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From Bulky to Breakthrough: The Future of Airway Clearance
April 21, 2025 · 27 min

From Clunky to Cutting-Edge: The Evolution of Airway Clearance with Nicole Dunn

When our daughters first received their vest machines, they felt like they weighed a hundred pounds and had to be plugged into the wall. The vests didn’t fit well—riding high in the armpits and leaving much to be desired in comfort and function. Fast forward 25 years, and everything has changed.

In this episode, Laura talks with Nicole Dunn, Senior Market Development and Education Manager at Tactile Medicaland an expert on the AffloVest. With a strong background as a registered respiratory therapist and a deep passion for respiratory education, Nicole is at the forefront of innovation in airway clearance therapy.

Together, they dive into the evolution of the AffloVest—from its design improvements to the company's mission to provide accessible, life-changing therapy for people with chronic respiratory diseases like cystic fibrosis. Nicole shares how patient feedback has shaped product development, the impact of CF modulators on airway clearance, and how community engagement plays a vital role in Tactile Medical’s approach.

This episode is full of inspiration, real-life success stories, and a look at how far we’ve come in improving comfort, mobility, and quality of life for people with CF.

To learn more about Tactile Medical please visit:  https://tactilemedical.com

To learn more about AffloVest:  https://affloVest.com

For questions: afflovestinfo@tactilemedical.com

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