What are Continuous Negative Extrathoracic Pressure (CNEP) and Negative Pressure Therapy (NPV)?
Every mammal on the planet respirates and all mammals use negative pressure to breathe. Nature created and perfected the process demonstrating that negative pressure is the best and most effective mechanism for breathing.
When we breathe in normally our diaphragm tightens and moves downwards and our rib cage moves outwards and upwards, increasing the space in the chest, which the lungs expand into. This creates a negative pressure in comparison to the air around us, as air is sucked into the lungs. The muscles between the ribs help expand the chest and we use them more as we breathe harder. When we breathe out the diaphragm and muscles just relax and the chest space becomes smaller, pushing air out.
The Exovent works by using a pump to create a negative pressure, which can be increased gradually as needed, in the chamber around our chest and abdomen. This negative pressure can be applied constantly, Continuous Negative Extrathoracic Pressure (CNEP) to gently suck on the chest wall and improve the effort of breathing. If this does not provide enough support for the patient's breathing, the pressure can be changed to an increased cyclical mode, Negative Pressure Ventilation (NPV) which helps more to take over the effort improving the strength and efficiency of breathing.
"the use of negative pressure devices could transform the patient journey "
- Dr Jim Roberts