Synapse, a provider of project management, product development and design services, has collaborated with Asthmapolis, a company dealing in asthma management devices, to develop novel technologies for treatment of asthma.
Combining medication sensors, mobile applications, and analytics, the Asthmapolis sensor attaches to existing inhalers to collect data such as when and where patients experience asthma conditions. (PRNewsFoto/Synapse Product Development)
Asthmapolis and Synapse have developed a sensor that can be used to collect data about the time and location where patients with asthma experience asthmatic conditions. The sensor can be attached to existing rescue inhalers. The FDA has granted clearance for the solution and the company is to commence marketing of the solution.
Synapse was chosen by Asthmapolis for its multi-disciplinary engineering capabilities. Both the companies collaborated to advance existing designs to improve functionality and reliability to achieve a lightweight device with a small profile. Synapse improved the product’s ergonomics and aesthetics and designed the product so that it cannot be activated accidentally. It also addressed issues related to manufacturability and ease-of-use by patients.
Synapse's Director of Business Development, Dylan Garrett stated that the development of the Asthmapolis sensor was a challenge as many human factors issues had to be addressed.
In a current study, 500 Louisville residents are using the Asthmapolis sensor. The data that is being compiled will enable physicians to monitor the level of asthma in their patients and also determine the public health level trends. The sensors are attached to existing inhalers and the data sensed is sent by the device to the base station or the patient's mobile phone. The data sent about the location and time can help determine whether a pollen or air quality outbreak have resulted in widespread asthma triggers.