BACKGROUND: Airway clearance techniques are a key element in the daily treatment of people with bronchiectasis. There are several methods and devices to assist in effective airway clearance. We investigated LibAirty, a novel medical device, and compared it with the common practice performed today. METHODS: Twenty adults enrolled, and each one had three different treatments in a randomized order: a human respiratory physiotherapist, a High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillator, and LibAirty with BiPAP. The outcome parameters were mucus weight and a questionnaire. Further studies were performed to investigate LibAirty with hypertonic saline (HS) inhalation and using the device as a standalone. RESULTS: No adverse events were recorded. The sputum amount expectorated in all arms using LibAirty was 14.4 +/- 11.1 g with BIPAP, 16.4 +/- 7 g with HS, and 11.3 +/- 4.1 g for the standalone treatment. For HFCWO, 4.45 +/- 3.28 g was obtained, and for CPT, 15.9 +/- 11.1 g was obtained. The amount obtained by LibAirty (all arms) was significantly higher than HFCWO. CONCLUSIONS: All arms of LibAirty were superior to HFCWO and similar to the human physiotherapist. Further studies should be performed to investigate the long-term effects of LibAirty.

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