ICS – 1 System: Product Overview
The inCourage™ system is a specialized piece of durable medical equipment (DME) that provides high-frequency chest compression (HFCC) airway clearance therapy (ACT) for patients with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary disorders associated with impaired secretion clearance function. HFCC is a high-demand intervention recognized by government and private payers as a medically necessary standard of care therapy for appropriately selected patients. The inCourage™ system received FDA 510(k) clearance to market in 2005 as a secretion clearance device for use by patients with or at risk for pulmonary disease associated with diminished mucociliary clearance (MCC) function. Prescriptions for the inCourage™ system are not limited to any specific diagnoses.
The inCourage™ system offers technical and design advancements not available with other HFCC machines:
Triangle waveform: The shape of the waveform delivered by HFCC machines is shown to be important in maximizing mucus clearance.
- A comparison of triangle versus older sine waveform technology found a mean volume increase of 20% in mucus cleared – with a range up to 41% - with the inCourage™ System
- Triangle wave form may be more effective because peak airflow and maximum lung volumes occur at the same frequencies
- Triangle waveform therapy may be more comfortable because duration of peak pressure is shorter
Jacket: The inCourage™ system jacket has the fastest in-jacket pulse pressure rise with the shortest duration at maximum pressure in the therapeutic frequency range 6-15 Hz.
- Active venting compensates for chest wall expansion and contraction during the breathing cycle
- Patients are able to take deeper, more comfortable breaths
- Greater lung volumes permit larger HFCC-induced expiratory airflow volumes at the mouth - an important measure of treatment efficacy
- QuickFit jacket fitting feature permits precise sizing
- Precise fit ensures consistent therapy
- Widest range of standard jacket sizes; 23 sizes from 16 – 60 inches
- Custom jackets are available to accommodate all sizes and shapes
Standard and Custom Programming: The inCourage™ system is pre-programmed for use with an easy-to-understand menu. The machine is equipped with a touch button digital control panel and a choice of treatment sessions to accommodate individual needs.
- QuickStart: A pre-programmed 30-minute session that begins immediately and ramps up and down through a full range of therapeutic frequencies
- AutoPause: A pre-programmed 30-minute session that pauses at five minute intervals for users to perform huffing and coughing maneuvers. Sessions are resumed with a simple touch of a button
- MultiStep: A custom programming feature that permits users to enter and save up to 3 individualized sessions containing up to 12 steps