ResMed has introduced its new generation of portable, lightweight, and user-friendly life support ventilators: the Astral 100 and Astral 150. Both devices are approved for patients suffering from neuromuscular disease, COPD, and other adult and childhood respiratory disorders, according to ResMed.

The devices are equipped with a large touchscreen display and easy-to-navigate graphic user interface. The touchscreen functionality can be accessed without removing the device from its mobility bag, so patients can take advantage of the ventilator’s enhanced portability.

Astral life support ventilators feature eight customizable breathing modes to ensure that patients receive optimal treatment to manage their respiratory requirements.

The devices offer the best battery-to-weight ratio on the market with an eight-hour internal battery and a weight of only 7 lbs, according to ResMed. Two optional eight-hour external batteries provide a total run-time of 24 hours. 

These features, and others, contributed to the Astral 150 life support ventilator earning the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award for 2014. Red Dot is the world’s largest design competition. 

Astral was successfully launched in European and select Asia-Pacific markets earlier this year. Both the Astral 100 and Astral 150 devices began shipping in the US on Tuesday.

“Astral has been well-received in Europe and Asia-Pacific, and we’re looking forward to US patients enjoying more freedom and mobility, with an easier transition from hospital to home,” said Geoff Neilson, president of ResMed’s Respiratory Care strategic business unit. “The new Astral platform reflects our company’s longstanding history of patient-centric design and innovation,” said Neilson.