Implementation of Paper-based Sensor into Disposible Masks for Continous Respiratory Monitoring for Telemonitoring

COVID-19 is a respiratory based pandemic. With breathlessness being a vital symptom, there is no quantitative method for monitoring essential workers or the most vulnerable individuals for early symptoms. Using Spyras technology incorporated into face masks, we aim to monitor breathing pattern distress and indicate possible deterioration from COVID-19.

With the predicted production volumes of face masks reaching 10 Billion in 2020 only in China(Lai Lin Thomala, 2020) and the high risk of exposure of the people using these masks to COVID-19 a means to predict possible contagion through respiratory analysis embedded within the mask becomes attractive. The benefits of wearing face mask in the fight against the virus are understood and part of clinical practice to wear, countries like Czech Republic, Morocco, and New York are making masks mandatory for the public.

Personal protective equipment is a continuing limited resource. Spyras can integrate its highly accurate paper sensors into 3-ply and FFP2/3 respirator masks with minimal disruption to existing manufacturing practices by replacing the one way valves that exist. A reusable electronics would be contained within a small module that connects to the disposable mask filter and sensor. A mobile application would connect to the sensor in the mask providing respiratory analytics. This mobile app would not only gather respiratory data but also work as a symptoms tracker to monitor coughs, breathlessness and temperature when the user inputs qualitative data. Data collected through a remote app can be passed to a secure cloud platform and provide an interactive data dashboard for users to view their mask wearing and provide information on the filter efficiency and times to change to new filters to maintain filter efficiency.

With funding from Innovate UK, Spyras will be able to redeploy and develop its platform from monitoring the breathing of individuals in sports and hospitals, to face masks at work or outside and take a more measured approach in their individual health profiles.

Spyras can extend app features for post virus support, such as implementation of rehabilitation instruction and measures. This is to reduce the possibility of a 'second wave' of infection when restrictive measures are lifted and to assure individuals with the aftermath of such a global event. Moreover, this would positively impact the recovery of people post COVID-19. As seen from coronavirus outbreaks of the past such as SARS and MERS there will be a need for rehabilitation post healing not only for patients who have been hospitalised in ICU(Chan 2005).

Extending the funding by the 'Extension for Impact' funding will significantly build on the past 3 months of work where early prototypes were placed through clinical ventilation testing to user group testing. This will be achieved by working with our chosen suppliers to produce a scalable paper sensor cartridge from the initial feasibility clinical trial to a device that can be relied upon in user trials. Having low variability between sensors and expertise in place to supply these sensors, will enable to optimal conditions for user testing.