Tag: relief

New Technology Brings Relief to Patients Living With Severe Emphysema


Gastonia, NC – Imagine trying to breathe with lungs that are already filled with air,
completing daily tasks and routine activities while struggling to catch
your breath. That is what it feels like to live with severe emphysema,
a progressive lung disease resulting from damage to the tiny air sacs
in the lungs. For thousands of patients in the region living with this
disease, it can be debilitating, making it difficult to perform daily
and often routine activities. But two physicians, Dr. Jay Hendler and
Dr. Narayan Neupane, at CaroMont Pulmonary Medicine in Gastonia, have
a new, state-of-the-art procedure to help patients breathe easier without
surgical intervention.

“Patients with emphysema struggle to breathe because their lungs
are so damaged and expanded,” explains Dr. Hendler. “Simple
movement and exercise are difficult because the body cannot get enough
air in and out, and often those suffering from emphysema have a hard time
walking or even talking. There has always been medical treatment available,
such as inhalers and oxygen therapy, but those only work up to a certain
point in the progression of the disease. For really severe cases, treatment
options have been limited to either lung volume reduction or lung transplant,
both of which are major surgeries. With the new Zephyr valve procedure,
a very small implant can make a huge difference for a person’s quality
of life.”


The Zephyr valve is a small device, roughly the size of a corn kernel,
implanted in the bronchial tubes in the lungs. The small valve allows
air to only flow one way, shrinking the most diseased and inflated portions
of the lung and supporting optimal function in parts of the lung that
are healthy. This leads to overall better lung function, an increased
ability to withstand daily activities and less shortness of breath.




Shown here, the Zephyr Valve is roughly the size of a pencil eraser and
is implanted into the bronchial tubes to help shrink inflated portions
of the lungs.

“A bronchoscopy, or endoscopic technique, is used to implant the
Zephyr valves into the bronchial tubes,” said Dr. Neupane. “Post
procedure, patients usually spend three nights in the hospital. Recovery
time for a lung transplant or surgical lung volume reduction surgery is
much longer than that. This advanced treatment allows us to get patients
back to their lives faster.”

Depending on the degree of emphysema, the Zephyr valve implant is an option
for those patients for whom traditional medical therapies are no longer
controlling symptoms. Patients who believe they may be a candidate should
speak with their primary care provider or pulmonologist to discuss treatment options.


“As doctors, it is our goal to help preserve or improve a patient’s
quality of life,” said Dr. Neupane. “Yes, the technology is
amazing, but seeing a patient who couldn’t previously walk to the
mailbox regain lung function and mobility without major surgery is incredible.”




Dr. Neupane explains the Zephyr Valve treatment to his patient.


Dr. Jay Hendler and Dr. Narayan Neupane see patients at CaroMont Pulmonary
Medicine, located at 934 Cox Road in Gastonia. To schedule an appointment,
please call
(980) 834-5864.

Hospital offers remote relief with new technology

Mercy Health St. Mary’s is offering remote treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain or movement disorders.

Abbot NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic technology provides remote communications between patient and provider and enables settings adjustments while ensuring proper functionality of surgically implanted deep brain stimulation technology.

“Much like telemedicine added a new layer of convenience and improvement in being able to care for our patients, this just takes that telemedicine one step further in improving our patient care experience for those with movement disorders like Parkinson’s or tremors,” said Dr. Danette Taylor, medical director of the movement disorders program at Mercy Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center. “We’re excited about the possibility for those who felt driving from a long distance would not be an option, or if they are anxious about COVID-19. Patients are hearing about this and recognizing that this may be a realistic opportunity for them.”

The deep brain stimulation devices are implanted at the time of surgery and are adjusted as needed at a later appointment with the patient’s neurologist. After this initial set up, the doctor can send changes to the device’s app, which patients can access from their iOS smartphone or Apple iPod touch mobile device.

“The patients can see and talk to their doctors, and the physician can make meaningful programming changes while the patient is in their living room,” said Donnemarie Rockwell, senior territory manager for Abbott Deep Brain Stimulation. “Physicians can see the patients’ stiffness, rigidity, can watch them walk, etc. Some tests doctors may do in person, like having the patient take a drink of water after an adjustment, can still be assessed through the app. It’s as easy as doing an update on your phone.”

Paul Bailey, who suffers from tremors and is the first patient of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s to be treated with the technology, said the program is simple to use.

“I was really impressed with the whole thing. It was great. I tell my story to my friends and neighbors, and they’re fascinated that I can log onto an iPod, connect with my doctor, and then she can make adjustments right then and there.”

The system currently is offered by 500 clinicians nationwide, with 92 hospitals offering the service to approximately 1,300 people. Neurologists hope to expand the technology to even more patients, offering relief to those who live in rural communities, are concerned about driving in inclement weather or may want to avoid public spaces due to COVID precautions.

For patients like Bailey and his wife, Lynn, who enjoy leaving Grand Rapids to visit their cottage in the summer, the programming offers effective treatment without the commute to town.

“Dr. Taylor called me for my first adjustment when we were camping. She said I’m going to adjust the device right now,” Bailey said. “She asked if I could feel it tingling, and I said I could, and then I heard applause in the background. She said people from the Hauenstein neurology team and Abbott were there to see how it worked. She said, ‘You’re the first we’ve ever done this to.’ I didn’t realize the importance of it, but I can tell you it has been life-changing for me.”

More information about the Abbot NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s can be found at mercyhealth.com/dbs.