NEBULIZER tubing gets super hot -- bad?

[kittencaitlin]

Hi all
I recently bought a new compressor, and the tubing gets SO HOT pretty soon after i begin. I am doing a treatment of inhaled ceftaz that usually lasts about 20 mins. Originally I thought it was the tubing they sent so i switched to another kind they had, but that was the same. It makes me nervous - like the way you arent supposed to drink water out of a hot bottle thats been in the car, or heat up plastic in the microwave. Its getting so hot that I am concerned it could be breaking down and I'd be breathing that crap in.

Anyone else ever have this kind of issue? I am used the machine getting warm or even hot after a long period of use or a long session, and even the tubing a little hot near the end, but not like this.

I am using a Pari Vios Pro - its new and seems to be working fine. Also the machine itself does not get hot at all. Using pari LC neb cups and pari sprints

thanks!

Caitlin

 

[ethan508]

Massive heat in the tubing means that something is wrong and that you probably aren't getting the medicine delivery you need. A few thing to look at:
1) are your nebulizers or hoses blocked, crimped or plugged in a way that is making the pump work too hard,
2) is the pump in a tightly enclosed space or are the vent slots on the pump housing covered or blocked in anyway,
3) is it near, (1ft or less) a heat producing item like a computer, heat vent, etc,
4) does it have a serviceable intake air filter that has become clogged, degraded, or was inserted incorrectly,
5) was it manufactured poorly causing too much friction between the internal moving parts?

A few years back, I had a Pari Vios for 1 month before it stopped working, no heat issues but just couldn't push the air needed to run a neb. The specialty store I got it from let me trade it (with a minor amount of hassle but no cost) for a Phillips Respironics Inspiration Elite that has worked excellent for 3+ years now.

 

[stephen]

Caitlin,

My guess is that the tubing is getting hot because of the constant expansion and contraction caused by the pulsing air pressure generated by the compressor.

Since you’re using a new compressor, it may be generating a higher pressure than your old one. This could cause additional heating of the tubing.

Use of thinner walled or weaken tubing may also result in additional expansion and contraction, causing it to heat more. I would try replacing the tubing.

A clogged orifice in the nebulizer handset could also cause increased pressure and lead to more expansion/ contraction in the tubing

Since you said the medication is being delivered properly, it doesn’t sound like there is any real problem. Why not call Pari just to be sure.

 

[Gammaw]

Yes yes. Call Pari. They are the manufacturer for the nebulizer and the cups with tubing. I would be concerned about the compressor frankly. Pari Vios is only designed to be used intermittently and not as chronically as CFERS need. After several failed Pari Vios nebulizers and extended times for delivery of meds ......at least 20 minutes for simple xopenex and 45 or more for TOBI....I finally talked to a knowledgeable person at Pari who finally admitted the Vios was for people who only nebulize occasionally or for short periods each time. I don't believe Pari realized this for a long time. It was simply not designed to reach the pressures needed. I believe the Pro was their attempt to answer the problem, but it sounds like it's not cutting it.
I personally resolved the issue by allowing the CF team to document my issues with our insurance by letter from our pulmonologist requesting a nebulizer that could reach the needed pressures for long term chronic use. It was approved and I worked with our equipment provider to find a suitable machine. Our new nebulizer compressor cut xopenex times down to 10 minutes and TOBI to just over 20. No excess heat, no extended times, no problems. I just have to rinse out the filters weekly.
Call Pari and ask specifically how much pressure the Pro delivers and how much successive use it can handle. Check these numbers with your CF team based upon the various meds you nebukize. Different meds van require different pressures. Ask for compressor recommendations. Overheated tubing is just not acceptable.

 

[JustaCFmom]

What machine did you buy, in the end? This is like a cliffhanger!

We use a Pari Turbo Boy, but I think it still takes too long...

The tube gets warm towards the end, but not HOT. Something sounds wrong.

Good luck!

Yes yes. Call Pari. They are the manufacturer for the nebulizer and the cups with tubing. I would be concerned about the compressor frankly. Pari Vios is only designed to be used intermittently and not as chronically as CFERS need. After several failed Pari Vios nebulizers and extended times for delivery of meds ......at least 20 minutes for simple xopenex and 45 or more for TOBI....I finally talked to a knowledgeable person at Pari who finally admitted the Vios was for people who only nebulize occasionally or for short periods each time. I don't believe Pari realized this for a long time. It was simply not designed to reach the pressures needed. I believe the Pro was their attempt to answer the problem, but it sounds like it's not cutting it.
I personally resolved the issue by allowing the CF team to document my issues with our insurance by letter from our pulmonologist requesting a nebulizer that could reach the needed pressures for long term chronic use. It was approved and I worked with our equipment provider to find a suitable machine. Our new nebulizer compressor cut xopenex times down to 10 minutes and TOBI to just over 20. No excess heat, no extended times, no problems. I just have to rinse out the filters weekly.
Call Pari and ask specifically how much pressure the Pro delivers and how much successive use it can handle. Check these numbers with your CF team based upon the various meds you nebukize. Different meds van require different pressures. Ask for compressor recommendations. Overheated tubing is just not acceptable.

 

[Gammaw]

So sorry Justa! There are many recommended in various threads on this forum. But my provider gave us a Precision Medical Easy Air Compressor. It's designed for use 24 hours a day to run all kinds of equipment! Its a monster. I take an old Pari Vios on vacations if we aren't doing TOBI, because it's portable and only for a few days.

 

[Gammaw]

I will try to upload a picture.....

 

[Gammaw]

Here's the link to forum discussion on the various nebulizer compressors that I previously mentioned. There are two - the Mobilaire and the DeVilbiss that are commonly used for heavy use. With the different psi needed for different meds, it seems we need a compressor that allows you to change the settings. The compressor we have has a dial to change the psi.

 

[kittencaitlin]

thank you for the responses. i am going to see about getting a return and getting a heftier machine. since its brand new, and the medicine is getting delivered, and there are no noticable issues ....i am thinking it just isnt made for this kind of use like you say Gammaw. makes me mad, because who is really using something intermittently anyway?

well i will keep all posted on what I end up doing!! good thought to keep the pari for trips, etc.

the thing that freaks me out is the idea of inhaling hot plastic "fumes"....but idk if thats real or not.

thank you again! Caitlin

 

[Ratatosk]

We use a Vios for our travel neb and a heavy duty mobiliare at home. We haven't had issues with it getting overheated, so maybe it's a faulty machine. When DS was a baby and we were new to nebbing, we had a proneb ultra (Vios predecessor) and while the instruction manual indicated duoneb should only take about 10 minutes and tobi 20 -- duoneb took 25-30 and tobi took 45-50 minutes. We didn't KNOW that our brand new machine was faulty (low psi?) until a family member gave us an old devilbiss for use as a spare. Unfortunately the warranty was up on the proneb, so I picked up a brand new devilbiss. I liked that machine, but disliked their warranty policy. You have to take the machine to the local DME (durable medical equipment) provider and THEY ship it to the company. Or they're supposed. Twice it took 3 weeks to get a replacement machine.