One-stop breath analyser for better care to vulnerable patients
Early diagnosis of chronic diseases is crucial to improve treatment and prognosis, e.g. chronic lung disease, cancer, chronic kidney or liver disease in children and elderly. Non-invasive analysis of exhaled breath has shown potential for improved diagnosis and management of chronic diseases. In this project, we focus on a one-stop diagnostic solution, especially for vulnerable patients with chronic diseases by solving critical existing problems of commercial breath tests.
As a start, the clinical application is children (1-4 years) suspected of asthma, which is a group of 15 million patients in the EU (360,000 in the Netherlands). Our TRL4 lab prototype exists of carbon nanotube sensors performing in a highly controlled environmental box and being processed by dedicated algorithms. In the demonstration phase, a TRL6 prototype is developed with a focus on achieving the required sensitivity by dedicated functionalization of the carbon nanotube sensors and intelligent data processing to determine the complex breath profiles. Moreover, we focus on ease of breathing and feasibility during the test by mimicking canine nasal airflow.
In the validate phase, the TRL6 is evaluated by our clinical consortium partners according to the Medical Device Directive. As the market for one-stop breath analysers will grow a staggering 30% in the coming decade, a competitive position is expected. In the transfer phase, we target IP protection and a solid market entrance strategy.
