New local innovation is world’s first with potential for assessing other respiratory functions.
BANGI: A locally innovated asthma monitoring device is all set to create a new revolution in respiratory medicine, especially for the examination of asthmatic attacks in real time.
Developed by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Penang Hospital, the gadget called Spironic is so versatile that it has the potential for monitoring other respiratory conditions as well.
Spironic which is capable of analysing “real time expired carbon dioxide waveform” was recently introduced by the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation and Magnifique Technology PLT.
“Spironic is a low cost, effective and practical system which can be integrated into various phases of care in patients with asthma and related conditions,” said Dr Teo Aik Howe of the Penang General Hospital.
He also said the device is the first of its kind in the world and will make asthma monitoring easy and less complicated, especially in the monitoring of asthma among the elderly and very young patients.
Teo said the assessment of asthma is usually difficult among children and the elderly, as they find it difficult to explain their respiratory distress during the onset of an attack.
The launch session was moderated by Malaysian Biotechnology Executive Director, Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan.
“Most of the time, patients are unable to perform such assessments by themselves which require active efforts during severe attacks,” said Teo.
He said, Spironic offers an easier mode of action, being able to continuously check respiratory functions with minimal effort in various settings.
The device comes with a screen displaying the an asthma severity index, providing fast and precise results.
The device also incorporates different breathing apparatus, which is portable, lightweight, and easy to use at home and comes with a USB/SD card data storage powered by rechargeable batteries.
MTDC CEO, Dato’ Norhalim Yunus said, Spironic is potentially an Industry 4.0 capable solution, bringing asthma monitoring to the home.
“It is sophisticated, with a simple user interface, connectivity ready, and definitely the right tool to provide real time information for asthma patients whenever and wherever they need it.
MTDC plays a role in identifying technologies or innovations by local universities to be commercialised under the MTDC Symbiosis Entrepereneur Programme.
Under this programme, MTDC has funded a group of young entrepreneurs under the Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) One.
Magnifique Technology PLT is one such group of entrepreneurs established under MTDC’s supervision who collaborated with UTM to commercialise local research and innovations, added Norhalim.
