TidalSense has secured $19 million to expand N-Tidal Diagnose, a handheld device that can detect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from normal breathing in less than five minutes. This device offers a modern alternative to spirometry, which dates back to 1846.
Chief executive Ameera Patel developed the device after waiting a long time for her own asthma diagnosis. With this funding round, total investment reaches $40 million. The money will help TidalSense expand within the NHS, enter the US market, and work on an asthma diagnostic tool.
More than 600,000 people in the UK are waiting for a formal COPD diagnosis. Over half of NHS regions do not have enough spirometry capacity to meet the need.
The standard test for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which is the third-leading cause of death worldwide, was created in 1846. The test needs forceful exhalation, takes almost an hour including training and recovery, and must be done by a specialist.
Ameera Patel faced these challenges herself, which inspired her to create a faster option. Now, her startup TidalSense has raised $19 million to bring this solution to more people around the world.
