POWERbreathe K5 IMT with Advanced Breathe-Link Software

The POWERbreathe K5 is the most advanced Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) device of the K-Series range. With the ability to connect to the advanced Breathe-Link® Live Feedback software, you have a sophisticated testing, training and monitoring breathing training system.

The K-Series uses a patented and researched based ‘intelligent tapering system’ that matches the strength profile of your breathing muscles, providing you with the most effective way of training your breathing muscles, compared to conventional methods.

The K-Series devices feature an electronically controlled ‘tapered flow resistance’ that uses a computer controlled rotary valve to create the resistance to your in-breath. As a result of this, resistance is not fixed at the same level throughout your breath (unlike a pressure threshold device), because the device automatically reduces the resistance as you progress through your breath, matching the load to your declining muscle strength.

The tapered flow enables you to perform a longer inspiration and use a wider range of breathing muscles so you achieve higher flow and higher tidal volumes for better results. It achieves this by automatically adapting to increases in your inspiratory muscle strength at the beginning of each training session. What this means is that the training load is highest at the start of your inhalation and then gradually decreases as your lungs fill with air.

During the first two breaths of each training session there is no resistance and you should inhale as quickly and deeply as possible. It’s during these breaths that the K-Series device measures your maximum breathing capability. Training load is then gradually introduced during breaths three and four until full loading is achieved for breath five and onwards. During these breaths you will find it increasingly harder to inhale.

Training measurement results are displayed on the device’s LCD screen, allowing you to monitor training progress and optimise your training technique.

Features

• Ergonomic Design:  User friendly design that improves comfort of use
• Auto IMT:  Automatically adapts to personal training requirements
• Single Breath Test:   Measures inspiratory muscle strength, peak inspiratory flow rate and inhaled volume.
• Warm-up Cool-down:  Automatically sets the optimal resistance for inspiratory muscle warm-up prior to exercise and cool-down after exercise.
• Breathe-Link Software:  Real-time breathing measurement and analysis software included.  PC/MAC compatible.  Stores results for analysis.
• Training History:  Displays a graphical history of your last 36 training sessions.
• Breathe-Link Pro-View:  Provides simultaneous plotting and analysis of all inspiratory muscle training data.
• Breathe-Link Customization:  Allows you to create and upload your own personalized breathing training sessions.

POWERbreathe K-Series Comparison Chart

Measurement Validity

The following study concludes that the K-Series device “provides automatically processed and valid estimates of physical units of energy during loaded breathing tasks…”
Measurement validity of an electronic inspiratory loading device during a loaded breathing task in patients with COPD

The following study suggests that S-Index® might be more appropriate for measuring inspiratory muscle performance than the currently most used test, PImax…

Assessment of Maximum Dynamic Inspiratory Pressure

The following study finds that “It is feasible and reliable to evaluate the maximum repetition of inspiratory muscles in healthy individuals…”

Is It Possible To Test The Maximum Repetition For The Inspiratory Muscle? Feasibility, Reliability and a Comparison with the Maximum Dynamic Inspiratory Pressure

What’s In the Box

• POWERbreathe IMT device
• Cradle to house the device while charging
• Mouthpiece TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers)
• Nose clip
• Storage pouch
• 4 x Cleansing Tablets
• French / English user manual
• Breathe-Link® Software  – will need to be downloaded

Precautions & Contraindications

POWERbreathe IMT breathing training is drug-free, suitable for almost anyone and should cause no harmful side effects when used properly. Please read the following precautions and contraindications to ensure that POWERbreathe IMT is used safely and appropriately. You must always consult your healthcare professional before embarking on any new form of exercise and this includes POWERbreathe breathing training.

Precautions:

• The patient must not make changes to any prescribed medication or prescribed treatment program without consulting their doctor.
• Do not use the POWERbreathe whilst taking part in other activities where you may become distracted, such as walking, running and driving.
• POWERbreathe should not be used if the patient is suffering from a ruptured eardrum or any other condition of the eardrum.
• It is not recommended to use POWERbreathe if you have suffered from or are likely to suffer from Costochondritis.
• To prevent the potential transmission of infections, we recommend that POWERbreathe is not shared with other users, including family members.
• This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
• POWERbreathe is designed for exercising the inspiratory muscles only. No other use is intended or implied.
• Anyone who is under the age of 16 should only use POWERbreathe with supervision from an adult. POWERbreathe contains small parts and is not suitable for children under 7 years.
• Whilst training with POWERbreathe the patient should feel resistance when inhaling but it should not be painful. If the patient feels pain whilst using POWERbreathe they should stop immediately and consult their doctor.
• Some users may experience slight ear discomfort when training with POWERbreathe, especially if they are recovering from a cold. This is caused by inadequate equalization of pressure between the mouth and ears. If symptoms persist, patients should consult their doctor.
• If a patient is suffering from a cold, sinusitis or respiratory tract infection, we advise that they do not use POWERbreathe until symptoms have disappeared.
• If you start to feel dizzy using POWERbreathe IMT, please pause until recovered and take longer gaps between breaths.

Healthcare Professional should take into consideration the following conditions before patients use POWERbreathe:

1. A history of spontaneous pneumothorax (a collapsed lung that was not due to traumatic injury e.g. broken rib), as it may lead to a recurrence of the condition.
2. Pulmonary hypertension or large bullae on chest x-ray.
3. Marked osteoporosis with history of rib fractures.
4. Desaturation during or following IMT (<94%).

Contraindications

Inspiratory muscle training, such as training with POWERbreathe, is not recommended for patients with certain conditions, including the following:

• Patients who have undergone recent abdominal surgery and those with an abdominal hernia.
• Asthma patients who have a very low symptom perception and suffer from frequent, severe exacerbations or with an abnormally low perception of dyspnoea
• If a patient is suffering from a ruptured eardrum or any other condition of the ear
• Patients with marked elevated left ventricular end-diastolic volume and pressure
• Patients with worsening heart failure signs and symptoms after RMT / IMT
• If you are suffering from a cold, sinusitis or respiratory tract infection, we advise that you do not use your POWERbreathe IMT device

Documents

PowerBreathe K5 IMT Software Screenshots

Videos