The Veterans Administration is looking for a partner to further develop and commercialize the “Ventilation Feedback System” to be used to provide the therapy for chronic lung disease. This system will be able to help patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and help them adopt more efficient breathing patterns while exercising.
The system developed by the VA measures the patient’s breathing pattern by means of an airflow sensor attached to a mask or mouthpiece. With feedback and guidance from the system, the patient is taught to breathe during exertion in a way than helps to minimize some of the effects of COPD.
Some patients develop a breathing pattern characterized by a tendency to continuously over inflate their lungs with short and rapid breaths near the top of their lung capacity during exercise.
The visual display graphically shows the target amount of exhalation time along with the actual measured times and helps the patient keep score of their success in reaching specific targets.
The invention has components that are readily available and relatively inexpensive, enables clinicians to analyze the patient’s breathing pattern after rehabilitation sessions, and tests demonstrate substantial improvements in work rate tests and perceived breathlessness.
The VA is looking to work with a partner to develop this technology through a license and is available to collaborate with interested companies through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.
For more information, email Jeffrey Moore, PhD, at the VA Office of Research & Development at Jeffrey.moore@va.gov or call (202) 701-7628.