The latest trend in personalized wearable devices is the development of a high-tech paper mask that can monitor one’s breath in real-time. Developed by Caltech’s Wei Gao and his team, this smart mask, known as EBCare, can be used to monitor a range of medical conditions, including respiratory ailments such as asthma, COPD, and post-COVID-19 infections. Unlike other smart masks that monitor physical changes like temperature or humidity, EBCare can analyze the chemicals in exhaled breath condensate to provide valuable health information to patients.
Traditionally, monitoring a patient’s breath required a visit to a clinic for sample collection followed by a waiting period for lab results. With the advent of COVID-19 and increased mask usage, Gao sees an opportunity to leverage this trend for remote monitoring and real-time feedback about one’s health at home. By analyzing chemicals in the breath, the smart mask can provide insights into how well a medical treatment is working, offering a new level of personalized health monitoring.
The challenge of monitoring breath lies in selectively analyzing the chemicals or molecules present. Gao’s mask features a self-cooling system that chills the exhaled breath, allowing it to be condensed into a liquid for analysis. Bioinspired microfluidics technology is then used to transport the liquid to sensors for analysis. The results are wirelessly transmitted to a personal device, making the entire process seamless and convenient for users. The low cost of materials required to produce the mask makes it an accessible option for widespread use.
Human studies conducted by the team focused on patients with asthma or COPD, monitoring levels of nitrite in their breath as a biomarker for inflammation. The masks accurately detected the biomarker, indicating inflammation in the patients’ airways. Additionally, the masks were able to detect blood alcohol levels and ammonium levels related to kidney function, showing promise for monitoring a range of health conditions. Participants reported favorable experiences with the mask, highlighting its potential for real-time health monitoring.
The smart mask platform developed by Gao and his team represents a significant advancement in the field of health monitoring, especially in the context of lung health. The ability to analyze exhaled breath condensate in real-time opens up new possibilities for monitoring various health conditions. The study was funded by several organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, underscoring the potential importance of this new technology. The researchers intend to expand the capabilities of the mask to monitor additional markers related to different health conditions, making it a versatile general health-monitoring platform.
