Philips Respironics Announces Availability of New Patient-Centric Solution for the Management of Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency Diseases, BiPAP A40, on World COPD Day 2012

Düsseldorf, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

BiPAP A40 is a new multi-modality bi-level ventilator featuring
the first fully automatic ventilation mode, designed to support the
smooth transition of treatment from hospital to home

Philips Respironics today announces the availability of the new
bi-level ventilator BiPAP A40[1] for the management of chronic
respiratory insufficiency, a condition secondary to diseases such as
obesity hypoventilation syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and neuromuscular disease for adult and pediatric
patients (above 10 kg).

Launching on World COPD Day 2012 and being showcased this week at
Medica 2012, the world's largest medical trade fair, the BiPAP A40
improves the management of chronic respiratory diseases by offering a
range of unique benefits that facilitate the smoothest possible
transition in the patient care pathway - from initial titration to
hospital discharge, from home therapy to long-term follow-up.

"Philips is proud to be able to provide access to new and
innovative solutions that improve quality of care for respiratory
patients - both in hospital and at home," comments Mats Dahlquist,
general manager international, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions.

"One of the key benefits of the BiPAP A40 is an innovative
ventilation mode called AVAPS-AE, which helps to guide clinicians
during the initial titration of therapy, while maintaining comfort
and improving efficacy for the patient. This new ventilation mode
automatically maintains airway patency while delivering the correct
level of ventilation each user requires, whatever their body position
or sleep stage. AVAPS-AE mode also helps to guide clinicians during
the initial titration of therapy, while providing long term comfort
and assuring therapy compliance.

In addition to the introduction of AVAPS-AE, the BiPAP A40
features a unique battery module design which provides users with an
enhanced level of autonomy that increases support when traveling, or
in the case of a power shortage. Furthermore, the design incorporates
an intuitive user interface and data management tools that allow
clinicians to remotely access and review data about a user's therapy,
adjusting it as necessary. This can help to reduce therapy drop out
and the associated risk of hospital re-admission.

Although many chronic respiratory diseases are preventable and can
be effectively managed, they continue to be an important cause of
morbidity, mortality and the increased health care costs worldwide.
COPD is predicted to become the third leading cause of death
worldwide by 2030, with 65 million people currently living with the
disease across the world.[i] COPD is a particularly costly disease to
manage, with an annual healthcare bill of more than 10 billion Euros
across the EU alone.[ii]

Philips Respironics holds leading positions in the fast-growing
areas of respiratory care, non-invasive ventilation and sleep
management and is currently funding three large European trials
investigating the effects of home non-invasive ventilation in
patients with COPD and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).

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1. Not available for sale in the U.S.A.

To find out more about BiPAP A40, please visit
http://www.philips.com/BiPAP A40 [http://www.philips.com/BiPAP%20A40
]

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics is a diversified health and well-being
company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful
innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and
Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales
of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 121,000 employees with
sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a
leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy
efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well
as male shaving and grooming, home and portable entertainment and
oral healthcare. News from Philips is located
athttp://www.philips.com/newscenter.

i. World Health Organization. Burden of COPD.
http://www.who.int/respiratory/copd/burden/en/index.html. Accessed 26
October 2012

ii. Wouters EFM. Economic analysis of the confronting COPD survey:
an overview of results. Respir Med 2003; 97:S3-S14.

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