The Neonatal Respiratory Challenge
Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the CDC, approximately 377,000 infants are born preterm in the United States each year — roughly 1 in every 10 births. Many of these infants face immediate respiratory challenges: their lungs are underdeveloped, surfactant production is insufficient, and their tiny airways are vulnerable to obstruction.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is the most common respiratory condition in preterm infants, affecting an estimated 74,000 neonates annually in the United States. Beyond RDS, conditions such as meconium aspiration syndrome, neonatal pneumonia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia all require careful airway management. For these fragile patients, effective mucus clearance can be the difference between recovery and prolonged ventilator dependence.
| ~377K | Preterm births in the US annually (CDC, 2024) |
| 1 in 10 | US births are preterm (March of Dimes) |
| ~74K | NICU admissions for RDS annually (Neonatal Network) |
| 60+ | Years of G5 clinical heritage (G5) |
Why Neonatal CPT Is Different
Chest physiotherapy for neonates is fundamentally different from adult percussion therapy. An adult’s chest wall is rigid and can tolerate vigorous percussion; a neonate’s chest is compliant, fragile, and requires precisely controlled force. The traditional “cupped hand” technique used in adult CPT is inappropriate for neonates — the forces involved are too variable and potentially dangerous.
Neonatal therapists have traditionally used a “tenting” technique — percussing with two or three fingers — to deliver gentler forces. However, this technique is fatiguing, difficult to standardize, and varies significantly between practitioners. The G5 Neocussor was engineered specifically to address these challenges.
The Neocussor Difference
The G5 Neocussor is the only percussion device engineered from the ground up for neonatal chest physiotherapy. Its patented directional-stroking action sets it apart from every other device on the market.
Directional-Stroking Action
Unlike adult percussion devices, the Neocussor uses a patented directional-stroking mechanism that mimics the gentle finger-tapping technique used by neonatal therapists.
Designed for Neonates
Purpose-built for the smallest patients — the Neocussor’s specialized applicator tips are sized for neonatal anatomy, from preemies to full-term newborns.
Gentle Calibration
Precisely calibrated force output ensures therapeutic effectiveness without exceeding safe pressure thresholds for fragile neonatal chest walls.
FDA-Cleared
Registered as a Class II medical device with the FDA — trusted in NICUs across the country for decades.
Clinical Standard
Used in leading NICUs and pediatric hospitals as part of standard respiratory care protocols for neonatal patients.
Made in USA
Manufactured in St. Louis, Missouri to the same medical-grade standards that have defined G5 for over 60 years.
How the Neocussor Is Used in the NICU
Chest percussion therapy in the NICU is always clinician-administered. Here’s what the treatment looks like.
- Positioning. A respiratory therapist gently positions your baby and applies the Neocussor to specific areas of the chest wall using a soft applicator.
- Treatment. Treatment typically lasts 10–20 minutes, depending on your baby’s tolerance and the clinical protocol. The stroking motion is gentle and rhythmic — many parents describe it as soothing.
- Monitoring. Your baby is monitored continuously during percussion therapy. Pulse oximetry, heart rate, and breathing patterns are tracked throughout treatment.
- Clearance. Treatment is typically combined with suctioning to remove loosened secretions, positioning changes, and ventilator management as part of a comprehensive respiratory care plan.
What Parents Should Know
- Your baby will be monitored continuously during percussion therapy — pulse oximetry, heart rate, and breathing patterns are tracked throughout.
- Treatment is adjusted to your baby’s comfort. If your baby shows signs of distress, the therapist stops immediately.
- Treatment frequency depends on your baby’s condition — some babies benefit from percussion 2–3 times daily, while others may receive it once daily or as needed.
- Ask your team about outcomes: “Is the percussion therapy helping? What improvements are you seeing?”
Clinical Applications
The Neocussor supports respiratory care across a range of neonatal conditions.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
The most common reason for NICU admission, RDS affects preterm infants whose lungs haven’t produced enough surfactant. The Neocussor helps mobilize secretions in these fragile airways.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
When newborns inhale meconium-stained amniotic fluid, it can block airways and cause inflammation. Gentle percussion helps clear the aspirated material.
Neonatal Pneumonia
Infections in the neonatal lung produce excess secretions that the infant’s weak cough reflex cannot clear. The Neocussor provides the external assistance needed.
Post-Extubation Care
After mechanical ventilation, neonates often need help clearing accumulated secretions. The Neocussor supports the transition to independent breathing.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
Chronic lung disease in premature infants requires ongoing airway management. The Neocussor provides consistent, gentle therapy for long-term care.
From NICU to Home
For infants who require ongoing respiratory support after NICU discharge, the Neocussor provides continuity of care. Parents can continue the same percussion therapy at home that their baby received in the hospital, maintaining the therapeutic routine that clinicians established during the NICU stay.
The Neocussor’s simple operation means parents can be trained quickly by their baby’s respiratory therapist before discharge. The device’s consistent, calibrated output eliminates the variability that makes manual neonatal CPT so challenging for non-clinicians to perform safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about neonatal percussion therapy.
Is percussion therapy safe for premature babies?
Yes. When performed with equipment and techniques designed specifically for neonates — like the G5 Neocussor — percussion therapy is safe and well-tolerated. The Neocussor’s gentler Directional-Stroking technology avoids the intensity that could harm a fragile newborn. Always ensure treatment is provided by trained respiratory professionals in appropriate clinical settings.
How is the Neocussor different from adult percussion devices?
Adult percussors use conventional vibration designed for larger bodies and stronger rib cages. The Neocussor is engineered specifically for infants: smaller applicators, gentler frequency and amplitude, quieter operation, and a stroking motion that aligns with neonatal anatomy. Using an adult device on a baby is inappropriate and potentially harmful.
Can parents administer the Neocussor at home without training?
Only after proper training from your NICU care team. If home percussion is recommended, your team will ensure you’re confident and competent before discharge. Never attempt percussion therapy without explicit instruction and approval from your pediatrician.
Will my baby need percussion therapy forever?
Most babies do not. As lungs mature and airway clearance improves, the need for percussion typically decreases. Regular reassessment with your pediatrician will determine when it’s safe to discontinue. Babies with genetic respiratory conditions (cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia) may require longer-term percussion, but frequency and duration usually decrease significantly as they grow.
How do we access the G5 Neocussor?
Talk to your NICU care team. If percussion therapy is medically indicated, your hospital’s respiratory or physiotherapy department will have access to appropriate equipment. For home use after discharge, discuss with your pediatrician or pediatric pulmonologist, who can coordinate with equipment suppliers and insurance authorization.
Learn more
Explore the G5 Neocussor or contact our team with questions about percussion therapy for this condition.