If you are interested in buying a vacuum bell, then you need to get in contact with the manufacturer by email.
Costa Vacuum Bell - costapectus@yahoo.com
Klobe Vacuum Bell - webmaster@trichterbrust.de
Simply state that you are interested in purchasing their product, and tell them you height and weight. They will promptly respond to your query with more information to help you decide whether their product is right for you.
You should also be aware that both manufacturers require that you consult a medical doctor before buying their product. Whilst Costa will accept your word, Klobe, will not sell you his product until you provide him with written permission from a medical doctor.
For more great information on the Vaccum Bell and the treatment of Pectus Excavatum please visit www.whatispectusexcavatum.com.
Saturday 20 June 2009
Medical Information Regarding the Vacuum Bell
Bending moments: The vacuum pulls the breastbone from its caved-in position into a raised position. The cartilaginous rib ends and costal arches, which are attached to the breastbone, are also pulled into a raised position. Simultaneously and with equivalent force, the rims of the vacuum bell press on the human body. The stress of these concurrent forces produces bending moments, primarily in the breastbone area and at the funnel edges. The bending moments at the funnel edges are counterbalanced by the anchorage of the ribs to the spinal column (backbone). These bending moments transform the cartilaginous rib-endings and costal arches, and the two moveable breastbone-hinges. Correction of the funnel is brought about primarily by their transformation.
Lifting of the funnel involves a 3-part process effecting the bones, cartilages and ligaments of the
ribcage: an initial, reversible (elastic) deformation; a gradual, permanent transformation;
and micro-ruptures, most likely occurring at the beginning of the treatment. Until these ruptures heal, the patient’s ribcage will experience a slight temporary loss of firmness.
The funnel's return to its concave position upon removal of the vacuum bell might be explained via the analogy of a competition between the ribcage's firmness and the pull of muscles, including the diaphragm. Optimal responses to therapy appear to result from lifting the funnel slowly and continuously in such a way that the teporary losses of firmness in the ribcage are kept to a minimum.
Gradual progress is best: It should take some time (even 2 to 4 weeks) for the chest to be lifted to the degree that the funnel comes into contact with the viewing glass. The inward-pulling muscles, such as the diaphragm, become stretched by lifting the chest wall. As a result of the complete duration of treatment, these muscles grow accustomed to their new position and
to pulling the funnel less forcefully. In many cases, this growing process takes longer than any other part of the treatment.
Lifting of the funnel involves a 3-part process effecting the bones, cartilages and ligaments of the
ribcage: an initial, reversible (elastic) deformation; a gradual, permanent transformation;
and micro-ruptures, most likely occurring at the beginning of the treatment. Until these ruptures heal, the patient’s ribcage will experience a slight temporary loss of firmness.
The funnel's return to its concave position upon removal of the vacuum bell might be explained via the analogy of a competition between the ribcage's firmness and the pull of muscles, including the diaphragm. Optimal responses to therapy appear to result from lifting the funnel slowly and continuously in such a way that the teporary losses of firmness in the ribcage are kept to a minimum.
Gradual progress is best: It should take some time (even 2 to 4 weeks) for the chest to be lifted to the degree that the funnel comes into contact with the viewing glass. The inward-pulling muscles, such as the diaphragm, become stretched by lifting the chest wall. As a result of the complete duration of treatment, these muscles grow accustomed to their new position and
to pulling the funnel less forcefully. In many cases, this growing process takes longer than any other part of the treatment.
Exercises to Help with Pectus Excavatum Treatment
To supplement the use of the Vacuum Bell, the following exercises may help improve posture,
leading to improved funnel appearance:
Exercise one:
The patient takes a deep breath. Hands are placed behind the head and fingers interlocked. The
elbows are pulled back (extended) as much as possible and the head needs to remain upright. This stretches the front side of the chest and strengthens the upper back muscles.
Exercise two:
Once the posture of exercise one has been properly attained, the patient slowly bends from the
hips forward down to a horizontal position, holds that position for about five seconds, and then
slowly straightens back up again. It is very important that during the exercise the elbows are
maintained in the original extended position. Also, the neck should not be flexed during this
procedure. In other words, when the patient reaches the horizontal position, his spinal cord should be straight and not flexed at the cervical (neck) region. This exercise strengthens the lower back muscles.
Exercise one (by itself) should be done approximately five times per day.
Exercise one and two together should be done two times per day.
Exercise two may be especially difficult to complete. It may take several days (or weeks) until a patient is capable of performing it. (In some cases patients might not be able to perform it at all,
perhaps because the upper body is too long.)
Before attempting these exercises, patients should seek approval from their medical doctor that such exercises are appropriate and safe (e.g., these exercises may not be appropriate for patients with slipped discs in the spinal column or other conditions) If the patient is not allowed to perform these exercises (or should not be capable of performing them), he might ask a physical therapist for substitute exercises.
The final purpose of these exercises is to get a straighter (“better”) posture and to support the
Vacuum Bell's work. Exercise two is especially important to get the lower back
muscles strong enough to maintain the appropriate posture. Some patients are able to achieve this improved posture within one or two months.
For more information on the exercises which will help with Pectus Excavatum please visit www.whatispectusexcavatum.com.
leading to improved funnel appearance:
Exercise one:
The patient takes a deep breath. Hands are placed behind the head and fingers interlocked. The
elbows are pulled back (extended) as much as possible and the head needs to remain upright. This stretches the front side of the chest and strengthens the upper back muscles.
Exercise two:
Once the posture of exercise one has been properly attained, the patient slowly bends from the
hips forward down to a horizontal position, holds that position for about five seconds, and then
slowly straightens back up again. It is very important that during the exercise the elbows are
maintained in the original extended position. Also, the neck should not be flexed during this
procedure. In other words, when the patient reaches the horizontal position, his spinal cord should be straight and not flexed at the cervical (neck) region. This exercise strengthens the lower back muscles.
Exercise one (by itself) should be done approximately five times per day.
Exercise one and two together should be done two times per day.
Exercise two may be especially difficult to complete. It may take several days (or weeks) until a patient is capable of performing it. (In some cases patients might not be able to perform it at all,
perhaps because the upper body is too long.)
Before attempting these exercises, patients should seek approval from their medical doctor that such exercises are appropriate and safe (e.g., these exercises may not be appropriate for patients with slipped discs in the spinal column or other conditions) If the patient is not allowed to perform these exercises (or should not be capable of performing them), he might ask a physical therapist for substitute exercises.
The final purpose of these exercises is to get a straighter (“better”) posture and to support the
Vacuum Bell's work. Exercise two is especially important to get the lower back
muscles strong enough to maintain the appropriate posture. Some patients are able to achieve this improved posture within one or two months.
For more information on the exercises which will help with Pectus Excavatum please visit www.whatispectusexcavatum.com.
Possible Course of Treatment
To begin with the patient should be examined by a licensed physician (medical doctor) to
make sure there are no contraindications against using the vacuum bell. Also, the first application of the vacuum bell should be supervised by medical personnel. The vacuum bell should be fitted while the patient lying in a horizontal position; the fit should be snug and comfortable. The patient pumps under supervision of medical personnel in accordance with the physician’s recommendation. In doing so, the patient should experience only minimal discomfort. With the vacuum applied the patient can try carefully to stand up and walk around. An application of 15 minutes should be sufficient for the first treatment, at the end of which a final check-up should be made. Subsequently, the vacuum bell can be handed over to the patient.
The patient can conduct subsequent treatments at his own convenience and in the comfort of his own home. During the early course of treatment, if the patient desires, he can take a break from treatment, consisting of a few days, in order to overcome chest soreness (a sensation similar to that caused by aching muscles). As soon as the chest becomes accustomed to the lifting of the funnel, it is feasible for the patient to apply the vacuum bell more often (shorten the amount of time elapsing between the single treatment sequences) and to extend the treatment-time to several hours per day. In the early states of treatment medical check-ups should be made every week, later every month or every quarter. The day on which the funnel remains in a sufficiently elevated position since the previous treatment marks an important development. From this point, treatment should continue for about one year in order to ensure that the progress made up to this point does not recede.
In conjunction with this treatment, physiotherapeutic exercises, especially those designed for
expanding respiratory volume as well as those designed for stretching the upper body, can have a significant influence on improving the physical appearance of the funnel chest patient.
make sure there are no contraindications against using the vacuum bell. Also, the first application of the vacuum bell should be supervised by medical personnel. The vacuum bell should be fitted while the patient lying in a horizontal position; the fit should be snug and comfortable. The patient pumps under supervision of medical personnel in accordance with the physician’s recommendation. In doing so, the patient should experience only minimal discomfort. With the vacuum applied the patient can try carefully to stand up and walk around. An application of 15 minutes should be sufficient for the first treatment, at the end of which a final check-up should be made. Subsequently, the vacuum bell can be handed over to the patient.
The patient can conduct subsequent treatments at his own convenience and in the comfort of his own home. During the early course of treatment, if the patient desires, he can take a break from treatment, consisting of a few days, in order to overcome chest soreness (a sensation similar to that caused by aching muscles). As soon as the chest becomes accustomed to the lifting of the funnel, it is feasible for the patient to apply the vacuum bell more often (shorten the amount of time elapsing between the single treatment sequences) and to extend the treatment-time to several hours per day. In the early states of treatment medical check-ups should be made every week, later every month or every quarter. The day on which the funnel remains in a sufficiently elevated position since the previous treatment marks an important development. From this point, treatment should continue for about one year in order to ensure that the progress made up to this point does not recede.
In conjunction with this treatment, physiotherapeutic exercises, especially those designed for
expanding respiratory volume as well as those designed for stretching the upper body, can have a significant influence on improving the physical appearance of the funnel chest patient.
What is a Vacuum Bell?
The vacuum bell is a medical device used for the treatment of pectus excavatum; an common chest defect (also known as funnel chest). The vacuum bell is typically used to treat cosmetic problems associated with the condition, as symptomatic cases of pectus excavatum; causing breathing or circulatory problems, are typically more severe, and will most likely require surgery.
The vacuum bell was invented by a German engineer named Klobe, and is sold online in Europe by Klobe himself. It is also possible to purchase a vacuum bell from an american manufacturer; Costa.
Differences between the Kolbe and Costa Vacuum Bell:
The Costa vacuum bell is black, whilst the Klobe vacuum bell is white, and both the vacuum bells have a slightly different positions for the suction pipe, but other than that they are identicle in design and materials used.
The two versions of Vacuum bell do, however, differ greatly in price; the Costa vacuum bell is priced at 450 USD, whilst the Klobe vacuum bell is more expensive; priced at 600 USD. Moreover, whilst the Costa Vacuum bell is available in the US and Europe, the Klobe vacuum Bell is only attainable in Europe. However, whilst it is only possible to get the Costa vacuum bell in one size; 10 inch vacuum bell intended for male adults 5'7 or taller, the Klobe vacuum bell comes in 5 different sizes:
The Large Vacuum Bell, diameter about 10", for male persons taller than approx. 5´ 7" (1.70 metres)
The Small Vacuum Bell, diameter about 7.5", for person taller than approx. 4´ 7" (1.40 metres)
The Small Vacuum Bell Type Bodybuilder for bodybuilders and special applications
The Mini Vacuum Bell, diameter about 6.3", for children taller than approx. 3´ 5" (1.04 metres)
The Vacuum Bell for women
Clinical Trials:
A study of 34 patients in 2006 (31 male and 3 female), aged between 6-52 years, who used the bell for 1-18 months showed immediate improvements. All of the patients recieved clinical examination, and CT scans . After 3 months, 27 of the patients displayed an elevation of the sternum of more than 1.5 cm, and after 12 months the sternum was lifted to a normal level within 5 of the patients. Studies showing long term improvements are currently unavailable, but up to this point, research appears promising.
For more great information on the Vaccum Bell and the treatment of Pectus Excavatum please visit www.whatispectusexcavatum.com.
The vacuum bell was invented by a German engineer named Klobe, and is sold online in Europe by Klobe himself. It is also possible to purchase a vacuum bell from an american manufacturer; Costa.
Differences between the Kolbe and Costa Vacuum Bell:
The Costa vacuum bell is black, whilst the Klobe vacuum bell is white, and both the vacuum bells have a slightly different positions for the suction pipe, but other than that they are identicle in design and materials used.
The two versions of Vacuum bell do, however, differ greatly in price; the Costa vacuum bell is priced at 450 USD, whilst the Klobe vacuum bell is more expensive; priced at 600 USD. Moreover, whilst the Costa Vacuum bell is available in the US and Europe, the Klobe vacuum Bell is only attainable in Europe. However, whilst it is only possible to get the Costa vacuum bell in one size; 10 inch vacuum bell intended for male adults 5'7 or taller, the Klobe vacuum bell comes in 5 different sizes:
The Large Vacuum Bell, diameter about 10", for male persons taller than approx. 5´ 7" (1.70 metres)
The Small Vacuum Bell, diameter about 7.5", for person taller than approx. 4´ 7" (1.40 metres)
The Small Vacuum Bell Type Bodybuilder for bodybuilders and special applications
The Mini Vacuum Bell, diameter about 6.3", for children taller than approx. 3´ 5" (1.04 metres)
The Vacuum Bell for women
Clinical Trials:
A study of 34 patients in 2006 (31 male and 3 female), aged between 6-52 years, who used the bell for 1-18 months showed immediate improvements. All of the patients recieved clinical examination, and CT scans . After 3 months, 27 of the patients displayed an elevation of the sternum of more than 1.5 cm, and after 12 months the sternum was lifted to a normal level within 5 of the patients. Studies showing long term improvements are currently unavailable, but up to this point, research appears promising.
For more great information on the Vaccum Bell and the treatment of Pectus Excavatum please visit www.whatispectusexcavatum.com.
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