Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions and we have answers. Find out more about Therabubble™ and how it can work for you or your patients
General
A. You can purchase Therabubble™ here on our website. We accept payment via Paypal or credit card.
If you’re unable to make payment via these methods, or would rather order by phone, please feel free to contact us directly on +61 0405 082 195. We’re happy to arrange payment for your order over the phone, electronic transfer, receive Australia Post money orders or personal cheques. Once payment has cleared into our account, your Therabubble™ will be sent to you.
A. We aim to keep the Therabubble™ price very competitive to provide an affordable option for respiratory therapy. Our bubble PEP devices boast special features and functionality that are not included in other products on the market. Please visit our Shop to see the current retail price.
A. No, all Therabubble™ units are created the same. We use different colours to cater to the different aesthetic tastes of our customers.
A. Yes, it’s very important to read the instructions before use. This reduces the risk of harm or misuse, e.g. swallowing or inhaling water during use.
A. We recommend you change the water after every use to keep your Therabubble™ clean. Please refer to the instructions manual for more information.
A. You should clean your Therabubble™ after each use and leave it to dry before the next use. Please refer to the instructions manual for more information.
A.You can clean your Therabubble™ by taking all the components apart and washing them with warm soapy water or placing them in the dishwasher. Allow the parts to dry thoroughly between use. Please refer to the instructions manual for more information.
A.Yes, you can clean your Therabubble™ by taking all the pieces apart and placing them into the dishwasher. Due to its medical-grade plastic components, Therabubble™ can be cleaned in industrial dishwashers, which is particularly useful for aged care facilities. After cleaning in the dishwasher, inspect the valve to ensure no food products have become lodged in the valve or other parts in the dishwashing process. Please refer to the instructions manual for more information.
A. We recommend you replace your Therabubble™ annually. However, depending on the frequency of use, you may need to replace your Therabubble™ earlier than recommended. You should replace your Therabubble™ if:
the water level markings are no longer clear
it’s visibly soiled
there are significant scratches, cracks or breaks on the device
the valve has been distorted or no longer works (e.g. by incorrect placement of the tubes)
it can no longer maintain the correct positive expiratory pressure.
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A. Therabubble™ is made from medical-grade plastics. While some of the parts look like rubber, these are actually soft plastics. Medical-grade plastic means that the parts are microbial resistant, impact resistant, heat resistant and chemical resistant.
Q. Yes, Therabubble™ is a proudly Australian Made and owned medical device. Our company, Physiotherapy Innovations, has been licensed by the Australian Made Campaign Limited to use the Australian Made logo on its product. Our Licensee ID number is 5976.
Q. The plastic used to manufacture the container is chosen for its suitability as a medical device. It is only possible to manufacture an opaque product with this plastic.
Q. The different parts make it easier to disassemble the Therabubble™ for thorough cleaning.
A. Yes, we actually recommend frequent Therabubble™ users purchase our Refresher Pack, which includes spare or replacement parts. Spare valves and tubes can be used while the other parts are drying. You can order directly from the website or by emailing care@therabubble.com or phoning +61 0405 082 195.
For the home user
A. While Therabubble™ is a conservative, low-risk intervention, it cannot be used by everyone. You should always speak to your GP or a qualified health professional to make sure Therabubble™ is the right treatment choice for you. A qualified health professional may include your GP, Respiratory Physician, Physiotherapist, Respiratory Nurse or Exercise Physiologist.
A. No, the Therabubble™ is for single patient use only. This means that only you should use your Therabubble™. It can be used by yourself multiple times but never passed on to anyone else.
A.A suitable qualified health professional can prescribe you a treatment program. A qualified health professional may include your GP, Respiratory Physician, Physiotherapist, Respiratory Nurse or Exercise Physiologist.
A. You should always seek advice from the health professional who prescribed your Therabubble™ and program before changing anything about your program.
A.You should always seek advice from the health professional who prescribed your Therabubble™ and program before changing anything about your program.
B. You should always seek advice from the health professional who prescribed your Therabubble™ and program before changing anything about your program.
A. You should stop using Therabubble™ and seek timely medical attention if you experience any of the following during use or after use:
Coughing up blood
Nausea
Pain or discomfort
Headaches
Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Racing heart
For health professionals
A. Therabubble™ is a form of oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) therapy that helps remove secretions and improve ventilation of the lungs. The PEP helps to splint open airways, help move secretions and reverse or prevent atelectasis, which may help speed up your patient’s recovery after surgery or hospital admission. The oscillations help to dislodge thick and sticky secretions in the airways. Therabubble™ is a single-patient use device and can be sent home with the patient or prescribed for the patient at home for maintenance of their condition.
A. Therabubble™ features:
reproducible pressure with fixed tubing and water level markings
a one-way valve
closeable outlet valve to reduce spillage
ergonomic handle
medical-grade plastics that are microbial resistant, heat resistant, impact resistant and chemical resistant
easy to disassemble and clean parts
industrial and home dishwasher-proof material, particularly useful for aged care facilities
parts that can be recycled.
A.Physiotherapy Innovations was the first to receive a patent for such a medical device. The main features that set it apart from a makeshift product are:
a one-way valve for increased safety
a set tubing level to create reproducible pressure
medical-grade plastics
anti-spill features
water level markings
ergonomic handle
purpose-built design for respectful patient treatment.
A. Yes, the valve does cause an increase in pressure. The range of pressures achieved at each water level is listed in the instructions leaflet. There is a second assembly option (threshold PEP option) available should you need to avoid this additional pressure. Please see the instructions leaflet for more information.
A. Pushing past the red line can distort the valve, meaning water can be drawn from the device. If this occurs, you should wait until the valve settles back into place before continuing use. You should also not strain to place the outer flexible tube into the valve as this can also distort the valve.
A.There are no absolute contraindications to PEP therapy but precautions should be taken in the following situations:
acute asthma or severe bronchospasm
large emphysematous bullae
lung abscess
severe fibrotic changes
dialysis
intracranial pressure >20mmHg
haemodynamic instability
recent facial, oral or skull surgery or trauma
acute sinusitis
epistaxis
oesophageal surgery
active haemoptysis
nausea
known or suspected tympanic membrane rupture or middle ear pathology
untreated pneumothorax
recent lung or gastric surgery
patients with limited upper limb function
cognitive impairment affecting the ability to follow instructions (e.g. risk of inhaling water)
inability to maintain adequate lip seal.
A.Yes, Therabubble™ is a single-patient use device and can be used by the same patient as many times as they need. Therabubble™ cannot be sterilised and given to another person.
A Therabubble™ aims to provide an affordable option for PEP therapy and the choice of manufacturing is in line with these values. When considering all resources, the cost of sterilising a PEP unit is more expensive than using an off-the-shelf Therabubble™ unit for your next patient..
A.Yes, there is a section in the instructions where you can record the prescribed treatment program for your patient. This prescription should always be kept with the patient’s Therabubble™ for easy reference and increased safety of use. Please provide the instruction booklet for your patient to keep.
A.The water level chosen should always be comfortable for your patient. It shouldn’t cause any adverse effects like dizziness or shortness of breath. The patient’s expiration should take slightly more effort than normal and last between 4–10 seconds. Finishing the repetition without completely emptying the lungs can help to avoid shortness of breath.
During respiratory exacerbations, your patient may need to modify the level of water used. Increasing the water level will make it harder for your patient to expire against, while reducing the water level will make it easier for your patient to expire. A reduced water level will increase the oscillations if this is required.
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