New Breath Analyzer to Aid Asthma Diagnosis

A laser-based breath analyzer is designed to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. Early trials showed it provides consistent exhaled nitric oxide measurements related to airway inflammation, going beyond traditional pulmonary function testing such as spirometry.

The analyzer, called Breathmeter, is based on patented technology that uses a mid-infrared laser chip to measure nitric oxide and carbon dioxide simultaneously in exhaled breath. Future planned clinical studies will seek to verify that nitric oxide is elevated in patients with untreated or undertreated asthma and to determine if the test can be a measure for more accurate asthma assessment. The Breathmeter was developed by Ekips Technologies, Inc. (Norman, OK, USA; www.breathmeter.com). Ekips says the Breathmeter is designed to allow doctors real-time access to information contained in breath samples previously limited to research laboratories. The clinical studies are supported by a grant from the US National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

"The Breathmeter technology will likely prove useful in the diagnosis of asthma, but I'm also focused on how it can improve anti-inflammatory treatment by enabling more accurate dosing and ensuring compliance,” said Mark A. Camp, M.D., of The Lung Center (also in Norman, OK), who will be one of the lead investigators in the trial.




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