In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Lorenzo Consoli talks about the handheld wireless spirometer Air Next that uses cloud technology to connect patients with lung diseases to their physicians. He also tells us what chances the MEDICA START-UP PARK, taking place at MEDICA from 12-15 November 2018, offers young companies in medical technology.
Mr. Consoli, what is Air Next? And what is the idea behind this product?
Lorenzo Consoli: Air Next from NUVOAir is a handheld wireless spirometer connected via bluetooth low energy technology to a smartphone or tablet. A spirometer is a medical device used to diagnose respiratory conditions and to monitor the progress of those conditions over time. Air Next can measure all the parameters that a professional spirometer can measure, such as FEV1, FVC, PEF, at a fraction of the cost.
Spirometers have been traditionally used in a hospital setting, but with Air Next we wanted to bring to market a product that was affordable, easy to use and beautifully designed, and that even patients at home could use.
Patients who use the product can seamlessly and immediately share collected data with their caregivers. Aria is the patient app powering the Air Next spirometer available on both iOS and Android. Aria is a digital lung health assistant that supports patients in performing a lung function test and interpreting results and trends.
At what kind of patients is it aimed?
Consoli: Air Next is aimed at any patients with lung conditions who need to monitor how their lung health develops over time. The majority of our patients are asthmatic, but many have rare diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Why do they need to use it?
Consoli: As mentioned before, for these patients is really important to make sure the their lung function is stable and does not deteriorate. Having a portable, easy to use and cost-effective spirometer, such as Air Next, and an app, such as Aria, that can help understand how and why their lung health changes, is very important to them.