UofM Researchers Awarded Prestigious NIH Grant for Innovative Wearable Health Monitoring Device

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 — University of Memphis researchers recently received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant for their work creating an innovative wearable medical device, CanAiry, designed to monitor environmental exposure and assess respiratory response.

Dr. Maryam Karimi, associate professor in the School of Public Health, and Dr. Rouzbeh Nazari, chair and professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, were awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant, which will support the development of the groundbreaking device that checks environmental exposure and gauges respiratory response, specifically targeting patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 11 million Americans are living with COPD. Tennessee has one of the highest COPD rates in the country, CDC data show.

COPD exacerbations lead to 1.5 million emergency room visits annually, contributing to over $24 billion in healthcare costs. Most of these visits could be avoided with better remote patient management and telehealth solutions. CanAiry aims to address this gap by providing a state-of-the-art, remote monitoring system focusing on prevention and early intervention. This device tracks personal exposure to pollutants and respiratory triggers, assesses lung function and transmits critical health data to healthcare providers in real time.

“Our goal is to improve patient outcomes by enabling timely treatment and promoting healthier lifestyle choices through continuous monitoring,” said Karimi. “With CanAiry, healthcare providers can monitor high-risk patients between clinic visits, reducing the risk of hospitalization and ultimately lowering health care costs.”

The CanAiry system offers significant benefits to both healthcare providers and patients by facilitating early intervention and remote management. Physicians can receive real-time alerts when patient readings indicate distress, enabling quicker decision-making and treatment adjustments. Patients, in turn, gain a tool that encourages healthier behaviors and allows them to stay connected with their care teams.

Nazari added, "By focusing on prevention and early identification, we aim to shift the paradigm from reactive to proactive care, reducing the burden on hospitals and improving the quality of life for COPD patients.”

This project represents a collaboration between innovative research and cutting-edge technology poised to make a lasting impact on the health care landscape. The development of CanAiry exemplifies the University of Memphis' commitment to fostering research that enhances public health and improves access to quality care.

####

MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Godwin
jcgodwin@memphis.edu
Media & Public Relations
(o) 901.678.4822 (m) 501.529.7482