What is High-Flow Nasal Therapy (HFNT)?
High-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) is a form of respiratory support that delivers warm, humidified air (often mixed with oxygen) at a high flow rate through soft nasal cannula prongs. Unlike standard home oxygen, which is usually given at low flow rates and without added moisture, HFNT provides a comfortable stream of heated humid air at flows high enough to meet a patient’s breathing demand. This means you get air at the rate you breathe in, preventing the dilution of oxygen and keeping your airways happy and moist. MyAirvo 2 is a user-friendly HFNT device designed for use at home or in long-term care settings. It contains its own flow generator and heated humidifier, so it doesn’t need heavy tanks or noisy compressors – just add water and plug it in.
How does HFNT differ from regular oxygen or CPAP?
For one, HFNT provides humidification. Medical oxygen without humidity can dry out your nasal passages and lungs, causing discomfort and making any mucus in your airways thick and hard to cough out rch.org.au. HFNT fixes this by warming and moistening the air before it reaches you, which protects your airway linings. Additionally, the high flow can generate a mild positive pressure and flush out exhaled carbon dioxide from your upper airway. This helps you breathe more efficiently by ensuring each new breath has more fresh oxygen and less “stale” air archbronconeumol.org. HFNT is also gentler and easier to tolerate – there’s no tight-fitting mask, just soft nasal prongs. In fact, studies have found that patients often find HFNT much more comfortable and easier to adapt to than traditional non-invasive ventilator masks mdpi.com. Overall, HFNT with a device like MyAirvo 2 can make breathing feel more natural and less forced for people with chronic lung conditions.
The MyAirvo 2 Device: Features & Advantages
MyAirvo 2 by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is a compact, easy-to-use high-flow nasal therapy device designed for home use. It delivers warmed, humidified air (or an air–oxygen mix) through soft nasal prongs, helping those with chronic breathing difficulties breathe more comfortably.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Adjustable Flow Rates | 2–60 L/min for adults; Junior Mode for pediatric use. |
| Built-in Heated Humidifier | Prevents dryness, thins mucus; choose manual or auto-fill water chamber. |
| Heated Tube & Soft Cannula | Prevents condensation; soft nasal prongs for all-day comfort. |
| Oxygen-Compatible | Blend oxygen into airflow (up to 15 L/min). |
| User-Friendly Controls | Simple interface, auto-dim night mode, clear alerts. |
| Portable Design | Weighs under 5 lbs, no compressor needed—easy to move room to room. |
Why SleepEZ Makes It Easier
At SleepEZ, we go the extra mile to ensure patients and caregivers have a smooth experience from setup to ongoing use. Here's what sets us apart:
| SleepEZ Service | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Insurance Navigation | We handle paperwork and work with your insurer to reduce costs. |
| Setup Support | In-person or virtual assistance to get your therapy started confidently. |
| Ongoing Therapy Support | Continued guidance to make sure therapy stays on track and effective. |
| Reminders & Maintenance | Stay up to date on cleaning, filter replacements, and best practices. |
💬 You focus on breathing better—we’ll take care of the rest.
Easier Breathing and Mucus Clearance with Humidified High Flow
Another big advantage of high-flow therapy is how it helps with mucus clearance. COPD and other chronic respiratory diseases (like chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis) often come with a lot of thick mucus that’s hard to cough out. Children and adults with these conditions can have real trouble clearing their airways. HFNT can make a difference here by providing warm humidity and a gentle flow that keeps secretions thin and movable. Think of how steam in a shower can loosen up congestion – HFNT does this in a more targeted way, around the clock. The warmth and moisture improve the movement of the tiny hairs (cilia) in your airways, which are responsible for sweeping out mucusfrontiersin.org. In fact, doctors note that humidified high-flow can mobilize phlegm and help prevent infections by clearing mucus build-up that bacteria love to grow infrontiersin.org. For example, early reports in children with bronchiectasis (a condition causing excess mucus) showed that long-term HFNT use at home reduced how often they got lung infectionsfrontiersin.org.
Even if you don’t have a specific mucus condition, anyone on supplemental oxygen or with chronic lung issues can benefit from humidified airflow. Normally, our nose adds moisture to the air we breathe. But when we’re on oxygen via a standard cannula, or during dry winter months, our airways can dry out. Dry airways not only feel uncomfortable (dry nose, sore throat) but also make mucus thicker, which can block smaller airwaysrch.org.au. HFNT ensures this doesn’t happen by acting like an “artificial nose,” fully conditioning the air before it reaches your lungs. Patients often notice they cough less and when they do cough, it’s more productive (i.e. they can actually clear the gunk out). Over time, keeping your lungs clearer can mean fewer bronchitis infections and a generally better ability to take deep breaths. Families of pediatric patients also find that kids on HFNT sleep and feed better because they aren’t fighting dry, clogged airways. All in all, the high humidity in MyAirvo 2 is not just about comfort – it’s about keeping your lungs cleaner and healthier.
Benefits of HFNT for COPD Patients
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung condition that makes it hard to breathe and often causes exacerbations (flare-ups of severe symptoms). Flare-ups of COPD frequently lead to ER visits or hospital stays and can worsen lung function over time. HFNT is emerging as a promising therapy to help manage COPD, especially for patients at home. By delivering high flows of humidified air, HFNT can help reduce the work it takes to breathe and improve oxygen levels. Importantly, recent evidence shows HFNT may actually cut down how often COPD patients get these flare-ups. In one clinical study, people with severe COPD who used HFNT daily at home had significantly fewer exacerbations and almost halved their number of hospitalizations over the course of a yearmdpi.commdpi.com. Another trial in COPD patients with chronic CO₂ retention (high carbon dioxide levels) found that those using HFNT went longer before their next exacerbation and had a better quality of life compared to those on standard home oxygenarchbronconeumol.org. These benefits are thought to come from HFNT’s combined effects – it improves oxygenation, helps patients blow off carbon dioxide, and keeps airways clear and moisturized.
From a patient’s perspective, what does this mean? Simply put, breathing is easier and health setbacks happen less often. Many COPD patients report that while on HFNT, they feel less short of breath during daily activities. The constant warm airflow can reduce that panicky feeling of air hunger. Over time, needing fewer urgent doctor visits or hospital trips for breathing crises is a huge relief for both patients and their families. (Of course, HFNT doesn’t replace your medications or other treatments, but it adds an extra layer of support.) There is also an emotional benefit – knowing you have this supportive therapy at home can provide peace of mind. One person described it like having “a safety net of air” that keeps their lungs stable. Overall, for COPD outpatients prone to exacerbations, HFNT with MyAirvo 2 offers a convenient way to stay healthier and more active day to day.
| Feature | Fisher & Paykel MyAirvo HFNT | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Flow Rate Range | 2 to 60 L/min (wide range for all patients) | Often limited to 30-40 L/min |
| Humidification Quality | Integrated heated humidifier with optimal temperature and humidity control | Basic or external humidification, less consistent delivery |
| User Interface | Clear digital display with easy-to-use controls | Simplified or less intuitive controls |
| Portability & Size | Compact, lightweight design ideal for home and travel | Bulkier, heavier units with limited portability |
| Clinical Support & Reliability | Backed by Fisher & Paykel’s extensive clinical research and support | Varied clinical support; often less comprehensive |
| Maintenance & Service | 5-year service warranty with local in-store support | Shorter warranties and limited local servicing options |
| Therapy Range & Flexibility | Adjustable flow and FiO2 to suit a wide range of patient needs | Limited adjustability, less customizable therapy |
| Oximetry Integration | Compatible with continuous pulse oximetry for monitoring | Often lacks seamless integration |
| Patient Comfort | Heated, humidified air reduces dryness and irritation, improving compliance | Cool, dry air delivery can cause discomfort and reduce compliance |
| RRT Backed Therapy | Yes — Expert respiratory therapist support included | No or limited RRT support |
| Life-Time Therapy Guarantee | We replace your unit if it stops working — peace of mind guaranteed | No lifetime guarantee |
| Comfort Compared to CPAP | More comfortable and less intrusive, promoting better patient compliance | Less comfortable, often causing discomfort or intolerance |
COPD Support at Home
Wearing MyAirvo 2 for just 2–4 hours a day or night can dramatically improve breathing comfort, thin out mucus, enhance oxygen levels, and reduce flare-ups that often lead to ER visits or hospital stays.
Breathe easier. Live stronger.
Pediatric & Cystic Fibrosis Relief
Children struggling with thick mucus or labored breathing benefit from the gentle, warm airflow of MyAirvo 2. It keeps airways clear and reduces nighttime breathing interruptions — helping them (and parents) sleep better.
Powerful relief without invasive machines.
Helps You Cough More Effectively
High humidity delivered deep into the lungs helps mobilize stubborn mucus, making it easier to cough productively without strain. MyAirvo 2 is especially helpful for those with weak cough reflexes.
Less blockage. More freedom to breathe.
We Make Therapy Affordable
Although HFNT isn’t covered by government funding, SleepEZ handles insurance navigation for you—ensuring minimal out-of-pocket costs.
No insurance? No problem. We partner with flexible financing programs to make this life-changing therapy accessible.