An Israeli innovation could drastically improve quality of life for patients suffering from lung disease by using new remote medical monitoring technology.
Developed by Israeli-based company, Deep Breeze, the new device, patented under the name Breeze@Home, works on vibration response imaging (VRI) technology, which works by using sensors to record acoustic vibrations from the user’s lungs.
The Breeze@Home device is built into a custom-made vest that the patient wears for lung function to be monitored. The data is then sent to a compatible smart-phone or tablet device such as an iPad. Information is digitally converted into images which are further analysed by the software using pre-set parameters to monitor lung function.
The patient’s doctor can then track lung function through the network, which also incorporates picture, voice, text and video communication, enabling a fully-interactive remote diagnostic tool.
For people suffering from lung diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or chronic asthma, who face frequent hospitalisation for monitoring, the Breeze@Home can enable patients to safely stay at home and still receive necessary, life-saving monitoring.
According to one doctor who has been working with the technology, the system is a great tool for helping physicians to manage patients accurately and more efficiently, with the added benefits of reducing hospital stays and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Similar systems have been in use in hospitals around the world since 2007, but only on an in-patient basis. The latest development has seen the US FDA give the green light for approval on in-home use with remote monitoring by trained personnel.
For further details, see:
http://www.israel21c.org/201104038929/health/deep-breeze-breakthrough-lets-patients-breathe-easy