Air Next: sharing spirometry data for better treatment

Some diseases require close, permanent control of the patient, especially if they are chronic and, if unchecked, potentially dangerous, like some lung diseases. Monitoring them is quite cumbersome, because patients regularly need to visit their physician or a hospital. Wireless devices for home measurements offer at least some comfort and relieve to patients.

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.

How do they benefit from it?

Consoli: When their lung function is deteriorating they can take action, by changing their medication or by visiting their physician, for example. In fact, through Aria, patients can seamlessly share the results with their caregivers.

What kind of role does a physician play in the monitoring and treatment of a patient who uses Air Next?

Consoli: Although Air Next and Aria are designed to empower patients to take an active role in the management of their condition, physicians still play a key role. They can monitor remotely how the lung health of their patients is evolving and intervene when appropriate.

In this regard, early this year we have closed a very important partnership with Royal Brompton Hospital, London, to monitor their Cystic Fibrosis patient population. Through this partnership, the data will be accessed by doctors and physiotherapists at the hospital via NUVOAir's digital platform to monitor their patients’ lung health. Medical professionals can then focus on their most critical cases, thus optimizing their workflow.

Speaking of this, what happens to the data that is collected using the app?

Consoli: The data is stored in a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant and encrypted cloud system. Patients are always in control of their data and can decide to share their data or withdraw their permission to access them at any point in time.

You exhibited at MEDICA START-UP PARK in 2017. What was your impression from it and why do you return in 2018?

Consoli: We were very pleased to see the traffic that MEDICA generated during and after the fair. For a startup like us it is really important to have a presence at MEDICA where all major players from all over the world are attending. It is a great window to showcase our technology. The START-UP PARK allowed us to do this in a cost-effective way. The organization was smooth and the support was fantastic, that’s why we decided to come back.