PARSIPPANY, NJ, USA - Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) recently showcased its new LiteTouch aerosol delivery mask at the annual Association of Asthma Educators (AAE) Conference held in Orlando, Florida, July 30-August 2. LiteTouch incorporates a newly designed soft-seal feature that contours to the patient's face with a minimal amount of applied pressure.

LiteTouch is designed to provide greater comfort and easier delivery of aerosol medication. The mask uses a unique composite that fuses a clear, hard shell to an exclusive soft-seal interface. It fits onto the mouthpiece of a Philips Respironics valved holding chamber (VHC) and functions by simply touching the mask seal lightly to the patient's face. LiteTouch contours to the face with a minimum amount of pressure.

"VHC masks are typically needed for young children who can't use a pressurized meter dose inhaler (pMDI) directly and must use a VHC with a mask," notes Tim H. Gordon, Director of Marketing, Philips Respironics Respiratory Drug Delivery (RDD) group. "Conventional silicone VHC masks, although flexible, still require firm force to seal properly on a child's face. It's no wonder children often resist the mask."

Published studies on conventional silicone VHC masks reveal fit problems that may lead to unwanted leaks that could hamper aerosol delivery from the VHC. Recent studies demonstrate that the LiteTouch mask helps to eliminate leaks with less applied force when compared to silicone masks. Additionally, the new LiteTouch mask was shown to be more resistant to leaks when the mask was tilted at an angle greater than five percent, as might occur when treating an uncooperative child.1,2,3

"Mask design is part science and part art," notes Dirk von Hollen, Director of Research, Respironics RDD group. "We develop products in our aerosol laboratory using face models, pressure-flow gauges, and aerosol measurement instruments. Due to the complexity of the human face, however, we also need to exercise judgment based on our years of experience to select proper materials and methods that produce an improved device such as the LiteTouch mask."

LiteTouch will be sold to hospitals through CareFusion Corporation of San Diego, California, beginning in August 2010 and will also be available to asthma clinics. CareFusion currently carries the Respironics OptiChamber VHC devices which may be used with the LiteTouch mask. LiteTouch and VHC products may be seen at the AAE Orlando meeting at the Philips Respironics booth, No. 200.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of US 32.3 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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