A hand-held breath test that aims to transform asthma care has been recognized with the Best Product Award for printed technologies, at the IDTechEx Show, Conference and Exhibition in Berlin on 11-12th April 2018.
The technology, now under development by Applied Nanodetectors Ltd, measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath. It has the potential to assist diagnosis, and to show how well treatment is working to control inflammation.
In addition, the system would include disease management software to make treatment recommendations based on the results.
Dr Victor Higgs PhD, Managing Director of Applied Nanodetectors, said: “We are delighted and honoured to receive the IDTechEx Award for Best Product. We have been developing a new point of care exhaled breath test, which would give asthma patients a rapid diagnosis and personalized treatment plan in less than one minute. Home monitoring of airway inflammation via exhaled breath would enable a more proactive, personalized and cost-effective approach to disease management. Inside the handheld device, we use our printed electronics sensor array platform. It’s a low-cost technology that can monitor many gases simultaneously, in real time and with a high degree of accuracy”.
He added: “We know that time and resources are under great pressure in all healthcare services. That is why our focus is on developing an affordable solution that will give healthcare professionals and their patients fast and relevant answers to improve asthma care.”

Dr Victor Higgs and Mr Raghu Das at IDTecEx show Berlin 2018

Dr Victor Higgs and Mr João Bocas at IDTecEx show Berlin 2018

Dr Victor Higgs and Mr Harry Swan at IDTecEx show Berlin 2018

Dr Victor Higgs receiving IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe 2018 Best Product Award
A breath test for asthma, which could one day provide rapid diagnosis, monitoring and personalized treatment recommendations in less than a minute, will be demonstrated next week. The technology, now under development by Applied Nanodetectors Ltd, will be featured at the IDTechEx Show, Conference and Exhibition in Berlin on 11-12th April 2018.
The handheld device is non-invasive and would be easy to use at the point of care. Inside the device, the company’s low-cost, printed electronics sensor array platform would monitor several exhaled gases simultaneously, in real time.
The test detects small quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath. These VOCs form a distinctive pattern or fingerprint, which can be used for early diagnosis and to monitor how well a person’s asthma medication is controlling inflammation in the airways.In addition, the system would include disease management software to make treatment recommendations based on the findings.
Dr Victor Higgs PhD, Managing Director of Applied Nanodetectors, said: “Some 235 million people worldwide have asthma and unfortunately, many are not getting optimal care and support. There is a critical need to move from a reactive approach to better prevention. We want our technology to empower healthcare professionals and their patients, offering personalized care that meets the needs of the individual while also reducing costs like avoidable hospital admissions.”
Dr Higgs is an expert on sensor technology, and managing director of Applied Nanodetectors. He has been leading and directing innovative businesses in a worldwide market, for more than 30 years. His talk at the IDTechEx Conference, Breathalyser For Daily Asthma Testing, is scheduled for 11:40 – 12:00 on 12 April 2018 at the Estrel Convention Center, Berlin, Estrel Hall A. Meet Applied Nanodetectors at Booth GO4, IDTechEx Show Europe 2018. For more information, visit IDTechEx Show