Effects of the Breathe Technologies Ventilation System in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult males, ≥ 40 years of age
• Diagnosis of severe COPD (GOLD stage III or IV) defined as having a FEV1 < 50% of predicted and an FEV1/FVC ratio < 70% of predicted
• Ventilatory limitation to exercise, documented by a VE/MVV > 0.85
• SpO2 between 80% and 88% during incremental exercise testing on room air
• Willingness and ability (after training) to exercise on a cycle ergometer
• Willingness and ability to perform all other study related procedures and tasks
• Ability to be properly fitted with the Breathe nasal mask
• Ability to tolerate and be appropriately titrated on the Breathe ventilator (See Appendix E)
• Ability to be properly fitted with an exercise mask
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Provision of written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of acute exacerbation of COPD within 30 days of screening
• History of serious epistaxis within 14 days of screening
• Requirement of > 5 LPM nasal O2 to maintain an SpO2 > 90% while at rest
• History of pneumothorax secondary to lung bullae
• History of intolerance to supplemental oxygen
• Musculoskeletal or other non-pulmonary impairment that limits exercise tolerance
• Inability to achieve an optimal CWR level (4-7 minutes) during Study Visit 1R
• Current participation in another interventional study or participation within 14 days of screening
• Presence of any condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Principal Investigator may compromise the subject's safety or the quality of the study data