A University of Manchester tech spin-out has come up with what’s been described as a game-changer for asthma patients.
Clin-e-cal has produced the Clip-Tone System to teach patients to learn how to use their inhalers properly and it comes following research that 90% of inhaler users don’t use them correctly.
The simple inhaler add-on and a smartphone app was funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research and Asthma + Lung UK .
Professor Tariq Aslam, who is also a consultant ophthalmologist, explained that the system was built on a whistle, with a device that clips onto the inhaler’s canister, and sounds when a user inhales.
The acoustic signal is picked up by the Clin-e-cal smartphone app, giving real time feedback on good or poor technique.
“My son Rafi really struggled to take his inhaler which was so stressful and frightening for us all. I was determined to do something about it and so designed a system on a shoestring which could help train him,” explained Professor Aslam.
“Not only it did it work spectacularly, he actually found the experience enjoyable. It was utterly transformational- and from that time on Rafi was able to take his asthma meds when he needed them.”
The randomised control trial of 117 adults, led by Clare Murray, Professor of paediatric respiratory medicine at The University of Manchester, analysed the efficacy of the Clip-Tone System (CTS) in asthmatic patients over 1, 3 and 6 months, using a scoring system for the inhalation technique and measuring the mean inhalation time.
The patients using the system significantly improved their technique to achieve a near perfect score, and significantly increased their inhalation time which was maintained for the duration of the study.
Focus groups also revealed that some patients didn’t realise they had been using their inhalers incorrectly. Others got so used to using the training device, they felt uncomfortable taking their meds without it.
“Inhaler therapy is the mainstay of treatment for airway disease and is highly effective if taken correctly,” said Professor Murray.
“However, of the 70% of inhalers supplied in the UK which are pressurised metered dose inhalers, around 90% of users have poor inhaler technique.
“Inhalation flow rate, duration of inhalation, and poorly timed actuation are common mistakes.
“The inability of patients to take the correct dose will inevitably mean that treatment is not optimal which is highly stressful for patients and can result in ongoing symptoms.”
The Clip-Tone is not currently available for sale but the inventors are hoping to find a partner to take it to maket.
