical devices giant Boston Scientific confirmed yesterday that employees at its Cork plant are working on scaling up production of the Alair bronchial thermoplasty system to meet what they expect will be massive global demand.

The first and only non-drug treatment for severe asthma in patients over 18, it is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

However, it will probably not be in widespread use for at least a year.

Boston Scientific Cork’s managing director Tom Mangan briefed Sean Sherlock, the innovation minister, on the device yesterday. It has received regulatory approval in the US and Europe.

“More and more, the course of medical technology is driving to a dual solution of bringing better patient outcomes while at the same time attacking the surging cost burdens on the health care systems of countries,” said Mr Mangan.

“This innovative breakthrough system is an example of this solutions-based medicine.

“Patients receive a marked increase in the quality of life in what they are able to do post-treatment while at the same time, the continuing costs of hospital admissions and emergency treatments are significantly lowered.”

Leading consultant respiratory and lung physician Professor Tom Egan, who is based at the Mater in Dublin, has used the device to successfully treat three patients with severe asthma.

He said the bronchial thermoplasty technology can be adapted to other areas of medicine and has huge potential.

“This is the most important development in respiratory medicine since the transplant,” he said.

The Alair system is designed to reduce the mass of these muscles in patients over 18 with severe asthma.

The device is inserted into a patient’s lungs and airways via a bronchoscope through the nose or mouth.

A bundle at its tip is then expanded to deliver thermal energy directly to the airway wall. The heating of the tissue reduces the muscle mass.

* To see an animation of the procedure, go to btforasthma.com