Groundbreaking Biosensor to Upend COPD Management

A research team at The Lundquist Institute has received a four-year grant exceeding $2.6 million to create a wearable biosensor that continuously analyzes sweat to monitor acute exacerbation risk in people with COPD. The project, led by Dr. Harry Rossiter and in collaboration with Caltech, aims to identify early warning signs of exacerbations through sweat biomarker analysis, potentially revolutionizing COPD management and integrating wearable electronics into chronic disease care.

Pioneering Biosensor to Revolutionize COPD Management

A groundbreaking research team at The Lundquist Institute has secured a substantial four-year grant from the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, supported by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, to develop a transformative wearable biosensor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This groundbreaking technology aims to continuously monitor the risk of acute exacerbations, paving the way for real-time disease management and improved patient outcomes.

Collaborative Innovation for Patient Empowerment

The project, led by Harry Rossiter, PhD, a TLI investigator and professor of respiratory and critical care physiology and medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, is a testament to the power of collaboration. Joining forces with Wei Gao, PhD, a materials scientist and engineer at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the team is harnessing their expertise to create a wearable biosensor that will empower COPD patients with critical health insights.

Early Detection, Proactive Intervention

COPD, a debilitating condition that affects millions worldwide, is characterized by chronic inflammation in the lungs that obstructs airflow. While there is currently no cure for COPD, early detection of acute exacerbations, or flares, is crucial for preventing serious health complications.

The wearable biosensor being developed by Rossiter and Gao will continuously analyze sweat for telltale signs of an impending flare. By identifying these early biomarkers, the sensor will provide real-time guidance on disease management, eliminating the need for frequent blood tests and enabling proactive interventions.

Non-Invasive Monitoring for Improved Health

"The proposed sensor has the potential to revolutionize COPD management but also to impact healthcare by incorporating wearable electronics into chronic disease management," said Rossiter. "Our ultimate goal is to develop a wearable system to preempt [acute exacerbations], providing an early warning system to move treatment earlier in the exacerbation process and thereby reduce patient morbidity, mortality, hospitalization, and healthcare utilization."

The biosensor, worn as a patch, will measure C-reactive protein levels in sweat, an inflammatory marker that can differentiate between mild and moderate flares. The grant will support the development of a more sophisticated sensor capable of measuring multiple molecules in sweat, enhancing its predictive power.

Transforming Healthcare through Wearable Technology

"In partnership with Dr. Harry Rossiter and The Lundquist Institute, our team at Caltech is advancing medical technology with wearable biosensors," said Gao. "Our aim with this project is to transform chronic disease management and push healthcare towards continuous, non-invasive monitoring for better health."

The Lundquist Institute, a renowned biomedical research organization affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles, is committed to developing innovative solutions for complex health challenges. Their collaboration with Caltech underscores the transformative potential of wearable technology in improving the lives of those living with chronic conditions.

Empowering Patients, Improving Outcomes

By empowering patients with real-time monitoring and proactive treatment strategies, the wearable biosensor developed by Rossiter and Gao has the potential to revolutionize COPD management. By reducing the risk of acute exacerbations, improving overall health outcomes, and reducing healthcare utilization, this groundbreaking technology promises to transform the lives of countless COPD patients.