Breath sounds analysis for asthma monitoring: A method for automated detection of flow events from tracheal recordings

Asthma patients often have trouble gaining control of their disease because there is no optimal and reliable method to monitor their progress. While spirometry in the clinic provides adequate information for diagnosis and initial prescription, symptom journals and peak flow meters used at home are not particularly helpful in preventing asthma attacks. The 30-day hospital readmission rate following an asthma attack is 12%. Home spirometers are available, however they can be prohibitively expensive. An affordable, accurate method of monitoring lung function daily at home in concordance with a digital system of communication between physician and patient, may allow earlier changes in management and enable patients to more easily control their asthma. We present the design of a sensor and compatible smart-phone application to monitor lung function by analysis of tracheal breath sound recordings. Human subject testing is pending IRB approval.