Sports-Haler |

All Asthmatics are required to carry thier reliever medication with them at all times. It needs to be within reach at the onset of symptoms and easy to quickly use. 

The Sports-haler is a patented device which dramatically improves upon a standard reliever inhaler (Asthma puffer) as used by over 2.2 million Australians and 50+ million asthmatics worldwide. Through the use of a unique retractable mouthpiece and sealed body the Sports-haler offers a safer, more portable and hygienic solution to the standard device.

The Sports-haler’s sealed body and retractable twist-action mouthpiece significantly reduce the ingress of foreign matter. By removing the likelihood of foreign matter in the inhalation pathway, there is a significantly increased level of safety for the user. This reduces the chance of exacerbating or adding complication to an Asthma attack, and the associated health care costs. The improved level of hygiene also eliminates the practice of ‘clearing’ the device before each use, reducing drug wastage and improving overall efficiency to the user.

The retractable mouthpiece mechanism and slimline design makes the Sports-haler more compact and convenient to carry during every day and active pursuits, with increased portability being enhanced by the inclusion of an attachment point and various accessories.

An estimated 380 asthma related deaths occur annually. A key element in the prevention of these deaths promoted by Asthma Foundations Australia, is that a reliever puffer be carried at all times. Compliance to this recommendation is increased through the features and benefits of the Sports-haler.

Sports-haler is available in 6 different colours and has a unique form that is deliberately removed from the stigmatised medical device aesthetic. The Sports-haler becomes a choice rather than a requirement, offering a sense of ownership over embarrassment. This along with the increased portability further promotes compliance amongst children and adults alike, and affords the user and caregivers a greater sense of freedom and confidence.

To use the Sports-haler, either a Ventolin®* or Asmol®* canister is inserted into the device. When medication is needed, the mouthpiece is extended by rotation of the end cap and the device is used as per the standard puffer. The Sports-haler incorporates concave ends which assist in gripping during operation, and a smooth twist action for extension and retraction of the mouthpiece.

The Sports-haler is a class one medical device and as such has been independently lab tested to ensure the equivalence of drug delivery. The Sports-haler has undergone extensive performance and materials testing as part of the design development process. Additionally, as part of the manufacturing process, each and every device is tested under a detailed quality control plan.

Asthma inhalers are a true life saving innovation. Asthmatics always have their asthma inhalers ready as they are an integral part of the management process.

A metered dose asthma inhaler is commonly used. It is used by millions of patients of all ages around the world and gives them a much needed safety net. Other devices include a powder emitting type that is distributed as a mist when inhaled with a nebulizer.

How Asthma Inhalers Work

Asthma inhalers have been in use for over a century. Its main function has not changed greatly, but there have been many improvements over the years. The compound used in inhalers known as CFC has only recently been switched to halo carbons; this delivers a greater potency and rate of absorption.

Because the bronchial tubular muscles constrict during an asthma attack, it becomes difficult to breathe. Bronchodilators relax muscles in the airway, which allow the person to breathe with less difficulty. Athletes who suffer from asthma tend to use their asthma inhalers before and after games. Just recently, a star player was seen using an asthma inhaler during an Aussie Rules play-off game. Asthma does not need to control your quality of life, the fact that he could play at an elite level proves that. The Sports Haler helps with sports as it gives asthmatics a more portable option for there asthma inhaler.

A lot of research went into developing the Sports Haler we talked to a lot of asthmatic people in all age ranges. When we interviewed asthma inhaler users and they all complained about the color, losing the caps as well as getting foreign bodies in the mouthpiece. The Sport Haler comes in different colors to make it more personal for asthma patients. Included in the product range are Sports Haler holders and lanyards. The silicone cover is an important feature so that you can be active in water sports. Sports Haler has come up with an answer to all these asthmatics needs.
We also did some clinical testing of this product. Since it is a product only and not the medication for the asthma, these fit most standard dose asthma inhalers. Just pop one in and off you go. We have received approval from the Asthma Foundation in Australia and the Government has given us TGA compliance. We have so far had some great feedback from asthmatic people in particular mothers with asthmatic children who have tried the Sports Haler.

We believe that the Sports Haler will be really good for children with asthma. We were overwhelmed with the positive response that we got form the asthma educators when we displayed the Sports Haler at the Australian Asthma and Respiratory Education Association Conference last year in 2007 not long after it was developed. They have been spending a lot of time in schools and hospitals educating people in particular children with asthma and believe that the Sports Haler is a very positive lifestyle product. Although they are not a sales force, and they are not trying to sell anything, we believe that the Sports Haler can help them break down the barriers and the stigma to asthma in particular with children. The asthma educators thought it was nice, bright and colorful; hence it was something that they were happy to talk about when educating children with asthma.

The Sports Haler is designed to help asthmatics stay active.  Like a mobile phone, you can choose your color and change the clips and holder covers. There is a holder in development that should be out in the market within a few months that allows more of a sports function. So, there are pouches that you can wear on a belt or on an arm band, or on a bike. There is also a lanyard that you can clip onto the holder or sew on the sports unit itself if you wanted to wear it around your neck. There is even a waterproof silicon cover that would enable you to take your asthma inhaler into water sports environment and keep it sealed. This is intended for surfers and surf lifesavers. The new products are designed at keeping asthmatics active.

Listen to David Wharton, founder of the Sports Haler, explain the Sports Haler

We have observed that many asthmatic people – young or adult – are leading lifestyles different from the non-asthmatic ones because of their asthma and the portability of their asthma inhaler. For asthma there is a drug that pharmaceutical company offers which compliments the asthmatic lifestyles. This is generally a generic medication chemically identical because of its similar regulatory pathway.

The drug offered is an asthmatic medical solution to an asthma attack with a generic holder for the actual drug canister. But this does not address the person and his choices of lifestyle. Regardless of whether this person actively participates in sports or not, the drug serves its purpose. The asthmatic people should always carry the inhalers of their personalized choice with them.

We created the Sports Haler that is characterized by its portability and ability to be personalized by an asthmatic person. This asthma inhaler enhances safety from the retracting and sealing of the mouthpiece that stops any possible ingress of dust and dirt.

Kids are not comfortable to carry their puffers with them at all times. Most of the time, they would insert these asthma inhalers in their pockets. With the option to personalize the asthma inhaler and with its mouthpiece retractable with a range of holders, the asthma inhaler becomes more appealing. The innovation may give the parents an easy way to get compliance from the children in carrying their asthma inhaler around.

The new Sports Haler actually has its pouch that you can put on a belt or attach to your pants. Wearing the asthma inhaler around your neck is possible, too through a lanyard that can be clipped onto the holder.

The Sports Haler is its waterproof silicon cover. With this, you may even enjoy into water sports environment with less worry about your asthma because you’re ready to medicate it as soon as it comes.

It had been a practice by asthmatic individuals to leave their asthma inhaler on the beach while out on the surf. This is highly not advisable.

Asthmatics were really looking for a more portable solution for their asthma inhaler that was more attractive.

The Sports haler is an ideal asthma inhaler solution for a new generation of asthmatics.