Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (HRC), a global leader in healthcare technologies, has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the MetaNeb 4.0 System, the company's latest advancement in airway clearance technology for enhanced patient care in the hospital. Delivering therapy through airway oscillation (Continuous High Frequency Oscillation) and continuous pressure (Continuous Positive Expiratory Pressure), the MetaNeb 4.0 System helps enhance normal mucus clearance from the lungs, delivers lung expansion therapy, and assists in the treatment and prevention of pulmonary atelectasis, a complete or partial collapse of the lung.

The system also has the ability to provide supplemental oxygen when used with compressed oxygen. The next-generation MetaNeb 4.0 System improves therapy performance, enhances ease of use when used with mechanical ventilation, and enhances therapy delivery.

"The design enhancements to the MetaNeb System represent another great example of Hill-Rom's dedication to improving outcomes for patients and their caregivers," said Greg Pritchard, senior vice president, Surgical and Respiratory Care, for Hill-Rom. "Together with The Vest Airway Clearance System, our Respiratory Care portfolio now offers complementary innovative solutions for patients with respiratory disorders."

Patients who may benefit from the MetaNeb 4.0 System, which will begin shipping in June, include those with one or more of the following disease states: bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis neuromuscular disorders, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), patients needing post-operative airway management, patients needing emergency room airway management.

Hill-Rom is a leading worldwide manufacturer and provider of medical technologies and related services for the health care industry, including patient support systems, safe mobility and handling solutions, non-invasive therapeutic products for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions, medical equipment rentals, surgical products, and information technology solutions.