GPs, practice nurses, and pharmacists in Oxford will be part of a pilot project using a new AI-driven assessment technology to identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The traditional test used to diagnose COPD, called spirometry, is currently in short supply across the UK. The new technology, developed by healthcare company TidalSense, combines a high-resolution carbon dioxide sensor called the N-Tidal device with an AI platform to quickly and accurately diagnose COPD in less than five minutes. The trial, conducted in collaboration with Healthier Oxford City Network, will involve up to 600 patients over a 12-week period.
The N-Tidal device has already been shown to provide over 91% accuracy in diagnosing severe COPD from a single breath recording. The goal of the pilot project is to replace spirometry in some NHS diagnostic pathways and move towards an automated diagnostic test. Dr Helen Ashdown, a GP clinical lecturer at the University of Oxford, believes that this ground-breaking medical device has the potential to transform the diagnosis and management of COPD, leading to improved patient outcomes and better care.
According to Dr Ameera Patel, CEO of TidalSense, the reliance on spirometry, an uncomfortable and sometimes ambiguous test, has resulted in high misdiagnosis rates and long waiting times for patients. The hope is that the new technology will provide primary care doctors with accurate and easy-to-perform tests for early and accurate diagnosis, reducing healthcare inefficiencies and costs, as well as improving the quality of life for patients.