Scientists have developed a wearable ‘sticker’ that can accurately monitor and detect changes in breathing. They believe the ‘groundbreaking’ device to be the first of its kind. Healthcare professionals can use it in healthcare settings and in the home to provide a ‘crucial’ early warning for declining health. Furthermore it even works when not in direct contact with the skin.
Background
Changes in breathing rate can often be the first sign of patient deterioration in cases of, for example, sepsis and COVID-19. Common chronic respiratory diseases currently affect more than 435 million people globally. They include asthma, sleep apnoea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
One only has to search breathing on our pages to see the technologies associated with the subject.
Currently nurses measure breathing rate manually, counting the number of breaths per minute. The researchers argue that this can introduce delays to detecting changes and potential treatment.
Alternative systems include chest-band or facemasks for continuously measuring respiration rate. However these can be invasive and uncomfortable for use over long periods of time. Consequently there clearly exists an unfulfilled need for non-invasively, efficiently and accurately measuring respiratory rate.
Pneumorator™ breathing monitor project
This reported development is led by Nottingham Trent University, the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton. Med-tech company Zelemiq Ltd is also a participant. The project has enjoyed almost £1million funding from the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). It is being advanced within the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.
The so-called Pneumorator™ contains a series of functional layers. It works by measuring the frequency variation of the sensor caused by breathing. This permits the accurate detection of subtle variations due to chest expansion or changes in lung composition. The researchers say the device is low cost and suitable for mass manufacturing.
Clinical study
A study, published in the journal Sensors demonstrated that the device was capable of continuously measuring respiratory rate of volunteers. It was accurate to the level of two breaths per minute. In commercial form it would be wirelessly interfaced to display data onto dedicated smartphone or tablet app. This would enable the healthcare team to use it as an early warning system.
A clinical trial at University Hospital Southampton will now be further validate the approach. The aim is to achieve regulatory approval within the NHS.
Author comments
“This is a groundbreaking wearable innovation meticulously developed to provide crucial support for patients and healthcare professionals.” So said Dr Yang Wei, an expert in electronic textiles and electronic engineering in Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility.
He added: “The ability to continuously measure respiration in this way gives us the potential to enable faster, more effective treatment. This significantly enhances patient outcomes and operational efficiency within the health service.”
Professor Neil White, Director of the Centre for Healthcare of the University of Southampton, said: “This wearable technology allows the measurement of respiratory rate over long periods of time, which is not achievable using conventional manual breath counting. Trends in respiratory rate can therefore be recorded and observed, offering the potential for rapid interventions that can potentially save lives.”
Dr Harry Akerman, a consultant anaesthetist at University Hospital Southampton, commented. “Respiratory rate is often the first physiological parameter to change as a patient is becoming unwell. It can come ahead of changes to heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels. It is also the only one of these that we routinely measured manually and so is susceptible to human error.
“We know that earlier detection of diseases is better for patients whilst also being cheaper to treat. As such a device that continuously and non-invasively measures respiratory rate could be a great tool in the early detection of deteriorating patients.”
Source: Nottingham Trent University
published: December 12, 2024 in: Clinical Studies/Trials, Journals, Technology, Thoracic/Respiratory, UK
