Mar 3 2016
Researchers at the University of Surrey have built the world’s first ‘sneezometer’, which is an airflow sensor or ‘spirometer’. It is configured to measure the speed of a sneeze. The sneezometer can be applied to diagnose a number of respiratory conditions. It is double the speed and more sensitive than any other device currently available in the market.
The University of Surrey’s Sneezometer, explained by Dr David Birch - Long
The University of Surrey’s Sneezometer, explained by Dr David Birch.
Spirometers are used to measure lung capacity. They are used extensively to diagnose chronic and acute respiratory conditions including asthma, hypopnoea, and obstructive sleep apnoea. However the devices available today have a high cost, are cumbersome and do not possess the sensitivity needed to assess challenging diagnostic situations, such as neonatal care.
The fist-sized sneezometer, designed by the Surrey team, is capable of measuring the air flow through the lungs of a patient. When the patient breaths into it, it quickly analyzes the breath and detects minute fluctuations in the flow rate, which could be an indicator of a disease.
Since no similar instruments have ever been available researchers are still working on the diagnostic capabilities.
Diagnosing Debilitating Illnesses Simply
Breathing disorders are highly prevalent in the developed and developing world, with one in twelve people in the UK currently receiving treatment for asthma. The diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases is key to proper treatment and we have now developed a simple, low-cost and non-intrusive diagnostic solution that will make doctors lives easier across the world.
Dr David Birch, Senior Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering, University of Surrey
Dr. Paul Nathan, co-inventor of the sneezometer added, “We have created a portable, highly sensitive and accurate spirometer that can catch the speed of a sneeze. What’s almost as impressive is that we created this innovative device using simple 3D printing technology, with all of the prototypes ‘printed’ around the internal electronics.”
A Portable Device to Combat the Effects of Pollution
Respiratory diseases are especially prevalent in developing cities such as Delhi and Beijing where air quality is a big concern. Air pollution was recently placed in the top ten health risks faced by human beings globally, with the World Health Organization linking air pollution to seven million premature deaths every year. The availability of an inexpensive and portable diagnostic device such as this will assist in such diseases being diagnosed, and treated at earlier stages.
Dr Prashant Kumar, University of Surrey, “
Currently the sneezometer is being tested in real world conditions at Kings College Hospital, London. It will be used to assist in the diagnosis of several conditions, ranging from neonatal issues to animal diseases.
The ability to measure the sensitivity of airflow detection and pull out other information from single breath is very interesting from both a research and clinical perspective. This is currently not picked out with conventional tests, and we have already been using it to mimic testing of asthma.
Dr Manasi Nandi, Senior Lecturer, Integrative Pharmacology, King's College London
The team hopes to see this novel device in clinical service by 2018.
From our expertise in wind-tunnel measurement we have translated fundamental research into an incredibly beneficial technology that will have real impact on the lives of patients with chronic illnesses and will make diagnosis faster, cheaper and more accurate.
Dr David Birch, Senior Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering, University of Surrey