Philips Respironics Says ‘Simplicity’ Is the Word for EasyLife

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. — Gel still represents the flagship
design at Philips Respironics, but with the introduction of its new
EasyLife nasal mask, the company is hoping that improved ease of
use will satisfy patients, providers and clinicians alike. Placed
squarely in the middle price range, the EasyLife features the
manufacturer’s Auto Seal technology and a minimal number of
parts.

“We’ve been doing a lot of thinking and researching into what
the market needs in the way of new interface products,” said
Gretchen Jezerc, director of U.S. marketing, Sleep Disordered
Breathing, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions, in a press
presentation this week.

“We are seeing increasing demand for simplicity overall, masks
that are simple to fit and easy to adjust, and then easier to use
for the patient. We are also seeing that masks are expected to be
lighter as well as smaller, taking up a smaller space on the face.
People are expecting the mask should be easy to assemble with fewer
parts to lose and, likewise, fewer parts to keep in inventory,” she
continued.

Taking those points into development, Jezerc said, “the EasyLife
mask is so easy, it practically fits itself.”

Jezerc pointed out the mask’s lightweight design and
dual-cushion construction. Essentially, an inner cushion creates a
self-adjusting seal that adapts to patient movements, while an
outer cushion provides support. The forehead pad adjusts
automatically, so a number of traditional mask adjustments are
nearly eliminated except for intuitive headgear adjustments.

“There is not a requirement for a forehead adjustment, which
makes setup on this mask faster and easier,” said Jezerc. “It
minimizes the adjustments a clinician would have to make either in
the sleep lab for titration or with an RT at the home care
provider.”

The unit has four parts: the mask frame, headgear, outer support
cushion and inner seal cushion. The four available cushion sizes
— small, medium, medium-wide and large — each fit one
of two frames.

The company has also been thinking about product configuration
to support the needs of home care providers and sleep labs, Jezerc
said. The mask’s “FitPacks” come with two sizes of cushions
available. “The small-medium FitPack fits over half of the faces
out there, so it’s very easy for a clinician to grab it and go
… likewise for a respiratory therapist who is setting up a
patient on a new mask or on this as a replacement mask,” she
said.

“The medium-wide cushion size was actually initially designed
for Asian and African-American faces,” added Jezerc. “It is the
first mask that we have designed from the ground up to incorporate
the ability to fit some of these ethnic groups’ faces. Asian and
African-American noses tend to be wider and somewhat flatter, and
the bridge of the nose can be somewhat flatter.”

“DuoPacks” with multiple cushions of the same size are offered
to support supply replacement initiatives for patients.

“Many home care providers are starting to reinvigorate or start
for the first time their supply replenishment program,” said
Jezerc. She noted about 75 percent of the company’s customers have
a “reactive” resupply program, while a smaller number has a
“proactive program where they are reaching out on a regular basis
to patients for resupply.” That, she believes, represents a growth
area for HME providers “and a great therapy benefit for
patients.”