University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a novel, smartphone-based tool that leverages ultrasonic technology to evaluate respiratory function. The "Smartphone-based Ultrasonic Respiratory Evaluation (SURe)" uses the existing hardware in smartphones—specifically the speaker and microphone—to provide accurate, convenient, and non-invasive pulmonary function measurements. This innovative approach could transform asthma management and general respiratory care by enabling continuous monitoring outside clinical settings.
Description
The present invention relates to systems and methods for pulmonary function testing, and, in particular, to systems and methods for estimating lung function, calculating airway mechanics and/or detecting airway obstructions using an electronic apparatus, such as a smartphone or similar device.
Applications
• Pulmonary function testing
• Monitoring asthma and other respiratory diseases
• Remote and telehealth diagnostics
• Early detection of changes in respiratory status
Advantages
The SURe technology is a non-invasive, cost-effective solution that leverages existing smartphone hardware, eliminating the need for specialized equipment. Its portability and convenience make it ideal for at-home monitoring, particularly beneficial for pediatric use and in low-resource settings. The technology's broad range of clinical applications includes early detection, continuous monitoring, and telehealth contexts. Furthermore, it provides accurate and robust measurements with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), even in practical settings, ensuring precise data for clinical decision support.
Invention Readiness
The SURe technology has reached the prototype stage, with initial experiments demonstrating its ability to achieve sub-millimeter accuracy in detecting chest wall movements. The ultrasonic signal emitted by the smartphone’s speaker, operating at a low intensity (17-20 kHz), has shown a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of over 40 dB at a 10-cm distance, sufficient for reliable signal analysis. Experimental results have confirmed that the measurement of chest wall movement can achieve precision with less than a 10% error rate in lung function metrics. Additionally, the technology's signal processing techniques effectively mitigate the impact of external disturbances. Ongoing tests aim to further validate the technology’s accuracy and robustness in diverse patient populations.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210369232A1Related Publication(s)
Song, X., Yang, B., Yang, G., Chen, R., Forno, E., Chen, W., & Gao, W. (2020). SpiroSonic. In Proceedings of the 26th Annual International Conference on Mobile Computing and Networking (pp. 1–14). MobiCom ’20: The 26th Annual International Conference on Mobile Computing and Networking. ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3372224.3419209
