How Lymphease can help you relieve Lymphoedema symptoms
Lymphease is a portable, easy to use medical device for extended care management of Secondary Lymphoedema. The Lymphease unit is battery operated and when used according to the instructions for 25-30 minutes per day can assist in the control of the symptoms of secondary Lymphoedema in the home or clinic. Lymphease has been designed to compliment therapists recommended treatment regimes and does not remove the need for regular therapist visits.
In the clinical trial patients were able to achieve an average of 10% reduction in excess lymphatic fluid using Lymphease alone. Just imagine what you can achieve when you use Lymphease and your support garments under the supervision of your therapist!
The Lymphease unit comes complete with a charging cradle , instructional DVD, 2 year warrantee and international power pack and a 90 day money back guarantee.
For information on Lymphease, please click on the following links:
Clinical overview
How and why does cycloid vibration work?
Current treatments
Market demographics
Patents
Clinical overview
For decades millions of people across the world have applied mechanical massage as a means of relieving the painful symptoms of lymphatic and circulatory disorder, such as those that manifest into Lymphoedema. There is, however, no medical or scientific evidence that validates the performance of this approach and, as a consequence, the medical community internationally dismisses mechanical massage as a credible resolution to such ailments, resulting in such delivery devices being kept in the ‘therapeutic’ treatment closet.
CVT Medical has clinical evidence that proves the effectiveness and performance of a mechanical vibration massage technology known as cycloid vibration therapy.
How and why does cycloid vibration work?
According to Professor Neil Piller in The Flinders University Report entitled "Research into the effects of Cyprossage¹ Cycloid action on Lymphoedema - Final Report:
"...vibration works by changing tissue pressures and this facilitates the entry of materials from the tissues into the small lymphatic capillaries. Given that there is an excess of these fluids and their contents in Lymphoedemas and other oedemas this is a very important action. Further the vibration, by the same variation in tissue pressure facilitates the movement of the up-taken lymph fluids along the major lymph collectors, eventually facilitating their return to the blood system. There may also be an action in facilitating direct uptake into the vascular system."
And
"By helping clear excess fluids and their often toxic contents from the tissues, cellular and tissue health improves and the patient’s swelling begins to resolve. Importantly, these reductions, while quantitatively small in the region of 5% of the total oedema, were qualitatively vital. The trial showed that patients were able to control their Lymphoedema in the comfort of their home, at a level which approximated some professional treatment regimens"
¹Cyprossage Pty Ltd is the owner of the Patents and Registered Designs representing the Intellectual Property associated with the Lympease® product.
Current treatments
The five major forms of treatment currently are:
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) via massage: either by a massage therapist, physiotherapist or by the patient or their carer.(MLD)
- Comprehensive Physical Therapy (CPT) which includes MLD, skin care, compression garments and exercise
- Low level laser therapy (LLLT) usually reserved for the fibrous stage when very little else will help
- Benzo-pyrones (orally or topically)
- Compression garments, tailor made and renewed three times a year
Major issues of concern for people with Lymphoedema are safety and efficacy of the treatment regime, as they are aware that nothing will cure it, only assist with the management. Cost is obviously a factor, but must be considered in relation to the cost over time of a treatment.
While there are several effective treatments for Lymphatic drainage problems of a non-systemic nature, most are limited by costs that vary from $1,000 to more than $2,000 per course of intensive treatment. A further issue is that these treatments tend to require frequent massage sessions (usually daily, sometimes twice daily). For many patients, even those with sufficient financial resources, daily treatments with a therapist are simply not feasible.
The use of pressure garments is a key part of lymphatic drainage treatments and is also important in maintaining gains achieved during intensive treatments. While bandages are cheap, pressure garments are expensive and often difficult to put on.
Lymphease has been designed for use in conjunction with compression garments and regular monitoring. The correct assessment of the stage, and appropriate treatment as defined by the health professional, will ensure that the clinical outcomes are consistent with those achieved in the clinical trials.
Market demographics
Lymphoedema is much more common than is normally realised. “In Australia Lymphoedema following mastectomy alone affects, or will affect, some 100,000 people. Of these, some 10,000 will suffer from severe effects. To this number must be added all the Lymphoedemas following other operations, accidents, chronic venous diseases and primary Lymphoedema. From this, there are about 350,000 people in Australia at the present that have some form of Lymphoedema". The life cost to treat and manage Lymphoedema is about $44,000 per individual (Neil Piller²).
According to recent World Health Organisation statistics, worldwide there are some 500 million people suffering from various forms of Lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema has three stages, the first stage characterised by fluid build up in the tissues over time progressing to fat (lipidoedema) if not treated and the last stage is fibrotic changes. If treatment is commenced early, with Lymphease used regularly it is possible to prevent the progression of the Lymphoedema.
According to the Australian Lymphoedema Association, Lymphoedema costs the Australian community over $500 million per annum through the public health system. The commercialisation of a device that is proven to relieve the symptoms of the ailment in a home environment will shift costs from the public system.
Results of the US 2004 study by Accenture entitled, “Home Healthcare Electronics: Consumers are Ready, Willing and Able,” indicate that the vast majority of the more than 4,000 consumer respondents appreciate the benefits that these devices can offer. Among the study’s key findings:
- 81% of respondents said they believe that home electronic medical devices would help them avoid trips to the emergency room or stays in the hospital;
- 71% said they believe that the devices would help them avoid visits to the doctor’s office;
- 81% said they would use the devices to make sure a family member or friend is well; and
- 82% said they believe that the devices would help them save money.
The study identified four major trends that promise to propel home healthcare electronics into the mainstream:
- The population is aging, with the proportion of Americans over 65 expected to rise to 20 percent by 2040. An aging population means an increase in chronic illness such as diabetes and arthritis and therefore an increase in the demand for healthcare services.
- Increasing demand for healthcare services means escalating costs and shortages of critical skills.
- Technological advances enable cost-effective health management at home.
- Better-informed and more-health-conscious consumers are eager to play active roles in managing their health.
² Associate Professor Neil B Piller & Mr. Keith Puckridge; Risk Reduction and Community Based Self Management for Post Mastectomy Lymphoedema: A Demonstration Project. Department of Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia 1997
Patents
The Lymphease product intellectual property is protected by global patents and design registration and the innovative design and technology differentiate this new device from competitors. These include:
- The patented self administered treatment protocol, underpinned by scientific validation of the efficacy of Cycloid Vibration as an enabling technology that resolves the symptoms of Lymphoedema by stimulating lymphatic drainage
- The deployment of optimal Cycloid Vibration amplitudes and frequencies specific to maximising the rate of lymphatic drainage
- The design and deployment of a novel pistol shaped hand held vibrating device incorporating a free wheeling roller arrangement for delivery of the vibration by self administration through the roller
- Supplied in a portable carry case which recharges the long life battery
- Easy to read display screen shows the progress of therapy to ensure accurate application of treatment
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