Pioneering technology speeds up COPD diagnosis
COPD is a life-limiting lung condition often caused by smoking. Here, Mark Smith explains how a new device is able to detect it in patients within minutes in a bid to slow its progress
Apioneering piece of technology which speeds up the detection of a chronic lung condition has been developed here in Wales.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects more than three million people in the UK at an estimated cost to the NHS of £2bn.
The condition, often found in smokers, irritates and inflames the lungs and causes permanent scarring.
It leads to a breakdown of lung tissue and a narrowing of the airways and air sacs, leading to breathlessness, wheezing and frequent chest infections.
But through spin-out company PulmonIR Ltd, based in Swansea, a new device has been created which accurately detects the degenerative lung condition.
It is claimed the technology could allow COPD patients to be tested and diagnosed in as little as 10 minutes.
By speeding up diagnosis and improving monitoring of the condition, experts say the device has the potential to save lives, lower hospital admissions and reduce treatment costs in the NHS.
Professor Paul Lewis, of Swansea University’s Medical School, who has led the research, said: “Where COPD is present, the surface of molecules within a sample of sputum (coughed-up mucus) contains a specific configuration of sugars.
“We discovered that by shining beams of infrared light onto a sample, you could detect COPD from the unique frequency of infrared light bouncing off the sample.”
Clinical trials, in collaboration with Cwm Taf University Health Board’s Dr Sadiyah Hand, began in August 2016 and it is hoped the technology will one day be used by medics across the globe.
While the symptoms of COPD are irreversible, the disease can be slowed, giving a huge boost to the quality of life a sufferer can expect.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething AM said: “This technology could speed up diagnosis and improve monitoring of COPD, which could bring real benefits to patients.
“Not only could this help the NHS work more efficiently, but the spinout company has the potential to bring economic benefits and highvalue jobs to Wales.
“I’m delighted to support this development and I’m pleased that respiratory specialists at Cwm Taf Health Board are participating in the clinical trials.”
The preliminary clinical trials were made possible following a capital grant from Welsh Government health technology funding and an investment into the new business from a syndicate including IP Group, Finance Wales and the Swansea University Innovation Fund.
Once they have been completed, further investment will be required to complete the development of a clinically validated system that can be put on sale in the UK and overseas.
Dr Mark Bowman, chief executive officer of PulmonIR Ltd, said: “I have been involved with Professor Lewis for some time, having previously managed the InvestorG8 investment readiness initiative on behalf of Swansea University.
“I was very happy to be asked by the investor group to join the new company and to lead the initial phases of its commercial development. “Professor Lewis and I will be working closely with Dr Sadiyah Hand to deliver the preliminary clinical trial results.
“At this point, PulmonIR should be well-placed to secure the necessary regulatory approvals that are essential for launching a commercial product into the international healthcare markets.”
He added: “We will now focus on further product development work, with the aim of commencing regulatory clinical trials on its products towards the end of 2018.
“Other applications for the technology, including the diagnosis of lung cancer, are being assessed for future development and investment.
“There is now a real opportunity for PulmonIR to create high-value jobs in Wales over the next few years, to benefit the NHS and its patients through better disease management, and to export respiratory diagnostic products into key overseas markets including the EU 27, the USA and China.”