Development of a Respiratory Sensor for Animal Model Research

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Project Summary / Abstract Over half a billion people worldwide currently suffer from a chronic respiratory disease and is the third leading cause of deaths and disability, and thus, responsible for 4 million deaths a year. The ability to accurately monitor and measure pulmonary functions in animal models, especially in rodents, is critical to advancing our understanding of normal lung functions and, importantly, the mechanisms driving the development and progression of respiratory diseases. By improving the translation of animal data, new respiratory therapies can be developed, thus allowing clinicians and veterinarians to better care for their patients. However, performing pulmonary function tests in animals, especially in small animals, such as rats and mice, is extremely challenging. Current methods require anesthesia, restraint, or is invasive, thus negatively impacting their breathing patterns. This results in the introduction of errors into the data, resulting in irreproducibility of experiments and reducing their translational impact on improving human health. Additionally, current technologies are expensive and ineffective due to limited capacity. To overcome the current limitations in performing pulmonary function tests in small animals, Aquillius Corporation is proposing proof-of-concept pilot studies to develop a non-invasive sensor capable of real-time monitoring and measuring of pulmonary function. Easily applied to unrestrained and awake animals, the respiratory sensor will reduce stress to both the animals and researchers, thus enhancing the usability and reproducibility of data. Using graphene nanomaterials, the sensor will be cost-effective, robust, and can be adapted for future use in larger animals and in humans. Thus, the proposed development of a respiratory sensor that continuously monitors pulmonary functions will be an invaluable tool that can advance biomedical research and improve patient care. Upon completion of Phase I feasibility studies, we will have developed and validated the respiratory sensor’s capabilities for measuring pulmonary function in rats. We plan to submit for a Phase II proposal to develop manufacturing process controls and refine end-user interface and software with the goal of finalizing a commercially ready respiratory sensor.