HydroBubble: New Innovative Product for Chest Conditions

The latest innovation to be launched through the NHS Supply Chain route, is an innovative respiratory device that offers a more sustainable, cost-effective and child-friendly solution to traditional methods of delivering Bubble PEP (a technique used to help clear phlegm from the lungs). Used as part of chest physiotherapy, for adults and children who have cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or who have lung secretions.

In collaboration with Mark Moran at Hydrate for Health, the ‘HydroBubble’ was designed by Yasmin Hussaini, Jane White and Naomi Parsons, part of the Cystic Fibrosis team across South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

The aim was to create a fun, dishwasher safe, bubble-blowing machine designed with children in mind, who are having chest physiotherapy. Current market offerings rely on a one litre, single-use bottle, that can’t be cleaned so requires instant disposal, is hard to hold and makes the experience a chore for both children and adults. 

The HydroBubble works by blowing bubbles into the colourful water bottle, producing vibrations in the lungs to help loosen and move phlegm into the larger airways, to be coughed up. The bottle also works for any adult with wet secretions, needing chest physiotherapy.

Key Benefits:

• Reduced risk of infection.
• Dishwasher safe.
• Re-usable after cleaning with a flexible brush, in support of the NHS’s Long Term Plan for Net Zero emissions.
• Easy to hold.
• Makes chest physiotherapy more engaging for young children, glitter or washing up liquid can be added for a more appealing experience.
• Also suitable for adults who suffer with extra lung secretions.

Jane White, nurse at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, has used this with her own daughter and says:

My daughter was recently unwell in hospital with a bad chest and difficulty in clearing her secretions. She was very unwell with this and requiring oxygen to treat it. She continued to deteriorate, and we were getting quite concerned. 

Then the lovely physiotherapist recommended we start using HydroBubble to help her clear her secretions. She instantly cheered up as she loved the look of the bottle and the idea of blowing bubbles with glitter in made her excited.