Project description
Innovation for COPD prevention
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation, and it represents one of the leading causes of casualties worldwide. The common method of prevention is to measure oxygen level in the blood. However, continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation requires specific devices. The EU-funded i4case project proposes an innovative smart solution integrated with a small and easy-to-manage pulse oximeter and data processing platform. The i4case is installed on the patient’s mobile and connected with the physician for 24-hour follow-up. The solution aims to reduce COPD respiratory crises by 70 % and direct and indirect costs by 40 %. The product will expand after gaining CE medical device approval.
Objective
Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death globally. This disease is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. To date, more than 210 millions people suffer COPD with crisis respiratory episodes (exacerbation), 1 to 3 times per year. The easiest way to prevent COPD exacerbations is measuring the oxygen level in blood. Therefore, COPD patients and their families or caregivers need devices for continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation. I4case solves these problems being an innovative smart solution integrated by a small and easy-to-manage pulse oximeter, as well as a smart data processing platform. I4case is located on the user´s mobile, goes with the patients everywhere, and is connected to the physicians who will have a 24h follow-up of their patients. I4case will reduce the 70% of the COPD respiratory crisis, achieving COPD direct and indirect costs savings of 40% (€58.4B just in Europe).
Currently, i4life is following a B2C approach and is targeting the global pulse oximeter market, which is experienced a huge growing, reaching €2B by 2021 (CAGR 6.5%). i4life customers will be COPD patients, their families, and caregivers, focusing at the first stage in old people. More than €18M sales projection has been estimated for the third year of commercialization. I4life will expand after the achievement of CE Medical Device approval. Furthermore, with clinical partners such as SEPAR “Spanish society of pulmonology and thoracic surgery” or the University of Oviedo, i4life is equipped to start full-scale clinical studies.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
33203 GIJON
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.