7 Innovative Breakthroughs for COPD Patients

By John Bottrell, RRT

2 min read

There have been a few noteworthy innovations in recent times. These tactics can greatly improve our quality of life with COPD.

Here are seven new innovations that can be very helpful for COPD patients.

New approaches to COPD management

Smart spirometers

These are small, hand-held spirometers that you blow into and that determine your lung function. They can connect to your phone to track and analyze your breathing. You can find these online for various prices.

Smart inhalers

Have you ever had a day end and wondered if you took your inhaler? With smart inhalers, you don't have to worry.

They come with sensors that record when and how you use your meds. Just check the app to be sure.

Plus, if you're okay with it, doctors can review your inhaler use and offer tips for better tips for usage. Additionally, there are currently programs providing free attachments for your inhaler that you can find with a quick search online.

Telemedicine and remote care

You might be quite familiar with this by now, especially with the rise of COVID. Virtual doctor visits let you get medical advice and check-ups without leaving the comfort of your home. This means less traveling and fewer chances of getting sick from being out and about.

Most of us have access to this via our respective health portals, and the price is often comparable to regular doctor visits.

Advances in treatment plans

Ongoing advancements in genetics and biomarker research have opened up the possibility of using a basic blood test to gain insights into your specific subtype of COPD. In the future, doctors may be able to develop personalized management approaches using specific guidelines for each subtype.

This could potentially result in more targeted and effective interventions. We're on the cutting edge of looking into this kind of innovation, but it could be a while before we see results.

Lung restoration therapies

These therapies include stem cell therapy, in which physicians inject stem cells into your body to aid in the regeneration of damaged lung tissue. This is an innovative technique for dealing with the consequences of COPD. Experts are now studying and exploring the possibilities of this treatment.¹

Smart watches

These handy devices aren't just for tracking your steps. They can also monitor your heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep patterns and might even detect falls.

This data can be incredibly useful for managing your overall health, especially if you have COPD. I'm sure many in this community already take advantage of this innovation.

A brighter future

With these innovations on the horizon and some here already, it's an exciting time for those living with COPD. These advancements promise to make a positive impact on our daily lives and health management.

Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, there's always progress to look forward to in the world of COPD care. Have you had any firsthand experience with these innovations? I'm eager to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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tomboyer46 Member
 I might be one of the few but I just do not care for the Telemedicine and remote care. I want to talk to a real person, one that I saw the last time and might be the same one on my next visit. My age (77) might have something to do with it but so be it! My experience with "smart" watches, most of what is mentioned above I believe can be done with today's phones and it's a lot easier to see. Stem cell therapy, that is a subject a lot of folks don't even agree with. Sorry John, I normally agree with all of your articles but not so much this time. 
1. John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 Hi. <inline-mention username="tomboyer46" user-id="4140736"/> No problem. I completely respect what you are saying here -- and I can't say I disagree, as it is far better to be seen by a "real person." I also have concerns about stem cells and have never been able to get myself to keep a watch on, so smart watches aren't much use to me. But, they are options that are now or will soon be available to all of us if we choose to go that route. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator.
annemarie Member
How would I sign up for stem cell therapy for COPD?
1. SamanthaSarube Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="annemarie" user-id="2403739"/>, you're doctor would be the best place to start! They would know what trials for stem cells are currently being conducted that you would qualify for. Here is an article that helps explain the process: <a href='https://copd.net/clinical/clinical-trial-participation' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/clinical/clinical-trial-participation</a>. All the best, Sam S. (COPD team).
Aspen Member
Thanks for the article. Please continue to keep us informed about any breakthrough discoveries. More than anything, we need to know about truly effective medications and equipment as many of us have tried a lot of the ineffective products on the market. Most, only offer minimal help in managing this disease. But hope is on the horizon. The advent of AI and aggressive research may bring us real comfort soon.
John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Hi. <inline-mention username="Aspen" user-id="6759816"/> I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the article. I (we) certainly will continue to keep you informed on any new innovations in COPD research and wisdom. Like you, I think something great is on the horizon for us. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator.