LungFit PH system seen as innovative technology by Vizient
System used in treating persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
Beyond Air has been given an innovative technology contract from Vizient for its LungFit PH system, which was approved in the U.S. last year to administer nitric oxide to treat persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
“We’re very happy and honored to be awarded an Innovative Technology contract from Vizient for our LungFit device. This validates the customer experience and feedback we have received to date,” Steve Lisi, chairman and CEO of Beyond Air, said in a company press release.
Vizient represents a diverse group of medical providers, from academic medical centers to community hospitals, with more than $130 billion in total yearly purchasing volume. Through its innovative technology program, the company works to identify products with the potential to improve healthcare substantially, awarding contracts for therapies considered truly innovative.
Nitric oxide helps to treat persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
The LungFit PH system acquired the contract after receiving a positive recommendation from hospital experts on one of Vizient’s customer-led councils.
“Our member council recommended the LungFit PH system for this contract based on the efficiencies it offers and its potential to make an incremental difference in health care,” said Kelly Flaharty, senior director of contract services at Vizient.
Nitric oxide, often abbreviated NO, is a powerful vasodilator — a substance that prompts blood vessels to relax and widen, thereby decreasing blood pressure. Nitric oxide long has been a standard part of treatment for PPHN, a condition marked by increased pressure in the pulmonary blood vessels of newborns.
Traditional setups to administer nitric oxide use large pressurized canisters to store the nitric oxide gas, canisters that are bulky and difficult to maneuver. The LungFit PH device works to generate nitric oxide gas out of the surrounding air, with the aim of making nitric oxide treatment more convenient and easier to administer. NO is passed through a filter to remove nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas, and the device is designed to deliver NO at standard dosages for PPHN infants.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the LungFit PH device for use in PPHN in 2022.
“Our revolutionary generator-based delivery system is a transformative technology with the potential to change how nitric oxide is used to the benefit of both patients and hospitals, and we are very excited by this opportunity to expand our reach through the robust Vizient customer network,” Lisi said.
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