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Please Note: The technology listed below is not available to the public at this time. This technology is in the early stage of research and requires further development before it is ready for the marketplace. The VA is currently in the process of identifying potential companies who may be interested in licensing and/or further developing the technology through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA). Through cooperative research initiatives such as these, it is our hope and goal that commercial products will be fully developed and made available to benefit veterans and others.
VA TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITY BRIEF
Ventilation Feedback System
(#(01-082)
OPPORTUNITY:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a commercial partner to further
develop this technology through a Cooperative R&D Agreement (CRADA) to expedite
bringing it to market.
BACKGROUND:
It is estimated that 11.6 million persons are afflicted with asthma, 12 million
with chronic bronchitis, and 2 million with emphysema. A recent study revealed
that the prevalence of chronic bronchitis, airflow obstruction or both was 14%
for men and 8% for women. Prevalence rates are strongly influenced by smoking
and increasing age. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth
leading cause of death in the United States, and the mortality rate is expected
to rise. Persons with COPD are more likely to rate their health as poor, to
report more limitations in daily activities, to visit their physician, to stay
in the hospital and to report more disability days. It was estimated that more
than 17 million office visits and 2 million hospitalizations (> 13% of hospital
visits) result from COPD. Exercise training is recognized as an important part
of pulmonary rehabilitation. Innovative approaches to pulmonary rehabilitation
are instrumental in modifying this cyclical pattern of increasing impairment
and decreasing reserve to cope with the stress and strain of daily living.
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW:
The invention is a computer system to be used in the therapy of chronic lung
disease. The system measures the patient's breathing pattern by means of an
airflow sensor attached to a mask or mouthpiece. With feedback and guidance
from the system, the patient is taught to breathe during exertion in a way that
helps to minimize some of the effects of the chronic lung disease. It is some
patients' natural inclination to develop a breathing pattern characterized by
a tendency to continuously over inflate their lungs with short and rapid breaths
near the top of their lung capacity, particularly during exercise. These patients
struggle to get an adequate breath, and continuously try to inhale more deeply
even though part of their problem is that they are not exhaling deeply enough
to get the breath they need. This invention helps the patient to learn a more
useful pattern of breathing during exertion, by visually illustrating to the
patient the time they spend in the inhaling and exhaling phases of their breathing
cycle. The visual display graphically shows the "target" amount of
exhalation time along with the actual measured times, and helps the patient
keep score of their success in reaching specific targets.
TECHNICAL MERIT:
The invention is an exercise training support system. The concept is developed
with software written in C and C++. It is currently being ported to Visual C++
to run under Microsoft Windows™. The hardware of the prototype systems
consists of a readily available personal computer, the venerable Fleisch pneumotachometer,
and some connecting components. A technical advantage is that all of the components
are available, well understood, and relatively inexpensive. The invention is
in the prototype stage of development. The system has not been subjected to
comparative studies with other methods of breathing pattern and exercise training.
The invention was developed to assist in treating patients with COPD, including
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. There is some suggestion in the literature
that resting BPT could have value in the management of congestive heart failure
(Friedman 1999).
PATENT STATUS:
No patent was filed for this invention. The VA is currently seeking CRADA partners for this technology.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Saleem Sheredos
Program Manager
Technology Transfer Program
Veterans Affairs
Office of Research & Development (12TT)
5th Floor
103 South Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
202-380-5080
Fax 410.962.2141
e-mail: saleem.sheredos@va.gov